Highlights
- GameStop’s move into Pokemon TCG card sales sparks concern in the community due to fears of counterfeit cards flooding the market.
- GameStop initially plans to accept only PSA 8-10 graded Pokemon cards valued at up to $500, with potential nationwide expansion.
- Some fans argue GameStop’s target demographic is children interested in the game, minimizing impact on the professional trading card market.
Although a niche market, PSA-approved individual PokemonTCG cards have garnered significant attention from major retailers in the US. Walmart, for instance, has served as an online marketplace for these items for some time. Now GameStop, a leading video game retailer in the US, recently announced its intentions to venture into the Pokemon Trading Card Game realm. Yet, fans express concerns.
Pokemon TCG has consistently been GameStop’s top-selling product in its Toys & Games section. The company has further capitalized on the game’s popularity, exemplified by GameStop’s strategic partnerships with The Pokemon Company and by hosting themed events like Pokemon Trade & Play, though these events are now seen as groundwork for GameStop’s forthcoming initiatives in this realm.
Related
Pokemon TCG Sales Reportedly Way Down Since Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon TCG sales are down since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet launched in 2022, thanks to a variety of factors including supply and economic issues.
A recent Reddit post went viral after a user shared an internal snapshot of GameStop’s announcement regarding its latest service: the buying and selling of PSA-approved single Pokemon cards. As per the message, this new service is set to debut on May 13th, initially launching in 258 chosen stores with the intention of expanding it nationwide to all GameStop outlets. Currently, the company will solely accept PSA 8–10 Pokemon TCG cards valued at up to $500. However, it remains uncertain whether this price limit will undergo future adjustments or if the same criteria will be maintained for the cards it will sell.
While GameStop’s foray into the trading card market might be welcomed by casual collectors and the company’s shareholders, it has raised apprehensions among professional collectors. They argue that GameStop may not be a reputable retailer for two primary reasons: firstly, its reputation for offering low prices when purchasing items from customers, and secondly, its lack of expertise in the field, potentially resulting in counterfeit Pokemon cards flooding the market.
The announcement message states that “All Associates will undergo a learning course around accepting PSA cards,” indicating that GameStop does not plan to hire expert-level staff for this new service. However, some hopeful fans argue that GameStop’s target demographic is children interested in the game, and their impact on the professional trading card market will be minimal. On the other hand, some suggest that this new strategy is merely a response to GameStop’s oddly fluctuating stocks in the market, which could result in sloppy execution and potentially harm the community in the long term.
![PokemonTCGFranchisePage](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PokemonTCGFranchisePage.jpg)
Pokemon TCG
Pokemon TCG (Trading Card Game) is a collectible and strategy based card game based on Nintendo’s Pokemon franchise. Two players face off against one another, battling one Pokemon at a time and attempting to knock them out to claim one of six prize cards. The cards have also become highly collectible with some in particular selling for thousands of dollars.
- Original Release Date
- October 20, 1996