Polaroid turns Pokémon’s 30th anniversary into a full instant-photography ecosystem

Our guess yesterday about what Polaroid was gearing up to release was correct, but we didn’t expect just how big this launch would be. As we surmised, Polaroid has released a Pokémon-themed Go Gen 3 camera, but the launch also includes two additional cameras, three special packs of film and three accessories. Polaroid calls it its biggest collaboration yet, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, the hugely popular franchise that spans video games, anime and trading cards.

The Polaroid Now Gen 3 Pokémon edition takes its styling from a Poké Ball, with bold red, white and black colors.Polaroid

The core of the launch is three limited-edition cameras, which cover both the full-size Polaroid Now Gen 3 and the tiny Go Gen 3, which was released earlier this summer. The Now Gen 3 version, which takes full-size i-Type film, takes the styling of a Poké Ball, with bold red, white and black colors. 

The Go Gen 3 editions are more character-focused, with one version for Pikachu and the other for Sylveon.Polaroid

For those who want something a bit more character-focused, the Go Gen 3 is available in a Pikachu-styled version with a bold yellow body and a hand strap shaped like Pikachu’s lightning-bolt tail. Or you can go for the Sylveon Edition, which features that Pokémon’s soft pink, blue and white colors. All three cameras also feature Poké Ball-shaped shutter buttons for an added thematic touch. 

Polaroid also released a limited-edition i-Type pack of film and two themed Go sets, all of which also feature custom dark slides. Polaroid

The cameras aren’t all, either. If you already own a Polaroid camera, you don’t have to miss out on the fun, as the company also released three limited-edition packs of film, one full-sized i-Type and two packs of the smaller Go film. The i-Type film, like the camera, is more broadly Pokémon themed, with frames that feature iconic characters like Charmander, Clefairy and Squirtle. The Go film matches the theme of each of the Go cameras, with one pack focused on Sylveon and the other for Pikachu. Each pack comes with custom dark slides designed around the collaboration as well. 

The limited-edition release also includes a Polaroid Go Poké Ball camera case and photo album, along with a strap that works with both cameras. Polaroid

Finally, Polaroid also has three accessories for Pokémon fans. There’s a Polaroid Go Poké Ball camera case and Poké Ball photo album for photos from the Go, along with a Pokémon edition camera strap, which is compatible with both the Now Gen 3 and Go Gen 3.

Polaroid

The Polaroid Now Gen 3 Pokémon costs $140, while the Go Gen 3 Pikachu and Sylveon editions are $100, all of which represent a $10 premium over the standard versions. Likewise, the limited-edition film is slightly more expensive, with the i-Type coming in at $23 and the Go film at $25 for a double pack. 

The Polaroid x Pokémon collection is only available in limited quantities, though Polaroid didn’t provide any specifics about how many are available. Pre-orders open August 25, with a full release on October 5. 

About the Author: Abby Ferguson holds an MFA in photography and blends a fine-art background with extensive editorial and commercial experience. She built and led an in-house imaging program for a large vacation rental company and has served as an associate editor at Popular Photography. She also teaches at a local community college and serves on its Photographic Technology Program Advisory Board, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the medium.