Before revolutionizing the video game industry, Nintendo has made a name for itself in the production of traditional playing cards. This centenary expertise in the field of card games contributed to the vision that gave birth At Pokémon cards, the first product derived from the franchise that was going to conquer the world.
Pokémon and magicians
The history of Pokémon cards is intimately linked to that of Wizards of the Coastan American company specializing in role -playing games and collecting cards. Founded in 1990, she had already had resounding success with Magic The Gathering before developing and distributing Pokémon cards in the West between 1998 and 2003. This collaboration was decisive in the rapid expansion of the game beyond Japanese borders, allowing the name The collecting card game to touch the Western markets with culturally appropriate adaptations.
Initially launched in Japan by Media Factory in 1996, the game quickly established itself as a natural complement to Game Boy video games. The first sets immediately captured the imagination of children with the iconic illustrations of Ken Sugimori et Mitsuhiro Aritacreating a collection frenzy that still continues today.
JCC’s basic rules
In its most basic form, the Pokémon card game is based on a duel between trainers, each using a set of 60 cards. The initiates then speak of ” deck ». These decks are made up of Pokémon cards, energy (necessary to activate their attacks) and trainer (application of strategic effects). The goal of the game is to put Ko the opponent’s Pokémon, to recover reward cards. The victory goes to the first player who collects six. These simple rules allowed the game to seduce both novices and experienced players.
Local competitions at the regional, national and global championships, the Pokémon card game has developed a flourishing competitive scene Under the aegis of Play! Pokémon. These events attract thousands of participants and spectators from around the world, offering substantial prices and recognition within the community. The Pokémon World Championships, in particular, have become a major annual event, featuring the best players in fierce competitions.
Catch them all!
The Pokémon Card Market has experienced phenomenal growth that exceeds all initial projections. According to the most recent data, nearly 53 billion Pokémon cards were produced worldwide in 2023, distributed in 89 countries and regions. This massive production represents an overall collector’s collecting market estimated at $ 21.4 billion in 2024, with projections reaching $ 58.2 billion by 2034, an impressive annual growth rate of 13 %.
Pokémon cards were the only toy to exceed $ 1 billion in 2024, demonstrating their domination in the collecting objects sector. The Pokémon Company sold 9.7 billion cards during the 2022/2023 tax fiscal year, marking the best of the last seven years for the one called in English trading card game.
No mask for Pokémon cards
If Pokémon video games initially triggered the euphoria around the franchise, the collecting card market has recently reached unimaginable heights, even surprising the Pokémon Company. The Pandemic of Covid-19 played an unexpected role in this frenzy.
Social networks and streaming platforms have amplified the phenomenon, with influencers and celebrities sharing their openings in card packages that are boosters and their exceptional discoveries. Logan Paul’s publicized purchase of a box of Boosters Base Set for $ 3.5 million has generated considerable attention and fueled the perception of Pokémon cards as an opportunity for lucrative investment.
We are still talking about Pokémon cards or actions there?
This resulted in a price explosion on the secondary market. Some rare cards have reached astronomical values, like the Pikachu Illustrator sold for $ 5.275 million in 2021, establishing a world record. Pokémon and Sports cards now outperform the S&P 500 with annual yields over 46 %, attracting investors from generation Z and Millennials.
Some Pokémon cards have demonstrated compound annual growth rates (CAGR) by 30 to 40 %, surpassing numerous traditional stock market investments. Booster boxes (called Display) Base Set Unlimited, for example, displayed a CAGR of 22.375 % over 25 years, from around 90 dollars to $ 114,000.
Professional gradation services such as PSA, CGC and Beckett have become crucial in this ecosystem, with more than 20 million cards undergoing professionally in 2024, an increase of 16 % compared to 2023. A Dracaufeu Card Première non -graded edition can sell around 500 dollars, while a PSA 10 version can reach more than $ 300,000.
The collecting card industry as a whole now generates $ 1 billion in annual income for manufacturers and retailers. This craze even pushed GameStop (and therefore micromania with us) to reposition themselves on this market, the collectibles representing 29 % of the company’s sales in the first quarter of 2025, exceeding sales of video games.
The company now prints maximum capacity to meet explosive demandwhile maintaining high quality standards. This balanced approach between nostalgia and innovation continues to consolidate the position of Pokémon cards as a major cultural and economic pillar.
Why are Pokémon cards also requested after almost 30 years of existence?
The sustainable appeal of Pokémon cards lies in their ability to create bridges between generations. Those who grew up with Pokémon now have their own children with whom to share this passion, often creating a return to the old collection of cards. We must not forget either the nostalgic attraction of the cards and the newly acquired purchasing power of the thirties who embark on the collection.
This multi -generational dimension, combined with the constant evolution of the Pokémon universe with new generations of monsters and media, ensures a large and global fans that continues to grow. Pokémon cards have transcended their simple derivative product status To become a full -fledged cultural phenomenon.
The phenomenon also becomes digital with JCC Pokémon Pocket
In order to perpetuate the success of the collecting card game, the JCC Pokémon Pocket application has just been published, generating $ 90.4 million in revenue in February 2025, compared to 66.2 million in January. The game is therefore exported in digital version by being reworked for the occasion. With the possibility of opening two free boosters per day, to discover unprecedented immersive cards, but also to participate in fights between trainers, the application is aimed at younger generations as well as in fans of the first hour.
This transition to digital represents a natural evolution of the franchise, making it possible to reach new markets while preserving the essence of the traditional card game. It’s simple, Card collectors also want to have their digital collection, then Pocket followers are tempted to buy physical cards. Malin.
Nothing can stop the phenomenon of Pokémon cards
The persistent and even growing success of Pokémon collecting cards testifies to The strength of an economic model which has managed to transcend its initial status of derived product to become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Pokémon cards have proven their ability to generate economic value while maintaining their cultural and emotional appeal.
One of the most fun points of the phenomenon is undoubtedly its longevity, Pokémon cards still exchange in school lessonsdozens of years after their arrivals in our regions.
The French Pokémania will be precisely the object of episode 4 of our series dedicated to Pokémon, so meet next week and good reading on a press-citron!
📍 To not miss any Citron press, follow us on Google News and Whatsapp.