The Pokémon card scene is getting out of control again. Things seemed to calm down for a bit following a pandemic-fueled collecting frenzy, but new sets in 2025 are selling out and prices on the secondhand market are skyrocketing. And it’s all going down at GameStop, the unexpected new hot spot for Pokémon TCG madness as the struggling video game retailer continues its reinvention.
2025 kicked off for the TCG with the Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions expansion in January, followed by the Journey Together expansion in March, and now Destined Rivals is set to drop at the end of the month. But it’s not just about new sets. Special promotional collections featuring specific cards and extra booster packs are also fueling the craze. According to Polygon, the Prismatic Evolutions Super-Premium Collection caused quite a stir among passionate fans and scalpers alike when it went on sale on May 16. Reports of customers camping out for days at a time and huddling outside in storms have been circulating. Line etiquette has become a point of contention, with some people getting upset about others saving spots and cutting in line. One frustrated individual even gave up their spot to a kid behind them, expressing their disappointment in the behavior of those who budged in line.
The growing frustration has prompted GameStop to implement a new rule for the upcoming Destined Rivals launch. Starting Tuesday, customers will be limited to one unit per purchase, whether they’re buying single boosters or entire boxes. This move aims to give more people a fair shot at getting their hands on the new releases and deter scalpers from flooding stores on release days. The response to the new rule has been largely positive, with many expressing relief and satisfaction that steps are being taken to address the chaos. However, some have voiced disappointment that the rule wasn’t in place earlier, particularly during the release of the Prismatic Super Premium Collection. The limited supply of boxes coupled with the two-per-customer allowance led to frustration among collectors.
Despite the challenges and chaos, GameStop has embraced the Pokémon TCG market, doubling down on its involvement since announcing plans to grade and resell cards last year. Some stores have transformed into “takeover stores,” dedicating their entire space to displaying Pokémon TCG packs, only to see them completely sell out within days. Once a bystander in the trading card frenzy, GameStop now stands to benefit from the hype surrounding valuable card resales. While some fans appreciate the retailer’s commitment to the TCG community, others lament the negative impact of scalpers and resellers on the hobby. The increasing competition and demand have even led to instances of vendors and restockers being stalked by scalpers, highlighting the darker side of the collecting craze.
The Pokémon TCG may be experiencing a resurgence, but it’s not without its challenges and controversies. As GameStop navigates its evolving role in the trading card market, fans and collectors are left grappling with issues of scarcity, scalping, and the changing dynamics of card collecting. The future of the Pokémon card scene remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—this latest wave of madness is showing no signs of slowing down.
