GameStop has responded to backlash over the Shiny Koraidon and Miraidon distribution for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, after fans accused the retailer and The Pokemon Company of mishandling the event and enabling scalpers.
The limited-time giveaway offers players exclusive codes for Shiny versions of the game’s two Legendary Pokemon. These codes are the only legitimate way to obtain a Shiny Koraidon or Miraidon, but the initial rollout quickly descended into chaos. Stores across the United States received special code cards to hand out to customers, but there was no limit on how many each person could take.
As a result, scalpers reportedly collected stacks of cards and began reselling the codes online for inflated prices. Following widespread backlash, GameStop announced a second wave of codes, this time printed directly on receipts instead of separate cards.
GameStop blames Pokemon Company for botched distribution
According to GameStop, each store received approximately 50 codes in total, printed on receipts rather than physical cards. In a response posted to social media, the retailer explained that it was following instructions from The Pokemon Company International, adding that distribution quantities and policies were “made by Pokemon.”
However, the clarification did little to calm the backlash. Fans accused both GameStop and The Pokemon Company of creating artificial scarcity for what is effectively a digital reward. Within hours of the event beginning, codes started appearing on eBay for around 20 dollars each, as scalpers resold their extra receipts to players unable to secure one in person.
Many questioned why the event was not handled through a Mystery Gift or online redemption method, as was done for previous Shiny distributions like Zacian and Zamazenta in Pokemon Sword and Shield. Players also reported some stores requiring a purchase to receive a code, despite GameStop’s own messaging that no purchase was necessary.
As frustration grows, fans are calling for The Pokemon Company to make the Shiny Koraidon and Miraidon codes available digitally to ensure fair access. For now, GameStop says the promotion will continue “while supplies last,” though many locations have already run out of codes entirely.
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