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Why GameStop’s Shiny Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Giveaway Frustrated Fans

GameStop’s U.S. giveaway of Shiny Miraidon and Shiny Koraidon ended in 2025. Reports of scarce in-store codes and resale listings fueled player frustration; no return is confirmed.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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GameStop’s U.S. giveaway of Shiny Koraidon and Shiny Miraidon ran from September 26 through October 15, 2025, and has ended. Reports that store codes ran out quickly, followed by resale listings, frustrated players who had to visit a participating store to get one. No source confirms that the codes remain redeemable or that the promotion will return.

What the GameStop Pokémon giveaway offered

GameStop distributed physical code cards through participating U.S. stores for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. According to GameSpot’s event announcement, the promotion ran September 26–October 15, 2025. The version mapping was:

  • Pokémon Scarlet: Shiny Miraidon
  • Pokémon Violet: Shiny Koraidon

The giveaway was a retailer code distribution, not an item automatically delivered to every player. Getting a code required visiting a participating U.S. GameStop while codes were available.

Why players were frustrated

Codes reportedly ran out quickly

GameSpot reported that the original illustrated cards were depleted quickly at some stores. It also reported a second wave distributed on receipts and attributed to GameStop an estimate of about 50 codes per store for that wave. That figure is an approximate statement reported by GameSpot, not an audited count of national inventory or proof that every store received the same number.

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Pokémon Scarlet - Nintendo Switch - Standard Edition
  • New Pokémon to Discover - Learn new details about Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly—the three Pokémon from which you’ll choose your first partner—along with other wonderful new Pokémon, including the Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon!
  • The World of Pokémon Has Evolved - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet offer an open-world experience that only the Pokémon series can deliver—one welcoming even to newcomers to the series.​
  • You can experience a new style of adventure, with a world that you’re free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story. You will, of course, journey to hone your skills as a Pokémon Trainer, but many more discoveries and stories await you. Meet a variety of people and Pokémon, and adventure in the world of Pokémon the way you want to.
  • A Deeper Experience with Multiplayer* Gameplay - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet allow multiplayer gameplay with up to four players.​ Along with series staples, such as trading and battling Pokémon, you will be able to explore the various locations of the region in these games with other players. You can discover new Pokémon and explore unfamiliar areas with your friends and family, opening the door to an adventure more precious and fun than ever!
  • Meet the characters - As one of the main characters, you’ll set off on your adventure. Your outfit will vary depending on whether you play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Who knows what kind of story awaits you? For the first time in the series, one of two different professors will appear in your game depending on the version you choose to play.

In-person access and resale listings sharpened the complaints

The combination of a limited reported supply and an in-person pickup requirement meant players who could not reach a participating store in time had no equivalent online route established by the coverage. GameSpot also reported resale listings for codes, adding to complaints about scarcity. These reports help explain the frustration, but they do not establish how many stores ran out or how many players were affected.

Some Pokémon forum users described the event as “not distributing enough codes” and questioned the point of a promotion whose codes were unavailable locally. Those posts are individual accounts, not a representative survey or evidence that every store had the same experience. One forum discussion mentions October 14; the reported event coverage gives October 15 as the end date.

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Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet Double Pack - Nintendo Switch
  • If you purchase either the physical or digital double pack, you will receive a 200 Poké Ball bonus via download codes* that can be entered in the Mystery Gift** feature in your game!
  • The packaged version of the double pack includes 1 physical Pokémon Scarlet game and 1 physical Pokémon Violet game
  • Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
  • Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea

GameStop said the quantity was not its decision

In its October 6 report, GameSpot quoted GameStop’s X account responding to a question about the quantity: “Not our decision.” The report also said GameStop described its supply as limited by what The Pokémon Company made available. No allocation record in the available reporting independently establishes how quantities were chosen or why.

Can you still get or redeem a code?

The published distribution window ended October 15, 2025. The sources available for this article do not confirm that codes are still redeemable, that any stores have remaining codes, or that the promotion will be reissued. Pokémon Support says future events are announced on pokemon.com when details are public; it does not provide confirmation of unannounced events or possible re-releases.

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  • Included is the following: Pokémon Violet for Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, 8 pack of PremGear 4 different Colors Thumb Grips (Joystick Cap Covers Compatible with Nintendo Switch/Lite/OLED), PremGear 24 Slot Game card Case/Holder with 2 Slot MicroSD Memory Card Adapter and PremGear Quality Cleaning Cloth
  • As the main character, you can explore the wide-open world of Pokémon Violet at your own pace
  • In these games, you’ll be able to enjoy the iconic adventures of the Pokémon series, like battling against wild Pokémon and trying to catch them!
  • Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
  • Choose either Sprigatito, the Grass Cat Pokémon, Fuecoco, the Fire Croc Pokémon, or Quaxly, the Duckling Pokémon to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through this new region
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to check for future Pokémon distributions

For a future event, check the official Pokémon announcements for the event dates, eligible region, participating retailer, and delivery method before making a trip. Pokémon Support notes that retailer, regional, and date details can vary. Useful details to look for include whether distribution is online or in person, whether a code is required or the Mystery Gift is delivered directly, and whether an allocation or per-person limit is announced. Those are practical checks, not confirmed features of any future event.

Pokémon Support’s promotion-partner guidance explains that promotions may involve partners, while its event guidance directs players to official announcements for upcoming details.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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