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Neopets 26th Birthday Updates + Upcoming Neopets.com "Companion App"

Posted by Kenny on November 10, 2025, 9:01 am NST

UPDATE, November 12th, 6:00 PM: The update has also received a second update—this time, the section talking about the Varwolf event has been explicitly labeled "Free Varwolf Event" and the image showing the Varwolf next to the NC Mall logo has been removed.

UPDATE, November 12th: At some point over the past day, TNT updated the blog post regarding the free Birthday Neocash giveaway. Previously, it was required to be "used within 30 days". However, that stipulation has been removed. (The text has also been updated to not be inconsistently labeled as 500 NC, but rather 260 NC as stated earlier in the post.)

This morning, TNT has posted a massive update on the Neopets Portal.

The update contains a ton of information on upcoming updates to Neopets.com, merch releases, NC Mall releases, and many other updates. We'll provide a summary of the top news, but we encourage you to check out the whole thing!

Upcoming Neopets.com Companion App
Huge news! TNT announced the soft launch of a "Companion App" for Neopets.com, which will start with a soft launch in Australia and New Zealand during the week of November 16th.

With the Companion App, you’ll be able to check your inventory right from your phone, feed your Neopets easily wherever you are, and see all your pets in one place. The app also brings classic mini-games like Fashion Fever and Solitaire 2.0 to mobile, letting you play and sync scores with your main Neopets account. You can spin three of Neopia’s classic wheels each day just like you do on the site, all within a lightweight, modern app designed for both Android and iOS. NeoPass login ensures your pets, items, and high scores stay connected, no matter where you play.

A "wider rollout is planned" at an unspecified time after the ANZ soft launch.

Varwolf Event
The long-promised and oft-delayed sitewide Varwolf event is now promised for the week of November 24. A bit ominously, it is listed within a "NC Mall Releases & Sales" section for that week, alongside Black Friday and a couple upcoming Mystery Capsule releases.

Updated NeoPass Weekly Quest Log Prizes
As previously reported this morning, the prizes for the NeoPass weekly Quest Log quests have been updated. However, the announcement does not specify how long the updated pool will last for.

A few of the new weekly NeoPass prizes we've confirmed so far!

New Weekly NeoPass Quest Prize List »
Quest Log Guide » View Your Quests »

Upcoming Birthday Freebies
TNT has promised free 260 NC and bonus NC goodie bag + item, as is usual for the site birthday. What is not usual for the birthday is a new set of "Welcome Back & Loyalty Rewards." According to the announcement, these will be available sometime this week!

Returning players (not logged in for over a year) are invited to return to claim a special pack containing Basic Power Negg, Bag of Healing Dust, Bag of Space Dust, and Kreludan Home Decorating (book)

Active Players (active for at least a year) get a limited-time trophies for their user lookup.

Additionally, the Wheel of Celebration will be returning for another year from November 12 to 22.

Premium Prize Updates
A refresh for Cosmic Dome prizes is promised for Monday, November 17.

An update to the Wheel of Starlight with "new spins and prizes" is also promised at some point that week.

Upcoming Pet Styles
Teasers for upcoming ~~25th~~ 26th Anniversary and Woodland pet styles are shown, expected to launch at some point the week of November 17:

Community Q&A
TNT also answers a handful of questions, which we'll reproduce here:

TNT converted many of the flash games to be playable - this means there is a nice variety of games available. I was curious if the game 'Better Than You' is capable of running again, as well as giving out the avatar and trophy. Thanks for all the hard work that you and the staff do.
It is capable of being run again in the future but is not a high priority for us at the moment. The team has looked into it and has it in mind but this game has more nuances compared to others we've done, such as needing content management. So we want to make sure we approach it carefully when the time comes, but it is on our radar!

There are at least 9 games that award avatars but the games are currently broken. Are there any plans to fix these?
Game avatars can be a bit tricky due to older code, and getting access to that, so they’re not a priority for us at the moment. However, one of our initiatives this quarter is to introduce new avatars and a few have already been released!

Will you guys ever bring back Petpet Park? It was my favourite as a kid, thank you!
This isn't in our plans, but we are aware of the game and will keep it in mind.

What is the avatar collector updated to?
On October 1st, 2025, we changed the way the Avatar Collector avatar is earned to be a bit more fair and obtainable. It was awarded by obtaining 75% of countable avatars. After some monitoring and discussions we noticed it was still a bit harder to attain for players. As of 10/28/2025 we have lowered it to 63%, we hope this can make it more achievable for players!

Can we see some more of the onsite (TCG) items more accessible? Some of them are non-existent for collectors.
We will certainly keep this in mind for future prize rotations and pool refreshes!

Once again, we encourage you to read the full announcement for all the details on TNT's plans this month:

Read the Announcement »

Make a Comment!

There are 139 comments below. Add yours!

If neopets is getting an app, can we please revert the site layout from the abomination

by auberdine on November 10, 2025 9:05 AM NST

Wow 260 NC is... Insulting.

by psychoash on November 10, 2025 9:08 AM NST

*Upcoming Neopets.com Companion App* if it is well programmed and doesn't require premium, this could be useful for many players! QL integration would be appreciated

*Varwolf Event* Years without a new species and they want to integrate the event in some way to the NC mall?? even if its only promo, is disgusting.

*Community Q&A* "noT a PriOrIty fOr uS At tHe mOmEnt"

by spongegrundo on November 10, 2025 9:15 AM NST

Okay I'm gonna let y'all in on a little secret... I can already see my inventory right from my phone, and feed all my pets! I have this special app on my phone called an "internet browser"

by amethyst43217 on November 10, 2025 9:16 AM NST

I'm excited to get the companion app and the Varwolf.

by kacheekfan96 on November 10, 2025 9:17 AM NST

The mobile version of the site sucks on phones so hopefully it’s better on the app. I primarily play on my phone so I feel almost anything is better.

The Kass plush looks off. Like his beak is too dark. I’ll buy it anyway lol

Wouldn’t be surprised if the varwolf ends up being NC only, but will still be disappointed

by nightshadeswiftswing on November 10, 2025 9:26 AM NST

The companion app sounds interesting. Hopefully, it will be better than using the mobile browser.

by go_bruce on November 10, 2025 9:26 AM NST

Not interested at all in a App

by premium17 on November 10, 2025 9:27 AM NST

Wondering if the wheel of celebration is going to be a yearly thing !

by armyfromnothing on November 10, 2025 9:37 AM NST

I am excited for the blind box baby plushies. I would like to get 2 or 3 of them.
I love the stuff planned for the anniversary, I like that they are making a big deal every year leading up to the big 30. Crazy for me to believe Neopets will make it to 30 years when I didn't think they would make it to 20.
The only thing I want is the site to be visually consistent and more pet slots, lol.

Happy Anniversary, Neopets

by mzlish on November 10, 2025 9:38 AM NST

Went to the portal and I see it’s back ! Happy because I couldn’t get the avatar last time

by armyfromnothing on November 10, 2025 9:38 AM NST

If Varwolf is debuted as a species you have to buy with real money, we're rioting, right?

by goalkeeper50 on November 10, 2025 9:43 AM NST

@goalkeeper50 I mean, the Varwolf literally debuted as a species you have to buy with real money already sooo

by bonju on November 10, 2025 9:47 AM NST

I love how all the answers are "this isn't our priority". If so many people are asking about flash games, avatars, better than you (+ daily dare and gmc), then maybe the playerbase wants to see that. It's clear TNT thinks flash games are an important part of the site since that's what they will release as their first console game, so why not bump *that* priority a bit more up the list? I'd LOVE to see AAA again

by bonju on November 10, 2025 9:52 AM NST

260 NC doesn't sound like a lot.. I mean, I'm not at all ungrateful. I was just.. kind of expecting the usual 1000.. 260 isn't even enough to get two neat Mystery Capsules XD

by apophis324 on November 10, 2025 10:28 AM NST

so dom wasted money on app development before improving the "mobile compatible" site which was supposed to prevent the need for an app

this team has zero brain cells

can't wait until they make the excuse of bowing to the ios app store rules to totally disallow talking about lgbtqia+ content because it's deemed "adult" and if they don't disallow that speech, they can't bE oN tHe aPp sToRe

god i hate it

by purrmeister on November 10, 2025 10:31 AM NST

Wow only 260 NC this year. That's kind of a strange amount when previously they've given 500, 750 and 1000 NC. For me I would like more pet slots.

by liesha on November 10, 2025 10:36 AM NST

I'm not gonna complain about free NC but 260 is... bad! The free 1000 birthday NC was such a good strategy because it was enough to buy a few things and get people wanting to spend more. Only being able to buy... one standard item at the base 150 price? Doesn't seem quite as incetivizing.

Been waiting and looking forward to the Varwolf since it was announced. If the only reason they made it no-trade was to permanently lock it behind a paywall for the wider release I'm going to lose my mind.

by sunkistjello on November 10, 2025 10:37 AM NST

Putting the app on your phone means that they can "conform to store rules" and those rules have been politically applied since silicon valley is kowtowing.

RN the varwolf is NC only. It's a once a year thing as part of a species change. If it shows up in the NC Mall it is still NC. If it's in the mall for less than the 260 NC that they are granting us for free it is still a once a year thing, now for everybody. This is what some limited pets are already like.

by solsticesprite on November 10, 2025 10:41 AM NST

I wonder how the logistics of Varwolf being (only) available in the NC Mall would play out. That would require rework to the create-a-pet functionality. And I wonder if they would remain no transfer or if we would trade with boxes? Lmao

by reckless4romance on November 10, 2025 10:44 AM NST

I'm hoping the varwolf thing being in an NC section is just a weird oversight or mistake. that week doesn't have a regular updates section, unlike every other week in the blog. not even sure what getting a pet through the Mall would look like?

by kenny on November 10, 2025 10:58 AM NST JN Staff

New Zealand mentioned!

Hype to get access early, we make a great guinea pig location!

by kiriwings on November 10, 2025 11:24 AM NST

A chance at getting retired avatars through the Wheel of Celebration is exciting!

by neomaniac24757 on November 10, 2025 11:44 AM NST

If the Varwolf is an NC Mall purchase, then that means the site is in deeper doo-doo than I previously thought. I hop that's an oversight.

by bacon on November 10, 2025 11:45 AM NST

Not Dom wasting money and resources on stupid stuff no one asked for again, no wonder they're permanently understaffed

by mortychichi on November 10, 2025 11:53 AM NST

No way it's 260 NC when it used to be more! (1000 NC?) I was waiting whole year to get more pet slots

by blackmalbec on November 10, 2025 12:06 PM NST

If the Varwolf is an NC mall exclusive purchasable pet, that means any and all ways to change an existing pet into a Varwolf could require a morphing potion that is buyable from the mall/tradable via NC gift box. Then TNT can keep it so the current restrictions of obtaining a Varwolf (IE, no lab zap, no trasnfer/pounding/adopting) don't have to change.

by fenix on November 10, 2025 12:16 PM NST

Maybe the Varwolf Mall event is just the Varwolf Mystery Capsule?
The 26th Birthday Mystery Capsule listed as scheduled to come out today isn't in the mall yet. Maybe later when the news updates?

by purplebin on November 10, 2025 12:19 PM NST

260nc....

Mmm giving vibes of getting gifted an avocado for christmas....

by unvile on November 10, 2025 12:24 PM NST

No one talking about how people inactive for over a year get a negg currently worth 2m and some other miscellaneous stuff while us losers that log in every day get a trophy only? >.>

by gigglingdeath on November 10, 2025 12:37 PM NST

Can't believe there's a chance they're going to gatekeep the varwolf or doing a "1rst varwolf free!" and the next one is like 1000NC...

by spongegrundo on November 10, 2025 12:40 PM NST

@gigglingdeath yeah that's a bit... not great. rip purge, and honestly i'm pretty sure if people haven't logged in in over a year they're not following neo news so i doubt they'll even know about the goodie bag but *shrug* a trophy is nice ig.

the companion app will likely have ads and if so that's a hard skip for me, i like my firefox with ublock neo experience too much

by xweetak5 on November 10, 2025 12:44 PM NST

@xweetak5 Well, lots of bots/stolen/shell accounts are gonna get a nice negg I guess.
And yeah, I think they're just trying to find more ways to force-feed us ads.

Speaking of which, I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but today for the first time when I came back to my laptop after leaving it idle with the wheel of monotony spinning, instead of it being completed it had a popup that said "the wheel of monotony is still spinning" with a watch an ad button. I was so PO'd about it that I didn't even think to screenshot it, I was just like "Well fine then, I guess I'm not spinning this awful wheel anymore."

by ruruskadoo on November 10, 2025 1:06 PM NST

hurmmmmm. another app, huh.... with the "new layout" still unfinished... sighs.

i'm confused about what they mean by the whole "Extra Notes for Savvy Shoppers" section...
"The 500 NC birthday giveaway must be claimed November 12–22 and used within 30 days. Giveaway amount may be randomized for extra surprise."
what is this referring to? is there a 500 nc birthday giveaway happening that's different from the 260 NC giveaway...? if it's randomized then it's not a 500 nc birthday giveaway OR a 260 NC giveaway... what is this even about
and what discount codes are they referencing there? is this supposed to be appended to a totally different press release or something? there's nothing else mentioned about either of these points, it's really really weird.

i'm also confused about what they mean by "better than you" needing "content management" - is that a technical term for some part of the score-submission checking process?

by sentehisshou on November 10, 2025 1:23 PM NST

@sentehisshou BTY needed a weekly competitor, so had to choose an image, name, and write a little quote. plus choosing a game. I think that's it lol. Is it a lot? idts. but it's something *shrugs*

by kenny on November 10, 2025 1:41 PM NST JN Staff

No updates on more pet slots.

by heznarrt on November 10, 2025 1:44 PM NST

I agree with the idea of the website going back to the previous layout when the app rolls out! It's so much better looking...

by novapulser on November 10, 2025 2:12 PM NST

260 NC = 26 years.

Still odd.

Should have been up to 26 pet slots!

by academy on November 10, 2025 2:46 PM NST

That last question sounds like the one I submitted to the Editorial, but I asked about the single CCG card that seems to be unattainable, not the in-game TCG.

Hoping to get one or two of the retired avvies, though. (*crosses fingers*)

by novelista on November 10, 2025 3:23 PM NST

Free 260 NC?? It used to be 1000NC, sides included.

I was hoping to get 2 more pet slots with the bonus nc this year but it seems unlikely now. Very greedy and confusing. I don't like how this is going... this site is becoming more and more pat to win and more hard for f2p users.

by silvia on November 10, 2025 3:38 PM NST

Oh jeez the weekly prizes changed already? Time to panic buy the stamps I guess...

by monster on November 10, 2025 3:39 PM NST

Also If varwolves and retired avatars get released as pay-to-get stuff, it'll be the day I'll quit neo for good. TNT don't care, and this game won't improve. It'll just become more greedier. Very sad, angry and disappointed. =w=

by silvia on November 10, 2025 3:45 PM NST

Okay as an artist I can’t help but be alittle disappointed even now I see very badly proportional eyes on the varwolf release update. Making cartoon eyes you can exaggerate proportions and all, but the way it’s done is ineffective and likely a mistake. For example, the first image on this jn post of the banner has correct proportions for the eye and pupils with the head at a 3 quarter view, but the pupils are looking in different directions. Then in the other picture the varwolf is almost front on with very slight tilt, and the pupil shown on the left is wayyy smaller lol. Why exaggerate the depth here when it’s front on and then have exact proportion and eyes looking in different directions for a 3 quarter view? Not to say it’s wonderful artwork because it is, but it feels rushed or not looked over for mistakes because it doesn’t look purposeful coming from a professional artists view. And if it’s this rushed with the art alone, that makes me concerned with how the varwolf is being handled before we even touch on the nc stuff lol. It feels like the resources were stretched too thin and not focused at all. I don’t even want a varwolf (and that’s coming from someone who loves the species design) because the actual varwolf on the site has incorrect proportions when it’s happy with eyes not looking together and one eye overly too small, yet when sad it has the correct proportions for the Neopet lol. The nc art too had correct proportions. But I don’t want a varwolf if the happy base image isn’t following the rest of it. It makes me think of rushed now because of other things like the issue with the bow clipping on eyrie that everyone was upset about. This isn’t to discredit the art or artists their work is awesome and appreciated and they have great skills. It’s just worrying it seems they didn’t have much time to make the best work and catch any errors along the way with the time given and it would be nice to see consistent time and effort

by rohnaldomoon on November 10, 2025 3:53 PM NST

Continued-
It’s just worrying it seems they didn’t have much time to make the best work and catch any errors along the way with the time given and it would be nice to see consistent time and effort given to the site art even just advertising art.

I hope the nc stuff with the varwolf release is a mistake cuz yikes that would go against their ideals of making it fair for all players regardless of membership or not. I’m not even gonna go into a rant about this XD

As for the plushies , figures, and other merch stuff I’m very happy and excited and will be investing in whatever I can afford. I think it’s great we finally get nice merch and it’s a great move on tnt and also the collaborations were cool too! Love this stuff and hope to see more like it! The video game too was such a cool idea and I love it! I wanna see a new Neo quest video game or something released one day!

The app I’m having conflicts about. On one hand the mobile site has had issues and an app would ease the process. But on the other, it would be nice to see less focus on another app and more on the site itself. Not to mention half the site is converted and the other half isn’t. I’m on my iPad when I play it. I would be sad if they left the site as is half converted with the new app being available. It just screams miscommunications between departments to me lol but idk if that’s the case.

Can’t complain from me that it’s 260 nc honestly any free nc is very nice so thank you for that tnt.

Okay those are all my thoughts! Will have to wait and see how things turn out!

by rohnaldomoon on November 10, 2025 4:01 PM NST

so thats app nr 3 ? more nc crap and no plans to improve the main site .... gotcha, thanks for nothing (yet again) tnt

by scr3wdriver on November 10, 2025 4:18 PM NST

@rohnaldomoon the banner art is from a picture from the 2000s, back when the varwolf was a prank pet for april fool's day. They made several fake pets in a short time, explaining why the eye looks unsettling

by spongegrundo on November 10, 2025 5:21 PM NST

Hopefully the Varwolf being listed with the NC items is an oversight, though it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't.

Looking forward to a new trophy and the wheel coming back.

by dragonair23 on November 10, 2025 5:38 PM NST

Wheel of Celebration sounds like a fun idea. I'm hoping Varwolf isn't locked behind NC...

Maybe I'm the only one but I couldn't care less about this app. They spent 15 years telling us they wouldn't make a Neopets app because they were focusing on making the main site compatible with mobile, and now they've reversed that out of nowhere. But you can already do most of the things they're saying on mobile (inventory, feeding a pet, spinning wheels and even Fashion Fever) so this doesn't seem to be offering anything new at this point. Again, 99% would rather a KeyQuest or Petpetpet Park app.

by morules_99 on November 10, 2025 5:40 PM NST

I am quite saddened by the nc nerf. Then again, 1k NC Is probably a big given to us. It saddens me because I only got one year of It

That aside, the app sounds.... Interesting. Hopefully It'll be pretty much the a lot of the website, If not the whole thing, but In all app, but most of all, the app will run smoothly with absolutely no toxic lag

(which imo sounds Impossible

though It would be a great boost simply If that Issue Is solved

)

by maninshi on November 10, 2025 5:49 PM NST

Why on earth would they make the app a geographic-based limited release? Of all things there's no reason that can't be available worldwide???

by brophyvirginia on November 10, 2025 6:37 PM NST

I really love how TNT talks out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to bringing back old players.

Yes come back old players! We'll give you a return goodie bag! After you have to submit multiple tickets to get into your account you haven't been in for years, and we demand tons of proof of NC/RIC purchases that you may or may not have, and expect you to remember neofriends you may not have written down anddd...

Oh and if you do remember your word and mail you'll get booted out within 30 minutes because we autochange your password if you haven't been on in a while, and you can't change your mail to a mail you can access without a ticket anyway...whoops.

Oh and you can't transfer neopets for three months once you do get in. Surprise! Oh and we're going to give you only 260 neocash for our anniversary because inflation is hard for everyone! But hey, Buy our blind boxes!

by sunnysixi on November 10, 2025 7:18 PM NST

I noticed the companion app is super limited (i mean fair, its just launching), but it doesn't sound like you can access your dailys with it, which is a bit annoying. I seen a comment about Lag, and today especially has been terrible for one of Neopets other app's (Faerie Fragments) where the whole game had been almost innaccessable because of people trying to logg in. So I am not too confident on a site based app, since Id imagine more people would be using the main site app wise then a game at least. But who knows, I guess it depends on how its handled. Though, as terrible as the site is on mobile (especially on non premium accounts), I can't trust this app to be smooth either. I wonder if they will put video ads in the app like many free apps, and if so, having premium will prevent that...

Im ngl tho, i think, at least what was shown on the JN post; that is a terrible Q&A and i think would have been better to just not have been answered for some of these over all. Every answer is pretty much "not on our radar, but we hear you" which for neopets, has kind of been "were not working on it nor really plan on it. But if you keep complaining, we will just say "we know already stop". It feels very "were annoyed with these questions, stop asking" vibe, which I hate to say is just the impression i get a lot from the current TNT when it comes to questions and topics. It really feels like there is a dislike for the current player base on site.

Also that varwolf thing feels suspiciously NC... Im hoping not, ESPECIALLY after such a long delay on their release (Wasn't it March or May they were supposed to come out?) I guess so much for plot relevance.

by beezebeora on November 10, 2025 7:23 PM NST

"Active Players (active for at least a year) get a limited-time trophies for their user lookup."

I can't help but point this out and be like "so is it a limited time trophy or are there MUTLIPLE limited time trophies?", lol. Like, come on, at least try to proofread before posting this! I get it, writing is hard, especially when it's a lot of text, but even I don't put in "a limited-time trophies"!

by overboss on November 10, 2025 7:54 PM NST

I've been waiting all year for the free NC to buy more slots... If they're only giving 260 NC, it's a slap in the face. They really want to give me more reasons to leave once and for all, this doesn't sparks joy anymore.

by darkniela66 on November 10, 2025 8:57 PM NST

260NC is an absolute slap in the face and I'm not even shocked. I was hoping for 500NC so I could get another pet slot but of course they would make it so that you would have to purchase additional NC to make anything worth while.

Really hoping there is some kind of sale so that I can get a pet slot 'cos I won't be wasting my money.

by rebecca on November 10, 2025 9:33 PM NST

yay! so cool

by horses_46569 on November 10, 2025 9:55 PM NST

Neopass weekly

by androponix on November 10, 2025 10:56 PM NST

okay...Not sure why it did that

Neopass weekly quests not tracking correctly for anyone else? it tracked ONe powerup use..and i definitely did quite a few other things that should have tracked..hopefully it tracks next time i open the app?

by androponix on November 10, 2025 10:57 PM NST

Is he gonna tell us why we can't have it/its pronoun stickers yet? Or why we have the sticker functionality, but no pronoun indicator instead of the gender marker, or even the ability to hide the gender marker on the neoboards?

by mercy_graves on November 11, 2025 12:16 AM NST

The Varwolf """adoption""" better cost the 10 NC that'll be hanging in our accounts forever for that contemptuous 260.

by misty_s2 on November 11, 2025 4:35 AM NST

If they lock the Varwolf behind an NC paywall... People will riot. Rightfully so. They said they would be available for all players to adopt... but of course they'd mean "at a cost".

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if the only way to get a Varwolf is to pay NC for one. -_-

by dracyoola on November 11, 2025 4:46 AM NST

I'm excited about the wheel/retired avatars! However the 260 NC is disappointing. It's a big cut from what we're used to at this point. I was hoping for at least 500 NC.

by krasavitsa on November 11, 2025 5:33 AM NST

People really should be rioting and STOP supporting neopets dot com increasing greediness for money. I was thinking maybe in future to spend something on neopets if I do manage to get a new job, but not anymore. I'll never, ever spend a cent on a site that keeps getting hungry for money and nothing else feels like it matters anymore apart from that. You all are just cows to milk for them. sadly. They don't care about any of us. :/ I sure hope ambassadors will notify tnt of what users think about their greed. But not holding out any hope they will listen or care. Very, very bitter.

by silvia on November 11, 2025 6:28 AM NST

silvia. What kind of job do you have that your employer does not care about money ?

by premium17 on November 11, 2025 8:15 AM NST

Most of the celebration is "spend money on our products". That says something about the current state of Neopets.

by stormmonarch on November 11, 2025 10:06 AM NST

I can only think of one business entity that I deal with where the app is better (for my needs) than the site: Bandcamp. Everyone else's is such trash.

Why would anyone believe Neopets can create a decent app to do exactly what you can already do from the mobile site? Why would they spend the resources to do that?
260 NC is small but I don't really want anything; not interested in a Varwolf either. Good luck to those who are -- I hope they really won't make you pay for it. Or if they do, they ought to give it super powers!

by sacanth on November 11, 2025 10:14 AM NST

If the Varwolf remains pay-walled I hope the community gets really angry. TNT has promised that the Varwolf would be available to everyone. Not everyone can (or wants to) buy NC. I don't even want a Varwolf (currently), but the idea of a pay-walled species sounds horrifying.

by coolkaius on November 11, 2025 10:28 AM NST

I do wish people would understand that Neopets is trying to become profitable. It was only last year (I think?) that they said they broke even. If the site doesn't make enough money, then the whole company goes under.

BUT they do need to put equal focus into balancing free and paid content. Most of the non-seasonal content being pay-walled doesn't help community sentiment.

by coolkaius on November 11, 2025 11:16 AM NST

I am also not at all interested in any apps. If they want to add apps, fine, but please stop trying to force everyone to use them with the FOMO incentives. They are making the neoppass prizes increasingly enticing while making the regular questlog increasingly mediocre to try to force us into using all these apps. Please stop punishing me for being a desktop player and not wanting apps on my phone!!

I am not drawing any conclusions about the Varwolf release yet, I think it's premature to be panicking about bad release choices. They currently have NC mystery capsules for every pet day so obviously they will release a Varwolf mystery capsule when they mass release varwolves. Having a Varwolf mystery capsule available in the NC mall does not automatically mean the creation of a varwolf pet itself will be locked behind an NC paywall. I think there will just be NC extra stuff you can get, and that's what they're advertising. I will admit though it's strange they haven't advertised the release date anywhere else on the site yet.

by larimar on November 11, 2025 11:47 AM NST

If Varwolf is paywalled I'm gonna be soooooo mad. And why do we need a companion app?? I thought the whole point of updating the site layout was so that we didn't need a companion app. I don't even like the apps we already have! Seems like a waste of resources to me. Like I'm all for Neopets making money but jeez

by peanutbuttermilk on November 11, 2025 11:48 AM NST

I'm curious what they mean by "limited-time trophies" for players active at least a year?? Limited in that they're only available during the birthday event? Or limited in that they'll be removed from your lookup if you become inactive??

by larimar on November 11, 2025 11:53 AM NST

@premium17 that's not the point of my anger and you know it.

If they go from 1000 free nx to 260, clearly it reeks of greed. Why they could afford *thaté when they "were in the red" and then go down so much not that they aren't. It's not about making a profit, they ARE making tons of profit. It's about everything being too pricey, too paywalled, too everything asked. And too little given in exchange. Many other modern sited are way, way more generous with their freebies and premium currency (see flight rising, for example) and they have a proper, WORKING website without 3458938 glitches.

by silvia on November 11, 2025 11:56 AM NST

(Forgive the double post, but typos... I'm sick with a nasty flu so I'm not writing so well.) That's not the point of my anger and you know it.

If they go from 1000 free NC to 260, clearly it reeks of greed. Why they could afford to give out 1000NC when they "were in the red" and then go down so much now that they aren't? It's not about making a profit, they ARE making tons of profit already by milking their very patient users with insane prices and gacha mechanisms. It's about everything being too pricey, too paywalled, too everything asked. And too little given in exchange. Many other modern sites are way, way more generous with their freebies and premium currency (see flight rising, for example) and they have a proper, WORKING website without 3458938 glitches.

by silvia on November 11, 2025 11:58 AM NST

With regards to the long-term absentees: I couldn't help but wonder how many will have to get the DoB sent to them because they didn't use their real one?

Also, I wonder how many players they've lost over the years, due to that very thing: didn't use their real date? lol

by bodhi on November 11, 2025 12:22 PM NST

this whole thing is so goofy and kinda sad but for some reason this bit is really getting me:

"Get ready to bring your favourite Neopets to life in a whole new way! We’re thrilled to announce our latest creative collaboration with Pixite’s award-winning digital coloring app, Pigment. That’s right, your beloved Neopets are heading straight into the world of digital art, and they’re more colorful than ever!"

guys who's gonna tell them that neopets has literally been in "the world of digital art" since the site launched (also "favourite" but then "colorful" lmao)

by kikocheek on November 11, 2025 12:45 PM NST

They might not be in red any more but got several new people in the marketing position and we can clearly see it.

If varwolf ends up not being free, I'll be rioting under #freethevarwolf

by spongegrundo on November 11, 2025 1:45 PM NST

Since the prize refresh on Neopass, now nothing is registering as being completed

Interesting.

by animestar on November 11, 2025 3:08 PM NST

Not terribly related, but I have to share I got an email from Hot Topic that Neopets was trending at the store. So I went to my local one and they were WIPED OUT of Neopets stock. I got the last baby Neopet heart pin they had in the back and they told me it's in high demand. We are in a renaissance.

by akarroa on November 11, 2025 3:45 PM NST

Ping pong is my favorite TV show

by okimsorry on November 11, 2025 4:25 PM NST

Worth noting that the 260 NC *expires* this year by the 22nd. So we don't keep it in time for Black Friday sales ://
Free NC is free NC, but dang.

by go_me_123_ on November 11, 2025 4:33 PM NST

"With 100,000 figures available across 3,000 Walmart stores in the US, these treasures won’t last long. Start building your collection now!"

"With only 33,000 plushies available, be sure to visit your local Claire’s starting November 15 to grab these limited-edition cuties before they’re gone!"

yeah with these numbers i'd imagine they'd run out of stock pretty fast lmao

by kikocheek on November 11, 2025 4:34 PM NST

I think everybody is getting confused. I follow the ~spoilerss petpage, and there has been a Varwolf capsule pending release there for a very long time. I think that is what they were talking about in the NC section. I don't think they were talking about the actual pet species.

I second what everyone else has been saying about the free NC. This is something that costs nothing for them to provide people, and yet they are still being stingy about it. It's shocking that not only is the amount so low, but it has an expiration!

Hand it to TNT to find time to develop new functionality to ensure they can better pump us for cash.

As much as I do spend on NC and mostly I'm pretty happy with the mall, I do feel that there is an unhealthy focus on paid features with this team.

Also, I think it's a really poor judgment on the part of Dom and the team to develop yet another app to help further divide development resources, especially considering that none of the Neopets apps or properties is fully functional. They are all full of bugs.

I have no interest in an app. I already have too many. Not everything needs to be an app! I'm so sick of app culture. It seems like the endungification of the internet continues apace...

by neolodgeism on November 11, 2025 6:36 PM NST

Having said that, it is possible that they are just trying to find a way to make a stripped down version of the site that doesn't have any of the elements that the tech companies frown upon, so that they can start more heavily promoting on those platforms in a way that won't get censored. Based on what I saw in the LGBTQ panel with the TNT team, I do not see them compromising on LGBTQ inclusivity on the site in order to appease any tech company.

I understand people's concern, it's just if I given the history with TNT and the queerphobic moderation, but I really do believe they are sincere about their commitment to inclusivity and supporting the queer community on Neopets.

I didn't see anything on JN about the account safety update that TNT posted on November 6th. Will there be an article posted on JN about this? I have a lot of questions and concerns regarding what was contained in that update.

by neolodgeism on November 11, 2025 6:42 PM NST

*It's justified given the history

by neolodgeism on November 11, 2025 6:43 PM NST

Finally had time to fully read the update tnt made!

Also forgot to mention I’m happy they are bringing back the wheel of celebration so thank you tnt!

I’m surprised by the responses in the QA section. The way it’s worded it’s like every request was met with the idea that it’s not on their focus right now. It’s in strong contrast to past updates on the same questions. Sometimes our requests tho especially to ambassadors are listened to and slowly implemented. Like bringing new avatars, adding the premium wheel, and fixing clothing items that didn’t work for specific pets. So both premium and non premium requests have been addressed to some degree which is great. But many more requests are lost or given contradictory updates.

If I had to guess, maybe things are being missed as it passes from one person to the next, and somehow plans or question answers not looked over by the same people? I am hoping this is miscommunication or misunderstanding as they grow and that they will consider what we have been requesting the most. It just seems strange because some things they said the opposite. And it would be strange to change the plans so abruptly. It’s more likely misunderstandings hopefully and hoping they clear some stuff up :/

by rohnaldomoon on November 11, 2025 7:24 PM NST

Kind of disappointed that returning players are getting such sick gifts...what about long-term players? I have been playing for more than 23 years (on and off)...

by mushyneo on November 11, 2025 9:29 PM NST

Only reading this summary so far (and dread to read the actual thing, it's probably ai-generated) I am... not impressed.

Hoping that the Varwolf thing is referring to the capsule that was found ages ago, not that the species itself will end up nc-locked. That... that would not be good.

The 260 NC thing is an insult... It literally costs them nothing to give us, and if anything would encourage people to buy more NC if they gave us more. When we've been getting, 500 and 1000 in past years, and this new 260 expires?! Insulting.

Don't caaaaaaaare about the ~companion app~ because if the site worked properly we wouldn't NEED an app. But no, let's put resources into yet another probably broken app instead...

Also, if they're constantly getting asked about getting games and such working again, maybe the focus should be, hmm, I don't know, *getting games and such working again*?!

Ugh.

I love my pets but I hate how they're running the site. :'(

by goldennightfox on November 11, 2025 9:50 PM NST

Wheel of Celebration not working and its the 12th

by okimsorry on November 12, 2025 12:08 AM NST

@okimsorry TNT has changed the page to say the 15th now

by ravage on November 12, 2025 12:22 AM NST

No shade, but I feel like I'm going a little crazy reading some of these comments about the Varwolf release. Yes, the species is currently only accessible via premium/NC, but the way TNT's original announcement was phrased gave the impression that this was a temporary measure with the sitewide release coming later - you were paying for early access to the Varwolf, not paying to adopt one at all. Quote from Varwolf's announcement:

"Since they’ve been hidden away for so long, Varwolves are still getting used to the attention, so most of them are still holding back and staying in the shadows until they deem it safe and comfy. A small amount of adventurous Varwolves have stepped forward though, and you can get one by using the Species Change perk available with Neopets Premium... If you’re willing to wait a little longer though, the Varwolf will be ready for site-wide release this July! There will be a special event and questline you can play through to get a Varwolf of your very own – and best of all, it’s not time-limited, so you can get your first Varwolf whenever you want!"

The Varwolf's FAQ also makes no mention of it being a future paid feature.

Regardless, I'm hoping it's an oversight or referring to an NC event coinciding with the Varwolf's release (though plastering it across the Black Friday Event banner doesn't inspire much confidence that it was). Was already aware of the pet day cap, maybe there will also be an NC daily event to coincide with the questline or new pet slots for sale? If they turn out to be NC exclusive I'm probably gonna be cancelling my premium.

by beanz on November 12, 2025 12:47 AM NST

@bodhi - the DoB thing is one thing, but from experience, i cant reclaim some accounts because of the email. I could list friends, passwords, dob, payment methods; but its not good enough. The unfortunate side is they really do copy/paste the replies (ive tried a few times, its all very cookie cutter tbh). So unfortunatly I think if you wernt active much in the last year or so; its very slim and unlikely to recover your account without multiple backup informations :/ Hate to say better to just make a new one- but kinda kills the "returnee" thing.

by beezebeora on November 12, 2025 1:07 AM NST

@ravage I'm on the page now and it still says the wheel starts November 12.

"2nd Week of November
November 8 – November 15, 2025

26th Birthday Celebration: 12 - 22 November

Neopia turns 26, and the party is in full swing! For ten days, enjoy exclusive events, rewards, and more on Neopets.com:

Birthday Treasure Map Hunt: Collect map pieces through the Wheel of Celebration, Random Events, and a new mystery game. Complete your map for a random goodie bag and a birthday-themed petpet.

Wheel of Celebration: Daily free spins with refreshed prizes, including new stamps, weapons, NC items, and a chance at retired avatars."

Not sure where you're seeing it's been changed to the 15th?

by quixoticnostalgic on November 12, 2025 2:27 AM NST

I’m in NZ for a year so that’s a win!

by lucen on November 12, 2025 2:42 AM NST

Now I'm starting to wonder if maybe the Varwolf really is going to be 'sitewide release, in that everybody can buy it in the mall', not 'sitewide release in that people can start adopting them normally'.

I don't even like the Varwolf, but if they do that I might just cancel my premium as well.

I really enjoy my pets and certain aspects of the site. I love customization, for example, and collecting. But lately for the first time in 23 years I have seriously begun to entertain in my mind what it would be like to just walk away.

Admittedly most of this is me trying to do some mental preparation for if the site ever gets shut down, but that process has also made me more comfortable with the idea of quitting if things get too shamelessly cash grabby and P2W.

I just wonder what it's going to take to finally push me (and others) over the edge. If you look at all of the cumulative changes that have happened, such as paying to get more plot points and paying to get exclusive stamps, raising the cost of NC items by making them 'deluxe', and the increasing conversion of what used to be free site features to being paid or to people having to watch ads before they can do certain things... How are we not there yet? I'm asking myself this as well.

When I think about this Varwolf release, I can't help but wonder if it's going to be the thing that finally pushes people over the edge. A paid pet species? Are we at peak capitalism on the site yet? The pet day NC capsules weren't enough, the literal tsunami of new NC items being released constantly isn't enough, if the raising of prices of things wasn't enough, would a paid species be? Or is it like the proverbial frog boiling in water and we're all just getting so used to it all that we don't even care anymore?

by neolodgeism on November 12, 2025 4:35 AM NST

Okay so that 250 NC is so stingy. Very insulting. I am still mad that when I created a side last year they didn’t give me the 1000 NC when they promised any account can get it.

Now I don’t see where they said that the 250NC “expires” here, just that it needs to be “claimed” during that timeframe which is what I believe they did last year.

As for the new app *sigh* I will download it but this seems like this is a transition to go to full app mode. Which is okay but I do wish they will fix more of the site. Maybe the app will eventually help with boards and neomail and customization which needs updating. But I think the new app just might part of a long game plan.

by phantomrose on November 12, 2025 4:50 AM NST

Returning players get stuff, active players get a trophy? Yeah that's fair what the heck TNT.

by lunawolfin351 on November 12, 2025 5:32 AM NST

Based on the description, the companion app is most likely just for being able to do your dailies quickly from your phone and not the full experience. It says they're only making compatible two games. While I'm not in that group, lots of people asked for something like that so they can do some neopets stuff on the go without mega data consumption. I empathize with that.

by spongegrundo on November 12, 2025 6:59 AM NST

Been all week, and this Neopass thing is still not logging anything I've done..not even sign ins. TNT is batting 1k this year

by androponix on November 12, 2025 7:09 AM NST

Okay, but how cool would a Var plushie be instead of just using baby pets over and over? Don't get me wrong, they're cute, but maybe we could not use the same colors and species over and over? ..Also, if the Var is pay-to-play I'm going to be disappointed.

by chickynsaucejn on November 12, 2025 7:45 AM NST

Not a priority = Can't figure out a way to make it NC to play.

by katina_choovanski on November 12, 2025 8:05 AM NST

Note: Release dates are subject to change.

by anydarnedthingeez on November 12, 2025 9:36 AM NST

Keep in mind that things never tend to start until after 10 AM NST (when TnT staff seem to become available), so if the wheel is supposed to start on Nov 12th, it likely wouldn't go active until that time and it's still too early right now. I guess we'll find out in a few minutes....

by larimar on November 12, 2025 9:53 AM NST

The celebration wheel is not active

by thrixxy on November 12, 2025 9:59 AM NST

NeoBoard topics aren't loading.

by kyrette on November 12, 2025 10:03 AM NST

Well, just got my trophy, 260 NC and celebratory gift: A TVW Vandagyre Hidden Passageways Mystery Capsule. Yay....

by apophis324 on November 12, 2025 10:09 AM NST

Just got my trophy and NC

but the NC has not shown up in my account yet. Hoping it’ll be there by the end of the day.

by jbecks on November 12, 2025 10:10 AM NST

The trophy is out on My Pets. Looks meh.
The NC notification is out too but I haven't received the actual NC.

by pandah on November 12, 2025 10:13 AM NST

I got my NC and trophy. The Wheel of Celebraion is still not active.

by kyrette on November 12, 2025 10:14 AM NST

the wheel is up! I won a 26th Birthday Party Map Piece

by purplehumf on November 12, 2025 10:15 AM NST

I got my 26th birthday trophy but the Neoboard topics won't load for me either

by gamergirl33119 on November 12, 2025 10:15 AM NST

Maybe they took down the NeoBoard topics so people can't keep complaining about the miser amount of 260NC.

by kyrette on November 12, 2025 10:17 AM NST

Wheel isn't working for me just yet.

by kyrette on November 12, 2025 10:19 AM NST

wheel is open

by pandah on November 12, 2025 10:25 AM NST

Wheel loads for me, but isn't updated for this year and instead says I used my last spin (from last year). 260 NC is atrocious and I got an NC item I don't want and now have to use one of very limited boxes to trade for something I do want. Cool.

by just_m33 on November 12, 2025 10:25 AM NST

The trophy looks so unnecessary. Trophies used to require a minimum hard work on plots, later on small activities on events and now only just showing up at the home page

The "26" also hints we're getting more of these to take space in the future.

by spongegrundo on November 12, 2025 10:26 AM NST

I won 20k NP and two 25NC discount codes lol.

The notification that I got the 260NC won't go away no matter how much I click it. Haven't gotten the NC yet.

by yekith on November 12, 2025 10:26 AM NST

Looks like the wheel isn't working for me either unfortunately

by gamergirl33119 on November 12, 2025 10:27 AM NST

Also yes, the boards broke.

by yekith on November 12, 2025 10:27 AM NST

Maybe if one collects enough 25NC discount codes, you can buy a pet slot with the 260NC! /s
260NC is truly atrocious. meh

by kyrette on November 12, 2025 10:28 AM NST

Wheel worked fine for me. You can even watch an ad for a second spin. Interesting stuffs!

by apophis324 on November 12, 2025 10:28 AM NST

I also can't load the boards; Just got back from work and was gonna check my thread, but couldn't load it.
I guess at least the rest of the site is working? But since I primarly post on the boards instead of anything else on Neo...I dunno man.

Maybe that will give me the push to work on some pages, lol. I do have some new OCs to work on.
But really, an expiration for the NC?! TNT, that's not enough for me to spend since I'd be going for something that's not a pet cap... I might as well have no NC in the first place.

by overboss on November 12, 2025 10:29 AM NST

For those of you that can't get the wheel to work:
https://www.neopets.com/np26birthday/

The link is different from last year.

by pandah on November 12, 2025 10:29 AM NST

TNT should just take the site down... indefinitely- /j . Take down the site to fix stuff. Fix the NC amount, too /COUGHCOUGH make it 500NC.

by kyrette on November 12, 2025 10:29 AM NST

Thanks for the new link! The ad isn't showing up for me, however.

by kyrette on November 12, 2025 10:32 AM NST

Thank you pandah, that link works! I was using last year's link originally.

by just_m33 on November 12, 2025 10:32 AM NST

Mysteriously got a TVW Vandagyre Hidden Passageways Mystery Capsule and neoboards seems broke

(also no NC were given here yet

and no wheel of celebration neither. Sucks

)

(Edit that did not happen

)

@pandah You are a lifesaver!

by maninshi on November 12, 2025 10:41 AM NST

Guys, since the wheel of celebration demands for non-premium members to watch an ad, which are working, I went to check It out on the other stuff that needs It, and so far, the ad from homepage and then wheels ads work for me

(and as expected, Battledome Ads do not work yet

)

by maninshi on November 12, 2025 10:50 AM NST

I didn't get my NC either. I am not at all surprised that this has been a buggy morning.

I got a 25th anniversary pet pet paint brush from the wheel, and I got the emanating music aura from the capsule. The paintbrush is meh since I already had some, but I'm happy with the musical aura.

by neolodgeism on November 12, 2025 11:13 AM NST

I forgot to do my second spin. On that one I got a fruits of mystery Island book.

by neolodgeism on November 12, 2025 11:16 AM NST

I went to my NC account and that triggered the NC. To make the NC notif to disappear, O viewed it on an old page.

For people having ads (for second wheel spin, etc) not load, this si what works for me: disable your ad blocker if you use one, reload the page. Wait for 2 normal ads to load, click on the X to close then and THEN click to watch an ad for the wheels ot anything else you're trying to. Basically you often need to watch 3 ads total, really.

by yekith on November 12, 2025 11:38 AM NST

It can take a while for the NC to show up in your account after receiving the notice. It took about an hour for it to show up in mine this year. Last year it took several hours to show up.

by larimar on November 12, 2025 11:42 AM NST

@larimar

In that there's a limited time frame to claim the 26th bday trophy

by stuffie on November 12, 2025 2:39 PM NST

Wonder what they'll offer to entice players to use the app, as much as I hate the mobile experience,
I'd rather not add more bloat, have ads forced, & be limited in what I can do ..

Unless they're finally allowing merged closets or something similar , that's a no-go for me

by stuffie on November 12, 2025 2:44 PM NST

I got 2 spins for 25k..... Knowing this is a limited event and thats what I started with, when there's retired avatars?!??!?!?!??!??! I'm sick

by okimsorry on November 12, 2025 3:31 PM NST

I won 25K and a Crystal Turkey

by sapphiredragon101 on November 12, 2025 5:39 PM NST

So a few things I am not happy about. I agree with everybody else that the free NC of 260 is an insult. That covers a basic background, doesn't allow for any of the higher "tiered" items and is financially just stupid if your goal is to get people to buy NC. Give us enough to get a few good items and it leaves people wanting more, which in turn they buy NC.. (eyeroll)
As for the Varwolf, I am already pissed off about this. There are the basic colors and then they release 2 (and not really good ones) that have styles attached to them, which is NC and therefore a big money grab for those that have the pet and want it out of basic colors. I do not think the Varwolf it self will be behind a paywall but I do think the colors will.. and that will piss me off more.
Neo's push to NC is a huge turn off and this is coming from somebody that has spent a few thousand on NC and Premium. They are not working on the site at all, converting the remaining pages to the new layout, getting our fav games working again (bilge dice, Kiko Pop, etc). It is all NC stuff (don't even get me started on the "tiered" stuff), and with the current climate of today, people do NOT have the money for a PAY TO PLAY site which Neo is turning in to. I have already basically stopped buying NC, next will be to get rid of premium, depending on what happens in the next year or so..
Now they have a "new app" which nobody asked for. I am a PC player, I don't play games on mobile cause the screen is too small and messes with my eyes. If this new app is the gateway to put Neo solely on an app and discontinue the web (like they said they won't do).. Then it will be "bye bye neo", I have already cut Neo time in over half. To walk away will be easier than thought

by craftkitty on November 14, 2025 12:53 PM NST

Where is the companion app? I’m in Australia?

by leo_star20 on November 22, 2025 1:40 AM NST

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