The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) has experienced significant price inflation, especially since COVID-19. This has made it harder for collectors, players, and casual fans to purchase products at fair prices. This is currently an alarming issue in the United States, Canada, and possibly other countries worldwide.

Don’t worry; you’re not alone if you have tried to buy packs at a retail price only to find empty shelves or listings online at double or triple the retail price. The skyrocketing costs have left many frustrated, wondering why a hobby meant to bring joy has become so expensive.

In Malaysia, it’s not as hectic as in other countries, but there has been a rise in Live Sellers, which seems to be driving higher prices. Collectors have also grown over the last few years while stock is still being ordered on a minimal.

Behind the Pokemon TCG Card Price Inflation

So, what exactly is driving these price hikes? There is not just one culprit—it’s a perfect storm of market forces, hype culture, and supply chain issues combined to create artificial scarcity.

From scalpers clearing out store shelves to influencers hyping up certain sets, multiple groups make it more difficult (and costly) to get your hands on the latest Pokemon cards. And let’s not forget The Pokemon Company, which has struggled to keep up with demand.

Malaysia Pokemon TCG Event — One of the vendors at a recent Pokemon TCG Event in Malaysia.

Whether you are a seasoned collector, a competitive player, or just someone who enjoys cracking open packs, understanding the key players behind Pokemon TCG price inflation can help you navigate the chaos. Let’s break down the factors driving these rising prices and see if there’s any hope for the future of fair-priced Pokemon cards.

The Pokemon Trading Card Game market has become chaotic, with skyrocketing prices, supply shortages, and intense product competition. Several factors contribute to this situation, creating a perfect storm of hype, speculation, and artificial scarcity.

And right now, the English version of the Pokemon TCG seems chaotic worldwide. Over in this part, many are still used to the Japanese versions as it takes forever for the English versions to arrive at our shores.

Pokemon Center XY Break Box Mario Pikachu — This is one of the rare Mario Pikachu Pokemon Center XY Break Box sets in Malaysia.

Here is why the Pokemon TCG market feels like it’s spiralling out of control:

Scalpers

Scalpers buy out sealed Pokemon products from retail stores as soon as they hit the shelves, intending to resell them at a premium on secondary markets like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and other platforms. This practice creates artificial scarcity, making it seem like products are rarer than they are. As a result, frustrated collectors and players often turn to the secondary market, where they are forced to pay inflated prices. The cycle continues as scalpers reinvest their profits into more products, further driving demand.

Influencers

YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms have given rise to Pokemon influencers who create content around card openings, investment strategies, and market trends. By hyping up certain sets, calling attention to “undervalued” cards, and speculating on future price increases, influencers drive their audiences to buy modern products en masse. This surge in demand leads to rapid sellouts at retail, enabling scalpers to exploit the market and push prices even higher. While some influencers genuinely enjoy the hobby and aim to educate their viewers, others knowingly contribute to artificial scarcity by fueling hype cycles.

Malaysia Rare Expensive Pokemon Cards — Some of the Rare, Expensive Pokemon Cards are sold at an event.

Live Sellers

Live shopping platforms such as WhatNot, eBay Live, Instagram Live and even Shopee Live have popularised the practice of breaking packs in real-time and selling them to an engaged audience. While this can be an entertaining experience, many live sellers take advantage of the hype by selling individual packs at massively inflated prices. By purchasing large quantities of sealed products directly from distributors or retailers, they restrict the supply available to casual collectors. This artificial demand increases overall market prices as more people are willing to pay a premium to pull a rare or valuable card.

Small Retailers

Unlike major retailers that sell at or near recommended retail prices, small game stores and independent card shops often charge above retail prices for Pokemon products, especially for highly sought-after sets. This is partially due to distributors charging them higher prices, forcing them to raise retail prices to maintain profit margins. However, some stores knowingly take advantage of scarcity by inflating prices further, making it even more difficult for the average fan to purchase cards at fair market value.

Big Retailers

While major chains like Walmart, Target, and GameStop in the USA sell Pokemon products at retail prices, their sales practices contribute to the scalping problem. Because these retailers stock limited quantities, scalpers can easily buy out entire shipments and resell the product for a profit. Additionally, some retailers have experimented with limiting purchases per customer or delaying product releases to curb scalping, but these measures have only had limited success.

Malaysia Pokemon Vendor — A vendor selling Pokemon boxes and cards at an event.

Distributors

Distributors, who act as the middlemen between The Pokemon Company and retailers, play a significant role in Pokemon card scarcity. Sometimes, they withhold products from stores, creating an artificial shortage that drives up demand and secondary market prices. This practice benefits distributors and resellers but frustrates collectors who struggle to find products at retail prices. Some distributors also prioritise larger clients or live sellers, making it even harder for small stores or individual buyers to secure inventory.

FOMO Buyers (Fear of Missing Out)

Pokemon fans who impulsively buy products at inflated prices, fearing they will miss out, unintentionally contribute to the problem. By purchasing cards regardless of price, these buyers reinforce the idea that demand is high enough to justify scalping and price inflation. This behaviour encourages resellers to continue marking products, knowing buyers will pay a premium to avoid missing out on the latest trend.

The Pokemon Company International (TPCi)

Ultimately, The Pokemon Company International has the power to alleviate many of these issues by increasing print runs and ensuring that more products reach the hands of players and collectors. However, they have struggled to keep up with demand, often underprinting popular sets or failing to reprint highly sought-after products. While scarcity can create excitement and drive sales, TPCi’s inability to meet demand has frustrated many fans, allowing resellers to capitalise on the situation.

Malaysia Rare Pokemon Cards — A section of super rare Pokemon cards was on display at a recent event in Malaysia.

Conclusion

A single factor does not cause the inflated prices of Pokemon cards but rather a combination of scalpers, influencers, live sellers, retailers, distributors, FOMO-driven buyers, and even TPCi itself. While some actors are motivated purely by profit, others respond to market conditions.

Until The Pokemon Company increases supply to match demand and retailers implement better anti-scalping measures, the Pokemon TCG market will continue to experience inflated prices and artificial scarcity.

The above are some of the main reasons behind the Pokemon TCG card price inflation that is taking the world by storm, even in Malaysia or Southeast Asia.

David Explores

Behind the Pokémon TCG Card Price Inflation