GameStop launches second wave of Shiny Koraidon, Miraidon codes

GameStop has launched a second wave of in-store code distributions for Shiny Koraidon and Shiny Miraidon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet after the initial rollout last month left many players unable to obtain the limited-time rewards. The first distribution, which began September 26, quickly ran out at many U.S. locations and produced a secondary market for the physical code cards; GameStop began issuing the second round of codes in early October and said the promotion will continue through October 15 while supplies last.

GameStop said the second wave differs from the first in two key ways: the codes are printed on receipts rather than on collectible cardstock, and each store has been supplied with a limited number of codes. The retailer told customers that stores received roughly 50 codes per location for the first wave and received additional, similarly capped allocations for the second wave. GameStop also said codes are limited to one per customer. In a social media exchange, a GameStop account wrote, "That decision is made by Pokémon," attributing the per-store limits to The Pokémon Company International.

The restrictions have drawn criticism from players and collectors who...