Despite more than 10 billion Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards being printed in 2026, many interested buyers are still unable to purchase them at recommended retail prices. The game’s immense popularity has made it highly attractive to resellers looking for easy profits, prompting Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to take action to correct the situation.
During a recent shareholder meeting, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the company is fully aware that large batches of cards are ending up in the hands of resellers. These individuals exploit the heated market to inflate prices, preventing regular consumers from accessing products at official values.
To combat this issue, Nintendo’s leadership outlined several strategic adjustments:
“Nintendo also communicates with The Pokémon Company as necessary to discuss appropriate ways to deliver products to consumers,” Furukawa explained. “We believe they will continue to take steps to respond to this issue.”
While Nintendo is one of the primary investors in the company responsible for the pocket monsters, the Japanese gaming giant does not own it. The Pokémon Company operates autonomously and does not depend on approval from Furukawa’s corporation to make most of its operational decisions.
Demand for Pokémon TCG cards exploded during the pandemic, alongside other collectibles like Magic: The Gathering. However, while consumer demand for items such as video games, sneakers, and clothing eventually declined over time, the physical card game did not follow the same trend. It continues to heavily attract both fans and resellers.
The scale of the global phenomenon is highlighted by the following official data:
| Metric | Official Figures |
| Total Cards Printed (Historical) | Over 75 billion cards (still insufficient to meet total demand) |
| Cards Printed in 2026 Alone | Over 10 billion cards |
| Global Availability | Sold across more than 90 different regions worldwide |
| Language Translations | Translated into 16 languages, including Brazilian Portuguese |
Amanda Torati is a linguist and postgraduate researcher who specializes in the intersection of storytelling and interactive media. With a deep fascination for the gaming ecosystem, she focuses on deconstructing game narratives and technical trends to make them accessible to players of all levels. At ABWaves Game, Amanda combines her academic background with in-depth research to deliver reviews and guides that are both precise and engaging, ensuring readers stay informed in a fast-paced digital world.
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