Pokémon TCG Fans Will Now Have A Much Easier Way To Get Rare Cards (2024)

A recent development in the world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game promises to make it much easier to obtain rare cards. The Pokémon TCG releases new sets several times a year, all of which include some extremely hard-to-find cards. Of course, these cards are more coveted directly because of their rarity, and even more so when considering the beauty of their artwork, and so demand for them is always high among collectors.

There are several grades of rare cards in the Pokémon TCG, with some of the most recognizable being the full-art designs of Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare cards. Of course, depending on the size of a specific expansion, the number of such cards and the chances of finding one in a booster pack can vary. The Special Illustration Rare and Hyper Rare cards of the Temporal Forces set, for example, reportedly have the lowest pull rates to date. Naturally, this makes collecting them an expensive endeavor, whether somebody buys booster packs or seeks to find copies online.

GameStop Is Beginning To Buy & Sell Pokémon Card Singles

Now, however, completing a collection is becoming notably easier for some. As reported by PokéBeach, select U.S. GameStop stores are beginning to trade in singles, individual cards that can be bought and, in some cases, sold by customers. It is worth noting that there is a slight catch in that, in order to trade them in, Pokémon cards will need to be graded at PSA 8 or higher. However, it is easy to see this as GameStop simply wishing to ensure that its new stock is of a reliably high quality, thereby helping to ensure the confidence of their customers.

Of course, this development marks a step forward in the gaming store chain’s already strong ties to the Pokémon franchise. GameStop has been a popular partner for various promotional events for years, including many promo card distributions. For example, it was one of the few retailers that stocked the Ceruledge promo card for Pokémon Day 2024. Naturally, GameStop has also been instrumental in distributing many event Pokémon through codes given out in-store, including otherwise-unavailable Mythical Pokémon. This has established the chain as a crucial part of completing the Pokédex in recent Generations of the franchise.

Although Pokémon cards are typically bought in booster packs or other related products, it is easy to see why GameStop has shifted to selling single cards as well. According to PokéBeach, one GameStop manager has stated this “is the obvious next step for the company” as it sees a decline in other physical media, such as video games. It is believed that trading cards will help fill this gap, leading to a decision to stock singles from both Pokémon and other card franchises. Although only available at select locations at first, the program will later be available in all stores.

GameStop’s Card Prices Ignore The Fluctuations Of The Wider Card Market

As it stands, it is worth noting there are limits to the cards that GameStop is willing to accept from customers. Namely, the store chain has set an upper limit on the value of graded trade-ins, and will not be accepting any card with a market value of over $500. Additionally, only cards graded via PSA will be accepted, at least for the time being. Presumably, these decisions are intended to put a limit on any potential losses to theft or fraud, and maintain a level of consistency in grading.

Additionally, although graded cards will be sold online, more commonplace Holos and Reverse Holo cards will be available in-store for $1 each. In some ways, this will be a blessing for those who are looking for a specific small group of cards, providing easy access to these needed cards without the need to essentially gamble by purchasing booster packs. However, it is important to recognize that GameStop is far from the first retailer to sell singles, with many independent local stores already doing so. Moreover, GameStop’s standardized prices may also prove to be less than appealing at times.

There are already well-established online marketplaces for trading cards such as TCGplayer, which list cards at individual prices. Many Holo and Reverse Holo cards listed on TCGplayer are priced at only a few cents, far below the $1 prices offered by GameStop. For example, at the time of writing TCGplayer lists Temporal Forces’ Rare Holo Whimsicott (015/162) card as having a market price of $0.03. Its Reverse Holo version, meanwhile, is valued at $0.11. As a result, a large portion of GameStop’s singles may actually be overpriced when compared to the pre-existing market prices.

GameStop’s Pokémon Card Prices Promise Reliability & Consistency

Of course, fluctuating market prices may mean some rarer cards on the market may prove to become a bargain at GameStop, especially if any later expansion into rarer singles comes with similarly low prices for the cards. This would undoubtedly prove to be a great boon for those who are able to visit the U.S. stores. Similarly, depending on the prices for more valuable graded cards, GameStop could easily become a popular source of these quality cards for many Pokémon TCG collectors and players, even if some of these are valued at and later sold for hundreds of dollars.

The fact that GameStop will be a trusted, physical location for many will also be a great assurance to those who might otherwise hesitate at purchasing single cards online. Of course, there are plenty of independent stores around the U.S. already carrying singles, so the precise popularity of GameStop’s own selection may differ greatly depending on location. Nevertheless, an additional source of readily accessible cards can only be a positive on the whole.

It can be immensely frustrating to have one or two spaces in an otherwise complete collection of trading cards, whether they be Pokémon cards specifically or another property. Although other options do exist and will doubtlessly remain available, GameStop’s decision to enter the singles market represents an additional and very appealing option for many buyers and sellers. Of course, the appeal of their prices may vary depending on the card in question, but it is clear that GameStop is keen to become a reliable new way for everybody to deal in Pokémon Trading Card Game cards.

Sources: PokéBeach, TCGplayer