what's Vibes TCG?
Vibes TCG is a hybrid digital and physical trading card game developed by Orange Cap Games, centered around the popular Pudgy Penguins NFT intellectual property. Players collect, trade, and battle with unique Pudgy Penguin cards, each featuring distinct abilities, rarities, and strategic elements such as defense, speed, or resource management. The game emphasizes deck-building, where players gather fish and manage rods to attract penguins to their huddle, competing in battles that require tactical decisions. It supports both solo play against AI and online PvP ranked modes, with weekly leaderboards and organized play events like zonal championships leading to world finals. The ecosystem blends traditional TCG mechanics with web3 features, including play-to-earn rewards powered by the Pudgy Penguins token ($PENGU), limited-edition promos, and integrations like licensing user-submitted Pudgy assets for future sets. Released in Q4 2024 with the first set "Enter the Huddle," Vibes offers immersive gameplay across platforms like Epic Games Store and its official site, fostering a community through tournaments, partnerships with grading services like PSA, and global events. Future expansions, such as Set 3 in 2026, continue to evolve the strategic depth and collectible appeal.
Vibes TCG secured $3.5M from Yuga Labs/Igloo; Moonbirds integrates as second IP after Pudgy Penguins.
Links
x.com/vibes_tcgTeased expansion to a major big box retailer (Walmart, Target, or Best Buy) in 2026.
Vibes TCG raised $3.5M in funding from Yuga Labs and Igloo approximately six months ago, with Moonbirds integrating as the second IP after Pudgy Penguins.
Collaboration with Moonbirds confirmed, with BIRB launching in early Q1 2026.
Over 50% of Legend of the Lils cards submitted to CGC Cards achieve Pristine 10 grade (highest possible), totaling 111 pristine cards in one submission.
Major TCG retailer StarCityGames restocks Vibes TCG Bunkus cards (12 units) that sell out in under 3 hours.
Unlocked all cards for gameplay during the Full Set Frenzy event.
The collaborative promo card with Pudgy Penguins and Jarritos debuts at Art Basel.
The Vibes x Jarritos promo card is available for pickup this week at Pengu Pier in Miami.
Partnership with Pudgy Penguins produces cards featuring famous artwork references, with free cards given away at YGG Play Summit.
Vibes TCG creates a promo card from a Jarritos x PENGU collaboration.
Community member @Oxtraxex wins the Championship of the Americas tournament.
Vibes TCG final tournament takes place at YGG Play Summit expo today, alongside cosplay competition.
The Asian Championship tournament is currently live.
A major event marks the culmination of the first competitive season.
Vibes TCG nominated for awards.
$30 Claw machine stocked with 1st Edition and Legend of the Lils booster boxes as new distribution point.
Applications for Set 3 close in one week, with OverpassIP managing the submission process for Pudgy holders.
Unopened Season 1 boxes sell for $700 each on the secondary market. Season 2 boxes have begun arriving to customers.
The Pengu Tour launches this weekend with four events at Books A Million and 2nd and Charles locations across the Southern U.S., with attendees receiving exclusive promo cards from the retail partnership.
Three competitive tournaments scheduled with $1K prize at SCG Baltimore on October 26th, $20K European Championships in Rome on November 9th, and $20K Asian Championships at YGG Play Summit Manila on November 21-22.
Special promo cards become available in Singapore with official signing event, expanding physical distribution beyond US and Hong Kong.
The licensing program accepts both regular Pudgy Penguins and Lil Pudgys for the next season, with selected submissions earning $200 per penguin.
Licensing program for Set 3 launches, allowing users to submit Vibes TCG cards and Lil Pudgys to be featured, with over 140 applications already received.
Project featured on eBay live stream at New York Comic Con with content creators opening products.
A 2nd Edition 2025 card featuring Pudgy Penguins is found in Hong Kong, marking the first international distribution outside the United States and introduction of a second edition product line.
First Edition Booster Boxes become available as prizes in the $30 Claw promotion on Beezie.io platform.
Cards are available for pulling on the Beezie.io platform, representing a new digital distribution channel.
High-value legendary card redemption activity occurs through SegMint platform with a special guest appearance collaboration featuring AgniesskaS.
Individual reports significant value appreciation on boxes purchased at retail locations in New York.
Physical distribution expands to 40+ bodegas across NYC with a new promotional campaign offering free online packs to customers who photograph the product in stores.
Active OTC trading deals for cards are occurring internationally across New York, Hong Kong, and France within a single day, indicating strong global demand amid apparent supply constraints.
Distribution expands to Switzerland with 10 boxes of Legends of The Lils delivered to PudgySwiss HQ.
Booster boxes are experiencing a supply crunch with full allocation to distributors completed and no second wave of supply planned. Each set has only 15,000 total booster boxes, with remaining inventory primarily held by brick and mortar stores.
Cards sell for $12K, indicating strong high-end market activity.
Legend of Lils products launch in Philippines retail market through Unbox Greenhills and The Office Estancia locations.
New product 'Legend of the LilPudgys' launches with multiple live commerce streams for distribution.
Physical card packs now available in NYC bodega retail locations.
Set 2 packs launch with immediate sellout on Whatnot platform during release day livestreams.
Sketch cards outbid traditional collectibles including Taylor Swift memorabilia in current Goldin Co auction.
New card collaboration 'Lil Who Hoops' launches with Pudgy Penguins and CGC Cards for 2025.
New Nyan Cat card collaboration announced with creator PRguitarman for upcoming set
StarCityGames expands from pre-orders to listing single cards for direct sale.
First serialized physical cards launching at Sports Cards Nationals with CGC Cards, featuring $500 bounty program.
Major TCG retailer StarCityGames launches Set 2 pre-orders with homepage feature.
New product 'Legend of the Lils' launches with exclusive in-person preorders at Ocapgames office.
New partnership with YGG Pilipinas launches Asian Championship at YGG Play Summit in November.