Finally expanding beyond Asia: Pokémon Center stores are coming to new countries

There are currently 20 official Pokémon Center stores – and anyone hoping to visit one has to travel to Asia. That's because 18 of them are located in Japan, with one each in Singapore and Taipei. However, as The Pokémon Company has now announced in an official press release, that is about to change. A permanent Pokémon store is scheduled to open in London by 2029. And it won't be the only one: The company describes it as the "first of several stores" planned outside Asia.

Which other countries The Pokémon Company plans to expand into, and when those stores might open, remains completely unclear. One particularly interesting question is whether the company will initially focus on Europe or also bring Pokémon Center stores to the US and other markets. On Reddit, fans are calling for stores in cities such as New York, Berlin and Sydney. Some are also wondering why it took The Pokémon Company so long to announce its first Pokémon store outside Asia in the first place.

What can you find in Pokémon Center stores?

First and foremost, the stores are packed with merchandise featuring Pikachu, Charizard and countless other Pokémon. From plush toys and collectibles to trading cards and clothing, there's practically everything a Pokémon Trainer could wish for. Many locations also feature elaborately designed themed areas, enormous Pokémon statues and special events. However, The Pokémon Company has yet to reveal what exactly the planned London store will offer.

One of the largest Pokémon stores is Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in Japan. The following video offers a walkthrough:

As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart - in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I'm not sitting at my computer, I'm probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life - namely sitting for long periods - at the local swimming pool.