Gotta Catch ‘Em All: The World of Pokémon Collectibles

It’s 1998. After three years Japan, the Pokémon phenomenon has finally reached the US. Children are tuning in weekly to the animated TV series following Ash Ketchum and his Pokémon on a quest to become a Pokémon Master. The Red, Blue, and Yellow versions of the Pokémon game are available on Game Boy. The first pack of cards, the Pokémon Demo Game Pack, has made its way into the homes, hearts, and imaginations of countless children across the US. And it’s only the beginning.

Pokémon was created under the name “Pocket Monsters” by Satoshi Tajiri, the founder and president of Game Freak. He pitched the idea to Nintendo and the first Pokémon game was released on Game Boy in Japan in 1996. The first trading cards were released in the same year, marking the foundation of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). The TV series followed a year later; all before the Pokémon craze ever reached American shores.

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There’s no mystery around why Pokémon became so popular so quickly and on such a global scale. Ash was all of us: determined to make his way in the world, enduring hardships and challenges, and meeting friends along the way. The Pokémon themselves are instantly recognizable, with distinct personalities, quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. Within years of its creation, Pokémon dominated three different media and thus maximized its access to a wide range of audiences. Games for Game Boy owners, an animated TV show for TV viewers, and cards for juvenile collectors. There were even kids who bought Game Boys simply to play the Pokémon game.

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And you have to remember that this was the late 90s. Access to technology was limited; kids might trade Pokémon by connecting their Game Boys via a cable but there were no Androids or iPhones to play Pokémon Go. The Pokémon TCG happened exclusively in person. The aim was to build a deck that would make your friends green with jealousy – or make them tremble in fear when you pulled out your Professor Oak card.

Nearly 30 years later, collecting Pokémon cards is more popular than ever. The kids who avidly pursued and hoarded the best cards have become adults who still get a thrill from finding or buying the perfect card to add to their collection. Card collecting is a hobby that spans continents and generations. The Pokémon Company International, founded in 1998 and owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures Inc., reports that more than 64.8 billion Pokémon cards have been produced in 15 languages in 93 countries and regions.

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Some collectors choose rare cards, mint cards, or the oldest and most battered cards they can find. Some collect sealed packs, while others gather packs to open them, addicted to the rush that comes from discovering an unexpected gem. For some people, collecting is based on monetary value and they keep their high-grade (good or mint condition) cards safely in binders to await the day when they can sell them. There’s big money in rare, mint condition cards – as evidenced by Youtuber Logan Paul buying a population 1 PSA 10 (perfect condition) 1998 Illustrator Pikachu card for a staggering $4 million plus his own PSA 9 illustrator card worth $1.25 million.

But for others, the value of card collection goes beyond money. Pokémon embodies nostalgia. The world of Pokémon is filled with rich, compelling characters, from the trainers to the pocket monsters themselves. The video games are fun, engaging, and constantly evolving. The TV series, which ended in 2023 after an incredible 25-season run, brought our favorite characters to life in a way that made the TCG even more special and exciting. Card collection is many fans’ way of honoring the Pokémon franchise and the joy it offers.

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Of course, cards aren’t the only items sought-after by collectors. More Pokémon action figures and soft toys fill the shelves every year, celebrating not only the original characters but also the new Pokémon that have been introduced over the years. Funko, Bandai, Nanoblock, and Jazwares are among the companies that produce some of the most popular figurines for play or display. The other staples of a Pokémon Master, including Pokéballs and Pokédexes, are also in high demand, particularly vintage and limited editions. 

In a way, Pokémon collectibles have taken on a life separate from the games, TV series, and movies that make up the rest of the franchise. While many fans continue to enjoy the new adaptations and generations, others collect for the love of a game and TV series from long ago. The cards tell a whole story in and of themselves; we don’t need to follow the latest game, show, or movie to enjoy the fascinating and vibrant characters contained within those precious packs of cards. While the monetary value of cards and other collectibles continues to rise, the nostalgic power of Pokémon remains as strong as ever. 

Did you play the first Pokémon game on Game Boy? Were you a fan of the TV series? Leave a comment below to tell us about your favorite Pokémon! And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, for all things collectibles, pop culture, online deals, and more.

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