McDonald’s new Pokémon Happy Meal: When, how to get one in Mississippi

Inside each McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal there’s one of 15 miniature Happy Meal box-shaped toy that resemble a pokémon such as Pikachu, Rowlet or Sprigatito.

The Pokémon Company

USA TODAY Network, Reuters

What’s your favorite Pokémon? You might get to catch it as a card or a McDonald’s Happy Meal box toy.

Pokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The game franchise includes iconic characters like Pikachu, Squirtle, Charizard and Bulbasaur. Products include popular movies, a TV show, a card game, several video games, toys and more.

The Happy Meal will include one of 15 toys and two Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, according to a news release from McDonald’s.

The pairing is the latest of the fast-food chain’s beloved pop-culture partnerships. In the last year: Halloween Boo Buckets featured Disney Villains. Happy Meal toys mashed up “SpongeBob” and “One Piece”, and another set mixed Hello Kitty and Godzilla characters. K-Pop Demon Hunters meals came with trading cards, and last Christmas, The Grinch combos came with exclusive socks.

These meals are only available for a limited time. Pokémon cards and toys are popular with collectors. Here’s what you need to know about where and when they’re available.

When can you get McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal in Mississippi?

The new Pokémon Happy Meals went on sale Tuesday, Nov. 10. They’re available at participating restaurants.

No end date was announced. But they’ll be available while supplies last.

What’s in the McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal?

In addition to what comes with a traditional Happy Meal (hamburger or chicken nuggets alongside a drink, fries and/or apples), the Pokémon Happy Meal will come in one of three boxes inspired by Pikachu, Umbreon or Torchic.

Inside, you will find one of 15 miniature Happy Meal box-shaped toys that resemble the following Pokémon:

PikachuBulbasaurCharmanderSquirtleRowletSprigatitoEeveeWeedleUmbreonTorchicPiplupMunchlaxMinccinoEspurrSobble

Guillaume Huin, McDonald’s senior marketing director, posted a note and a photo of the boxes, toys and cards on X on Thursday, Oct. 29. He pointed out that the mini Happy Meal Pokémon toys “can be turned into charms you can clip onto your keys, bags, or pretty much anywhere” and included a picture of them attached to the belt loop of his pants.

Will the McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal include Pokémon cards?

Yes. Each Happy Meal comes with two Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, according to The Pokémon Company. There are 15 collectible cards in total, including seven foil cards.

Each Happy Meal will also include two of 15 trading cards that feature the following Pokémon:

DecidueyeChandelurePalafinPikachuMimikyuLucarioHawluchaTyranitarAbsolZoroarkMetagrossJirachiEeveeSnorlaxWooloo

What is Pokémon?

If you’re a millennial or a Gen Zer, you’ve heard of Pokémon and likely played the games or watched the anime after you got home from school.

The franchise started as a Japanese Game Boy game in 1996. Known for the catchphrase “Gotta catch ’em all!”, it’s now a media empire. The game, then show, spawned an endless supply of toys and other merch.

Pokémon is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties worldwide, comparable to Disney characters and Super Mario Bros.

How many Pokémon are there?

In November 2026, there are officially 1,025 pocket monsters. Many are household names. Every single one has its own strengths, weaknesses and lore.

Just don’t confuse them with Digimon or Yu-Gi-Oh!, two other popular battle-based gaming systems that have shows, trading cards and video games.

How many McDonald’s locations are in Mississippi?

According to ScrapeHero, there are 138 McDonald’s restaurants in 90 cities.

Among fast-food chains in Mississippi, it ranks fourth for the number of locations in the state. Krispy Krunchy Chicken is No. 3 with 167 locations in 100 cities. Subway has 279 locations in 141 cities. And the No. 1 chain with the most locations near you is Hunt Brothers Pizza, with 750 locations in 291 cities.

Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA TODAY. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: McDonald’s new Pokémon Happy Meal: When, how to get one in Mississippi

Reporting by Julia Gomez, Mike Snider and Bonnie Bolden, Mississippi Clarion Ledger / Mississippi Clarion Ledger

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published November 11, 2026 at 6:04 AM.