The Pokémon Company’s highly anticipated shiny distribution for Koraidon and Miraidon has faced immediate setbacks as shortages and scalping disrupt availability. Announced on September 12, the event marks the first official opportunity for players to obtain the shiny versions of these box legendaries. Shiny Koraidon is exclusive to Pokémon Violet, while shiny Miraidon is available for Pokémon Scarlet.
Distribution began at GameStop in the United States, EB Games in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and approved retailers in Japan. Participating stores are handing out physical Mystery Gift code cards on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is scheduled to run until October 15, but many players have already been unable to secure a code.
Shortages Hit Within Hours
Reports surfaced quickly that GameStop locations ran out of code cards within hours of opening on the event’s first day. Despite the month-long timeframe, a large portion of players have been left empty-handed, with no guarantee of restocks. This has fueled growing frustration across the community, especially for fans who cannot easily travel to physical retailers.
Scalpers Move In
Almost immediately, code cards began appearing on resale sites such as eBay, with listings starting at $40. This has sparked backlash within the community, with many accusing opportunistic scalpers of exploiting a flawed distribution system. The sharp resale markup has only worsened the frustration for players unable to participate through official means.
Community Calls for Alternatives
Fans have criticized the retailer-based rollout as exclusionary and consumer-unfriendly. Suggestions for future events include in-game alternatives such as limited-time Tera Raids or global online Mystery Gift distributions that would bypass physical supply issues and reduce scalping opportunities. Some community members are encouraging players to submit feedback directly to The Pokémon Company through support channels.
Context and Remaining Options
The timing of the event coincides with the release of the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution expansion, which some fans believe may have encouraged scalpers and collectors to line up early. As an alternative, the ongoing Shiny Treasures of Ruin Mystery Gift event runs until September 30 and is accessible without retailer involvement.
Whether The Pokémon Company will adjust its distribution approach in response to these issues remains uncertain. For now, fans are left scrambling for limited codes or hoping for a more accessible system in the future.
