GameStop’s Pokémon TCG anniversary prices are shockingly high.

With the full lineup of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary products now revealed, pre-orders have officially kicked off at GameStop. Known for its higher prices on Pokémon cards, the retailer is once again raising eyebrows with its pricing for this special set.

While the Pokémon Company hasn’t disclosed the official prices yet, GameStop’s listings for the items launching on September 16 are already turning heads due to their steep markups.

The most notable shock comes from the price of the 30th anniversary Elite Trainer Box, which typically retails for $49.99. GameStop is selling it for a staggering $129.99, marking a nearly 260% increase. Fans are bracing themselves for the price of the Ultra Premium box, which usually has an MSRP of $129.99, fearing it could be even higher.

Pre-order prices are locked in, meaning customers will pay the price advertised at the time of their order, while GameStop retains the ability to adjust prices for new customers. This practice has been common for sought-after Pokémon products.

“Who needs scalpers when you have GameStop?” one fan quipped.

“This is just blatant greed,” another fan remarked.

Despite the eye-watering prices, some Pokémon enthusiasts are still placing pre-orders.

“I’m buying a bunch idc,” one fan shared on a subreddit dedicated to Pokémon TCG deals.

“I ordered 8,” another fan chimed in.

Many fans believe that market prices for these products could soar even higher than GameStop’s current rates. Relying on other retailers might lead to long waits or missing out entirely. While GameStop’s prices are steep, they guarantee a purchase, and fans have the option to cancel their orders if they change their minds.

“Let’s be real, scalpers ain’t gonna let us find this on the shelf no matter how hard TPC has been printing,” a fan commented on a YouTube video discussing the prices.

“Definitely preordered 2 ETBs, that’s coming from someone who NEVER hits on PC or Target,” another fan noted. “And you want me to try to do that on arguably Pokémon’s biggest set ever? Nah, I’ll fork over the premium lol.”

GameStop employees have indicated that the retailer is intentionally creating a sense of urgency by imposing purchase limits, making customers feel like items will sell out quickly. While demand is high at launch, workers suggest that the initial panic subsides, leaving GameStop with plenty of stock.

The Pokémon Company has had ample time to prepare for this release, especially since recent sets leading up to the 30th anniversary have been relatively small. For instance, the upcoming Pitch Black set features only 115 cards. Modern sets typically range from 200 to 250 cards, so it’s possible that the smaller sizes have allowed TPC to focus more resources on what could be the hottest set of 2026.

This is all speculation, of course. However, TPC has been actively seeking solutions to combat the scalping issue over the past year, implementing measures like purchase limits, ID checks, and encouraging players to engage with the game. The Pokémon Center drop on June 30 was well-received by fans who had struggled to find products at MSRP for months. With such a high-profile release on the horizon, the company is likely considering how to ensure a sufficient supply to meet demand.