Origin

Pokémon Cards have been a worldwide sensation since their introduction in 1996. With over 25 years of history, these cards have captured the hearts of fans and collectors alike. In this blog, we will explore the journey of Pokémon Cards from their humble beginnings to their current status as one of the most valuable collectables in the world.

Pokémon Cards were first introduced in Japan in 1996, as a complement to the Pokémon video game franchise. They quickly gained popularity and were eventually released worldwide in 1999. The cards featured various Pokémon characters with different abilities and strengths, making them popular among kids and adults alike.

Original Gameboy edition – Pokemon Yellow

The rise of the Pokémon brand cannot be overlooked when discussing the popularity of Pokémon Cards. The franchise started as a pair of video games, Pokémon Red and Green, released for the Game Boy in Japan in 1996. The games allowed players to catch and train Pokémon, creatures with unique abilities and attributes, and battle them against other trainers.

The games were an instant hit, with their addictive gameplay and charming characters capturing the hearts of players around the world. The success of the games led to the creation of the popular TV series which follows Ash Ketchum around various regions from the Gameboy Game, movies, merchandise, and of course, new Pokémon Cards. The iconic characters, such as Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo, are instantly recognizable and have become symbols of the franchise.

The popularity of the video games and the franchise as a whole has only continued to grow, with new generations of fans being introduced to Pokémon every year.

Pokemon Cards

The value of Pokémon Cards is determined by their rarity, condition, and popularity. Certain cards are more valuable than others, depending on how rare they are and how popular the character is. For example, the Pikachu Illustrator card, which was only given to winners of a Japanese drawing competition, is one of the most valuable Pokémon Cards in existence, with some selling for over $200,000.

Collectors love Pokémon Cards because of the nostalgia they provide and the thrill of the hunt. Many collectors grew up with Pokémon and have fond memories of playing the games and trading cards with their friends. Collecting Pokémon Cards allows them to relive those memories and build a personal connection with their childhood.

PSA 10 CHARIZARD 1999 – WORTH UP TO £10,000

Additionally, the rarity and value of certain cards make collecting them a lucrative investment. Some collectors view their collections as an investment and buy cards with the hope of selling them for a profit in the future.

The value of Pokémon Cards is determined by several factors, including rarity, condition, and popularity. The rarer a card is, the more valuable it is likely to be. Cards that are in mint condition, meaning they have no signs of wear or damage, are also more valuable than cards that have been played with.

Finally, the popularity of the Pokémon character featured on the card can also affect its value. Fan-favourite characters like Pikachu and Charizard are some of the most popular and valuable Pokémon Cards.

The future of Pokémon Cards is bright, with new cards and sets being released regularly. Pokémon continues to be a popular franchise, with new games and merchandise being introduced regularly. As the Pokémon fanbase grows and new generations of fans are introduced to the franchise, the value of Pokémon Cards is likely to increase.

Nintendo in recent years made the world of Pokemon more interactive & immersive for Fans, developing the highly acclaimed PokemonGo in which players to go out into the world, walk about in familiar surroundings & catch or battle their favourite Pokemon using AR technology through mobile devices. This made what used to be a small community into a worldwide one.

Even from my own experience, I was on holiday in Florida queueing for a ride when I saw someone playing PokemonGo, it enables me to chat with them and exchange Pokemon I had either never caught or was unable to due to geographical restrictions. It really showed me what Niantic (the developer of the mobile game) was aiming for when they released it, a sense of community where you could quite literally talk to anyone about something you had in common & make Pokemon Relevant again in today’s age.

Pokémon Cards have come a long way since their introduction in 1996. From humble beginnings as a complement to the video game franchise, they have become one of the most valuable and sought-after collectables in the world. Collectors love them for their nostalgia and investment potential, while the rarity, condition, and popularity of certain cards make them valuable.

Thanks for reading, & if you enjoyed it or want to tell us your experiences drop us a comment.

Until NXT time…..