You may have noticed plenty of stories over the past year or so covering Pokémon cards and scalpers. Extremely rare cards going for absurd prices, and even Target stores in America suspending sales of the cards due to high demands and safety.
The Pokémon Company acknowledged these issues and the shortages that were affecting demand, and yesterday, Polygon reports that The Pokémon Company responded by printing more than 9 billion cards over the past 12 months. That's more than double the previous year's amount of 3,7 billion, and even more than the average 1 to 2 billion cards (as Serebii's Joe Merrick told Polygon).
To put this into even more context — because 9 billion is a lot — between 2020 and 2022, more than a quarter of all Pokémon cards ever printed were done so during this period. The huge demand hit at the same time as the global pandemic kicked in, which saw prices increase and stock decrease, with The Pokémon Company struggling to keep up with demand.
Polygon spoke to Charlie Hurlocker, a consultant for grading company CGC, who believes that The Pokémon Company are potentially filling the market with collectables to help bring the prices down. And it's working!
- Further reading - Pokémon Trading Card Game Introduces Peelable Ditto Cards
Hurlocker also told Polygon that “Pokémon cards peaked in 2021 at six cents a card — any card was worth six cents, just because there was so much demand. Now that price has catered. It’s like one cent, and the two biggest [bulk] buyers aren’t even purchasing.” Good news all around for those of you who collect Pokémon Cards or play the Trading Card Game, then!
Are you a Pokémon Trading Card Game player? Have you found it easier to pick up cards recently? Let us know in the comments!
[source polygon.com]
Comments 22
The white light effect on Pikachu in the article photo makes him look like he's just snorted...uh...'illicit substances'...
Glad to see TPC actively combatting artificial scarcity.
Who ever thought that making more of something to deal with a shortage is a genius must have taken a room full of experts to come up with that idea.
@DrLockdown He does have a Tony Montana thing going on there. Explains why he's so happy too.
This is old news. Scalping Pokemon cards finished with Celebrations. The issues were combined with shipping delays and slight under printing and popularity going up during the pandemic. It's back down to levels pre Hidden Fates now and new holiday sets sellers selling ETBs for £40, when RRP would be £52.50.
@DrLockdown The price has been brought down to such an extent that such substances are no longer the preserve of investment bankers and hedge fund managers. Now, even rats can afford it.
That means every human on the planet could have at least one card. That's ... how can they need that many!?
Probably much to the ire of idiots that ‘invest’ in these things.
Good. More for everyone who want them.
"A super effective strategy" not really. The quality of the cards have skydived after these massive reprints. I have cards of the newest sets that look fake and with very little color.
I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of card scalpers suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something wonderful has happened.
That means they have to of made like 900 million packs or so. If sold at like $5 a pack that’s like 4.5 billion dollars. Though I think my numbers are off as not every card goes into a pack
Actually I can print the Pokemon card template from Google image just for myself as private collection.
You know, maybe TPC should just go all-digital on the TCG, but that would basically be the same as supporting the sale of NFTs for use in a card game.
@YoshiAngemon They most certainly should not lol
@PessitheMystic buy boxes > keep them shrink wrapped > wait.
Better return than the stock market. Keep those sidelines warm though.
I would say something witty but I got nothing.
Good job Pokémon.
@Sonos and you think you’re the only one that has that idea? The market will be insanely over-saturated by the time it comes to selling and they won’t be worth much at all.
Bad move. But you can keep telling yourself that your children’s card game is a good investment if you want.
@Maxz @SteamEngenius @DrLockdown I have one of those fat Pikachu figures. It has a sensor at the bottom that makes it say its name when you place it on your hand. The effect on its face is not due to lighting. The toy's really painted that way, unfortunately, making it look like a snorter. 😂
Much to the dismay of the overpriced printed card paper collectors the world over.
@PessitheMystic If the market is oversaturated, then you haven't waited long enough.
Removed - flaming/arguing
Great news.
Also here's some interesting news: The Canadian/UK Pokemon cards have more of a darker colour than the USA version of the cards. And overall I believe the CA/UK cards are in better quality I think?
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