Pikachu is officially a Polaroid camera — here’s how and where you can buy one

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The Pokémon x Polaroid collection puts Pikachu and Sylveon designs on the compact Go Generation 3 and transforms the larger Now Generation 3 into a Poké Ball-inspired camera. PolaroidPokémon just launched limited-edition Polaroid cameras, including Pikachu, Sylveon and Poké Ball designs. At the time of publishing, the cameras are out of stock at Polaroid and Pokémon Center, but are available for purchase at Best Buy.

Ten years ago, you might have found me roaming around Washington Square Park with my brother, chasing Pokémon when the Pokémon Go app first came out. Around that same time, I was carrying around the Polaroid camera I got in middle school, the beginning of what would become a longtime interest in film photography. If you had told me then that those interests would morph into a collaboration, I would have thought it’d be harder to catch than Mew).

Fortunately, today fans of the brand can catch this collab if they’re fast. In honor of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, Polaroid and The Pokémon Company have teamed up on a limited-edition collection of instant cameras, film and accessories that combines two very different kinds of nostalgia. The nine-piece collection, which Polaroid is calling its biggest collaboration to date, includes a Poké Ball-inspired Polaroid Now Generation 3 and Pikachu and Sylveon versions of the smaller Polaroid Go Generation 3.

As someone who still shoots film and is a huge anime fan, this is one collaboration I was especially excited to see. And these aren’t just collectible cameras with Pokémon designs slapped on them. The Now Gen 3 has an upgraded two-lens autofocus system and improvements to its light meter and ranging sensor, while the compact Go Gen 3 has a built-in selfie mirror, self-timer and double-exposure mode.

Best overall(Waitlist) Polaroid Now Generation 3 Pokémon Poké Ball Edition$undefined$139.99PolaroidLearn moreBest for travelPolaroid Go Generation 3 Pokémon Pikachu Edition$undefined$99.99Best BuyLearn moreBest accessoryPolaroid Go Photo Album Pokémon Edition$undefined$24.99PolaroidLearn moreRelatedselectedselectedOwala’s Pokémon-themed tumblers are already sold out online — here’s how you can get your hands on oneWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

Preorders for the Pokémon x Polaroid collection opened on Aug. 25 and the full collection launched globally in limited quantities on Oct. 5. The collection is available through Polaroid, with Pokémon Center also carrying the collaboration in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. The Poké Ball Polaroid Now Generation 3 costs $139.99, and the Pikachu and Sylveon Polaroid Go Generation 3 cameras each cost $99.99.

The Poké Ball Now Generation 3 uses full-size Polaroid i-Type film, while the smaller Pikachu and Sylveon Go Generation 3 cameras use Polaroid Go film — the cameras do not come with film so you’ll need to purchase it separately.

$99.99Best Buy$99.99Polaroid$99.99Pokémon CenterPikachu takes over Polaroid’s smallest instant analog camera for this special-edition Go Generation 3. Unlike the larger Now, the Go uses Polaroid’s miniature Go film, so both the camera and resulting prints are smaller and easier to carry around. It has a built-in selfie mirror, self-timer for group photos and double-exposure mode, which lets you combine two exposures into a single image. Polaroid also upgraded the Gen 3 model’s optical system and flash to improve performance across different lighting conditions.

$99.99Best Buy$99.99Polaroid$99.99Pokémon CenterThe Sylveon Edition gives you the same compact Go Generation 3 camera as the Pikachu version but with a design inspired by the fairy-like Pokémon. It uses Polaroid Go film to produce miniature versions of the brand’s signature square instant photos and is small enough to bring along for travel, festivals and everyday outings. Like the Pikachu model, it has a built-in selfie mirror, self-timer and double-exposure mode for more creative shots.

$139.99Polaroid$139.99Pokémon CenterWhat to knowAt the time of publishing, this version of the camera is out of stock

This special-edition version of Polaroid’s Now Generation 3 takes inspiration from arguably the most recognizable object in the Pokémon universe: the Poké Ball. Beyond the design, this is the most advanced and largest of the three cameras in the collection. The Now Gen 3 shoots Polaroid’s full-size i-Type film and has an upgraded two-lens autofocus system that automatically selects the appropriate lens for your shot.

Polaroid also improved the camera’s light meter, ranging sensor and flash to produce sharper photos across more lighting conditions, including bright environments. It has a self-timer and double-exposure mode, plus a tripod mount, and it recharges via USB-C.

$22.99Polaroid$22.99Pokémon CenterDesigned for the Poké Ball Now Generation 3 and other compatible i-Type cameras, this special-edition color film adds Pokémon-themed frames and custom dark slides to Polaroid’s classic full-size instant photos.

$24.99Polaroid$24.99Pokémon CenterPair the Pikachu Go camera with its matching special-edition film, which produces the miniature instant photos unique to Polaroid’s Go line with Pokémon-themed frames and custom dark slides.

$24.99Polaroid$24.99Pokémon CenterThe Sylveon version of Polaroid’s Go film gives the camera’s miniature instant prints a matching Pokémon treatment. Each pack is designed for the Polaroid Go line, including the limited-edition Sylveon and Pikachu cameras.

$24.99Polaroid$24.99Pokémon CenterThis Pokémon-themed camera case is sized specifically for the compact Polaroid Go, making it an easy add-on if you plan to carry either limited-edition Go camera while traveling or for shooting while on the go.

$24.99Polaroid$24.99Pokémon CenterRather than leaving your mini Polaroids in a drawer (or worse, just loose in your bag), put them in this Pokémon-themed album. It’s a stylish and on-theme dedicated place to store and display photos shot on the Go camera.

$14.99Polaroid$14.99Pokémon CenterThe least expensive piece in the collection is also one of the most versatile: The Pokémon camera strap is compatible with both Polaroid models featured in the collaboration, so you can use it with either the Now or Go.

The biggest difference between the Pokémon cameras is less about design, and more about what they do. The Poké Ball edition uses Polaroid’s Now Generation 3, while the Pikachu and Sylveon cameras use the smaller Go Generation 3.

I’d recommend the Now to someone who primarily wants a Polaroid camera and considers the Pokémon design a bonus. I’d recommend the Go to someone who wants something more compact, less expensive or simply loves Pikachu or Sylveon.

Functionally, both are special editions of the Polaroid Go Generation 3, so the primary difference is their Pokémon-inspired design. Both use Polaroid Go film and have features including a selfie mirror, self-timer and double-exposure mode.

Yes, as long as you buy the correct format for the camera. The special Pokémon film is an aesthetic option rather than what makes the cameras function: the Now Gen 3 is compatible with i-Type film, while the Go Gen 3 uses Polaroid Go film.

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Jem AlabiJem is the editorial operations associate for NBC Selected.