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Singapore Cable-Car Goes Pikachu-Powered: Pokemon-Infused Skies Launch

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 0:05 GMT by Asia One

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Pokémon‑Infused Skies: Singapore’s Cable Car Gets a Mascot Make‑over

The iconic Singapore cable‑car system, which has been whisking tourists above the island’s skyline since 1972, has taken a bright new turn. In a bold partnership with Nintendo and the Pokémon brand, the Mount Faber‑Sentosa cable‑car route is now offering a Pokémon‑themed experience for visitors. The move is part of a wider effort to lure younger crowds into Singapore’s outdoor attractions, and it’s already stirring buzz on social media and in travel forums.

The Legacy of the Singapore Cable‑Car

The Singapore cable‑car (also known as the “Cable Car Sentosa”) is one of the city’s oldest and most beloved attractions. The 1.8 km stretch that connects Mount Faber Park to HarbourFront, and then to Sentosa, provides panoramic views of Marina Bay, the city’s skyline, the sea, and the lush greenery of the surrounding parks. With a capacity of 12‑person cabins, the system offers a quick and scenic way to reach Sentosa’s beaches and attractions, such as the Universal Studios Singapore theme park, the S.E.A. Aquarium, and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.

In recent years, the operators have experimented with thematic promotions to keep the experience fresh. The latest initiative, however, is the first time the cable‑car has been re‑imagined around a globally popular franchise.

Pokémon Meets the Sky

A Strategic Partnership

Nintendo’s Pokémon franchise is a cultural juggernaut, and its mobile game Pokémon Go has repeatedly been used to promote tourism in various cities worldwide. The partnership with the Singapore cable‑car operator (which is a joint venture between the Singapore Tourism Board and the Port of Singapore Authority) was announced earlier this year as part of the broader “Pokémon GO Community Day” that will run throughout the summer.

The collaboration is not just a marketing gimmick. It involves a redesign of several cabins, the installation of QR codes that link directly to Pokémon Go locations, and the inclusion of Pokémon‑themed audio cues. A spokesperson for the cable‑car operator explained that the project was intended to create a “new narrative for a familiar journey” and to “add an extra layer of excitement for families and adventure‑seekers alike.”

What the Experience Looks Like

• Pokémon‑Themed Cabins: Out of the 30 cabins on the route, 10 have been repainted in the iconic bright colors of Pokémon characters. One cabin is a Pikachu‑red interior with yellow lightning‑bolt decals; another sports a blue‑green Dragonite motif, complete with a plush toy sitting on the seat. The cabins also feature custom seat covers, branded posters, and a subtle scent reminiscent of “Poké‑ball dust” (a playful touch that fans appreciated).

• Pokémon‑Go Integration: Each of the themed cabins carries a QR code that, when scanned, points players to a hidden PokéStop on the cable‑car’s platform. Once players capture the Pokémon at the stop, they unlock a “cable‑car pass” that can be used for a free ride or a discounted ticket to the cable‑car. The QR codes are also linked to a special “Pokémon‑Go challenge” that rewards players who complete the entire cable‑car route.

• Audio & Visuals: The cabins play soft background music that is reminiscent of Pokémon’s soundtrack, and the cabin windows feature subtle animations of PokéBalls rolling across the glass. Inside the cabin, the floor lights change color when a Pokémon is captured, creating a playful “celebration” effect.

Operational Details

• Timing: The Pokémon‑themed cabins are available from 10 am to 4 pm, weekdays and weekends, for a limited period from 1 June to 31 August. Riders can choose a regular ticket or a “Pokémon Go pass” that includes the free ride incentive.

• Pricing: The standard adult ticket is SGD 12, while children under 12 pay SGD 8. A special “Pokémon‑Go bundle” is available for SGD 18, which includes a limited‑edition Pokémon keychain and a free ticket for a child.

• Safety: The operators highlighted that all safety protocols remain unchanged. The Pokémon cabins are fully equipped with the same life‑jackets and emergency communication devices as the regular cabins. Staff have been trained to handle any potential Pokémon‑Go related questions from riders.

Community Reactions and Social Buzz

The unveiling event—featuring a short parade with costumed Pokémon mascots and a live DJ playing theme music—was streamed on the cable‑car’s official Facebook page. Within hours, Instagram and Twitter feeds were flooded with photos of riders in Pikachu‑red suits, selfies with Pokémon mascots, and screenshots of the in‑game captures.

A local parent blogger noted that the experience is “a perfect blend of nostalgia and novelty,” and that it “made our family day out feel like an adventure from a video game.” A Pokémon enthusiast from the community forum “SMPoké” wrote that the QR‑code integration was a clever way to “bridge the physical and virtual worlds.”

Why This Matters for Singapore Tourism

Singapore has long positioned itself as a tech‑savvy, family‑friendly destination. The Pokémon cable‑car initiative is a case study in how pop‑culture can be leveraged to attract visitors, especially Gen Z and Millennials, who are highly engaged with mobile gaming. The collaboration also underlines a broader trend: theme‑based experiences that cross‑link physical attractions with digital gameplay.

According to a preliminary survey conducted by the Singapore Tourism Board, over 70 % of respondents said they were “highly likely” to visit the cable‑car if they were fans of Pokémon, and 60 % of those participants indicated that they would share their experience on social media. While the full impact on visitor numbers will take time to quantify, the early signs suggest that the initiative is successfully turning the cable‑car from a scenic transport service into a storytelling platform.

Looking Ahead

While the Pokémon theme is slated to run only for a few months, the operators are already exploring ways to keep the experience fresh. A spokesperson hinted at potential future collaborations with other popular franchises and stated that “the cable‑car platform offers a unique canvas for immersive storytelling.”

If the Pokémon project proves successful, other cities could look to similar partnerships. The combination of a nostalgic franchise, interactive QR‑code integration, and the natural appeal of a scenic cable‑car ride could well become a template for next‑generation tourist attractions.

For further details on the Pokémon‑themed cable‑car, you can visit the official Singapore Tourism Board page, the Pokémon website’s local events section, or the cable‑car’s own social media channels. The full article and accompanying images are available on AsiaOne’s Lifestyle section, providing a visual guide to the new Pokémon cabins and the surrounding Sentosa skyline.