GameStop Drives Up Prices for Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary Cards Significantly

Prices for Pokémon cards are in a constant state of flux, largely due to the rampant scalping in the hobby. Recently, retailers have begun testing the waters by increasing card prices to see if collectors will pay even more in their hunt for the next big find. Target was seen doing this earlier in the week, and now GameStop appears to be following suit, eager to capitalize on the trend.

GameStop is currently taking pre-orders for the upcoming 30th anniversary set at inflated prices, and while The Pokémon Company hasn’t revealed official pricing yet, GameStop seems to be setting its own, which is significantly higher than what is expected to be the suggested retail price.

A prime example of this issue is the anniversary set’s Elite Trainer Box (ETB). Historically, ETBs have retailed for around $50, but GameStop is offering this one for a staggering $130—almost three times the usual cost.

“These prices are not good for the customers,” one Reddit user commented. “GameStop is getting slammed online for their pricing. It’s puzzling why they haven’t positioned themselves as a go-to spot for collectors. This approach, rather than combating scalping, just ends up hurting regular fans.”

The unfortunate reality is that scalper prices have soared so high that some believe this might not even be the peak for this set.

“You can bet scalpers will be charging more than $129 for the ETB,” another Reddit user noted. “The hype around this set is unreal. The cards are awesome. It’s frustrating to pay $129, but this might be the lowest price unless you’re willing to camp out overnight at Target.”

It’s disheartening to see how much the Pokémon scene has been tainted, with even young fans viewing these cards as investment opportunities rather than enjoying them as collectibles featuring their favorite characters. Some retailers are attempting to combat scalping by requiring IDs for purchases or quizzing buyers on their Pokémon knowledge to ensure they’re genuine fans. In GameStop’s case, it seems they’re more focused on profiting off scalpers first, then turning around to charge fans even more. It’s a disappointing situation.