With the recent release of a Pokémon Trading Card Game, or TCG, mobile app and the “Scarlet and Violet: Prismatic Evolutions” expansion, the popularity of Pokémon has skyrocketed. In 2024, six Pokémon TCG expansions were released, further increasing support for the company. However, the popularity of this franchise began long before any recent releases.
In February 1996, the world saw its very first glimpse of Pokémon as “Pocket Monsters: Red and Green” were released for Nintendo’s Game Boy. Although Pokémon’s initial release was in Japan, other parts of the world saw this franchise shortly after. Since then, there have been countless Pokémon movies, television shows, trading card game sets and apps.
For some people in the newer generations of fans, they have followed and enjoyed the franchise since they were kids. Growing up playing each generation of games on consoles like Wii, Wii U, Xbox and Nintendo DS in addition to watching the anime series evolve and collecting different sets belonging to the Pokémon TCG, these fans have been devoted to the game for years. To sum up, the Pokémon fanbase is strong, loyal and only growing in size.
The current releases and news regarding Pokémon have caused an uproar greater than in prior releases due to a key detail of the new expansions: the chase cards in these expansions are highly valued. The “Scarlet and Violet: Prismatic Evolutions” expansion’s most expensive card, Umbreon EX, is valued at $1,604 and this number is only rising. Finding this particular set in stores or online has become nearly impossible due to the value of these cards as well as the expansion as a whole. The “Scarlet and Violet: Prismatic Evolutions” expansion, along with other new expansions, are the center of mass purchases and reselling of cards due to their high value. Some people, known as scalpers, even purchase these expansions without opening them simply to make a profit by reselling them for more than what they originally paid.
As a result of this increasing popularity, stores that are typically stocked with many different expansions are left with bare shelves and disappointed customers. Many stores have even placed limits on the amount of Pokémon products any one customer can purchase.
Looking ahead to the release of yet another new TCG expansion set on March 28, Pokémon “Scarlet and Violet: Journey Together,” we can expect to see a reaction similar to that of the “Scarlet and Violet: Prismatic Evolutions” expansion release, with fans flooding stores both in person and online in search of product.
The Pokémon fan base is only growing alongside constant new releases, so if you are in search of new expansions, try shopping online or in stores early on the day of release. Good luck in your search!
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Featured Image by selugallego – stock.adobe.com
