Pokémon has officially announced a new spin-off game scheduled for release in November 2026. Are you, perhaps, a rocket launcher? is a new board game from Pokémon and Yoka Games which focuses on the infamous criminal organization from the Kanto region. Although the game is only slated for a Japanese release at the moment, it may be released worldwide in the future.
Despite Pokémons Gen 10 games, Pokemon winds and wavesnot launching until late 2027, the series has had a strong showing this year for its 30th anniversary. Pokemon Pokopia quickly became the highest ranked Pokémon games ever released in March, and Pokemon Master brought competitive battles to a wide audience of Nintendo Switch and mobile users. As for the contents of the table top, Pokemon TCG saw the release of the Ascended Heroes, Perfect Order and Chaos Rising sets, with a special 30th Celebration set coming in September. Now the tabletop fun continues with this new Team Rocket themed board game.
Pokemon reveals new rocket-themed tabletop game coming in November 2026
The official Japanese Pokémon news account on X published the announcement of Are you, perhaps, a rocket launcher? which included its planned Japanese release window of November 2026. Details about the game are sparse at the moment, with the post telling fans to stay tuned for more information. The teaser image of the announcement shows a hood Pokémon trainer with his face obscured next to a Pikachu and Koffing, one of Team Rocket's signature Pokémon.
Who is that character?
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The image also shows artwork of two different cards included in the game, both of which feature Pikachu and what appears to be the trainer sending them into battle. Although it is not clear exactly what kind of game Are you, perhaps, a rocket launcher? will be, the name implies some kind of social deduction game which Among us or the classic one Werewolf table games. Pokémon have yet to dip their toes into the social deduction genre, so this would be a big step for the series.
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Image via Niantic -
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Team Rocket is a notorious criminal organization native to the Kanto region in Gen 1 Pokémon game, but appear as antagonists in Gen 2's Johto region as well. Usually, Team Rocket shenanigans are about stealing unsuspecting trainers' strong Pokémon for their boss, Giovanni, but the Team Rocket leader has bigger plans in place involving the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo. After defeating trainers at Nugget Bridge in the Kanto region game, a Team Rocket Grunt will attempt to recruit the player into their organization. In it Pokémon anime, Team Rocket's Jessie, James and Meowth pursue Ash and his Pikachu.
This board game is just the latest in the Team Rocket theme Pokémon content released in recent years. Last year, Japan saw the release of Glory of Team Rocket Pokemon TCG set, featuring cards from the Destined Rivals English set. Team Rocket also played a prominent role in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen The Nintendo Switch re-released on Pokemon Day earlier this year, and players can find references to Team Rocket in the Pokemon Pokopia also.
