Pokemon fans always have new exciting merchandise and collectibles tied to the series to look forward to, including adorable plush versions of Pokemon. Based on recent leaks, it appears that Build-a-Bear will be continuing its Pokemon party with a new Gengar plush toy.
Build-a-Bear and Pokemon have proven to go well together, with years' worth of Pokemon releases coming from the customizable plush company. Of course, Pokemon plush toys in general are a popular collectible among the community, even leading to oddities like a giant tongued Gengar that fans can take a nap on.
With the end of summer rapidly approaching, many are now looking ahead to fall and Halloween. This plush is likely launching in time for the festivities, though no official release date or price point have been set yet, and Build-a-Bear hasn't yet revealed it officially at the time of this writing.
Like other Build-a-Bear Pokemon collaborations, buyers can pick up the base Gengar plush, a costume decorated with purple Pokeballs for it to wear, and a 5-in-1 soundchip with audio recordings that can be played back. Thus far, fan response seems to be primarily positive, with many eager to pick up the purple Pokemon.
According to the post, the release of this particular plush will be limited to online sales only. While some of these have been online exclusives in the past, the choice to make Gengar solely available online is quite possibly due in part to reducing the risk of overcrowding in Build-a-Bear stores while the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing.
While Pokemon fans have had plenty of opportunities to collect plush toys from Build-a-Bear, the appreciation for Nintendo properties hasn't stopped there. Build-a-Bear has previously associated with Nintendo to produce Super Mario toys, as well as partnering with Animal Crossing: New Horizons earlier this year. While there are tons of choices for plush toys from these properties, it seems that Nintendo gamers are still eager to see what these two companies will think up next.
Despite its introduction in the first generation of Pokemon games, Gengar continues to be not only a popular pick for battles, but a fan favorite, as well. Fans of the Ghost-type Pokemon are likely to have even more to look forward to this year, as Gengar often plays a role in Pokemon GO's spooky Halloween festivities. While it's currently unknown what Niantic is working on for this year, Pokemon GO's Halloween season featured Mega Gengar in 2020.