The Pokémon Trading Card Game has hit its apex in some markets. It’s selling out instantly, and none of those purchases are from players. Speculators and investors have been buying up stock by the thousands in recent years, making it impossible to get some of the rarer sets.
Take Ascended Heroes. That set (one of the largest in Pokémon TCG history) was released at the beginning of 2026, but many players haven’t been able to get a single pack for it. Even with periodic restocks online and in-store, some sets are as mythical as the Pokémon they feature.
For years, unhappy fans have been clamoring for something to be done about it, and it looks like we could get our wish. Thanks to a new statement from Nintendo, things might be changing (via CBR)
During an annual general meeting of shareholders, investors had the chance to speak up and question Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa on a number of issues. Most of the inquiries were directed to Nintendo’s software and hardware divisions, focusing on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
But one investor in particular asked about the Pokémon Trading Card Game, specifically about issues with reselling. Asking how Nintendo plans on allowing fans to “purchase with peace of mind,” the investor wanted to know how Nintendo is handling the extreme spike in scalping for the TCG.
Here’s what Furukawa had to say on the matter: “In response, The Pokémon Company is taking various measures, including made-to-order sales and agreements with marketplace operators. For online priority drawings for certain products, I understand that The Pokémon Company also plans to use an account verification method that utilizes My Number Cards [Japan’s official government-issued ID cards].”
Furukawa notes that “Nintendo also communicates with The Pokémon Company as needed to discuss appropriate ways to deliver products to consumers,” adding further evidence that they’ll be looking into the situation. As a reminder, Nintendo has a say in The Pokémon Company, but it’s a joint entity with multiple companies. There will have to be some sort of solution that will make every party happy, so it may not happen overnight (or at all).
That said, the situation has been ongoing for many years and hit a milestone in 2020 when availability was even worse after speculators and investors got wrapped up in the Pokémon TCG craze. We’re hoping Nintendo ends up doing something about it, but it’s been an issue for some time.
- Released
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April 10, 2000
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Hudson Soft
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer