From what started out as a young man’s interest in collecting insects, and evolved to become a multi-billion dollar gaming and trading card enterprise, Pokemon is more than just a children’s past time. It’s a phenomenon that began in the 1980s and continues to captivate a fanbase that’s as old – and sometimes older – than the franchise itself. And with many of the earliest and rarest trading cards commanding million-dollar collector prices, they’re a phenomenon that’s attained investor status faster than any other type of trading card ever produced.
At their heart though, Pokemon cards are still precisely what they were originally intended to be: the keys to a tabletop gaming world that anyone can participate in. Whether it’s solo goldfish play, casual play with friends, or tournament-level play that demands an understanding of complex gaming mechanics, Pokemon cards offer benefits that every level of enthusiast can appreciate.
Putting Collectable Pokemon TCG Packs Into Perspective
Let’s be honest: whether it’s for the sheer fun and strategy-building of game play, or as part of a serious investing strategy, taking the time to build a high value Pokemon TCG collection can be one of the most rewarding recreational activities that a person can undertake. As part of a franchise universe that includes everything from statues and action figures, to films and video games, the trading card game (TCG) may not have been the first bit of Pokemon merchandise to hit the market, but it’s far and away its most revered. Once you purchase the cards, the adventure begins. And with a fit that’s as comfortably in a pocket as it is in a display case, it’s an adventure that goes anywhere the card owner takes it.
Understanding how Pokemon trading cards are packaged and sold is the crucial first step in joining the adventure. More than 200,000 distinct Pokémon cards having been published in roughly 13 different languages since the first starter pack/base set was released in 1996, making knowing the five basic pack configurations the essential starting point for every Pokemon enthusiast:
- Individual booster packs. Each individual Pokemon card pack consists of 10 trading cards, made up of 4 commonly (C) found cards, 3 uncommon (U) cards and 3 foil cards.
- Pokemon booster boxes. Booster boxes are made up of 36 individual Pokemon TCG packs, and offer fans and players a chance to purchase larger quantities of cards of the same theme at a discount price.
- Pokemon booster bundles. Booster bundles are made up of 6 Pokemon booster packs, and are an excellent cost/value compromise between buying individual packs and full booster boxes.
- Preconstructed Pokemon build kits. 40-card build kits are made up of combinations of booster packs and special cards, giving enthusiasts a theme-specific headstart on assembling their Pokemon decks.
- Preconstructed Pokemon theme decks. Ready to play, 60-card preconstructed decks are the perfect theme-specific Pokemon TCG box starter sets, especially for new players, and feature everything that’s needed to get a game going immediately.
Make no mistake, with 3–6 new main and reprinted Pokemon trading card sets released every year, along with the occasional special set, staying on top of the latest releases is a sport all by itself. It’s an essential part of keeping up with the latest trends in game strategy, especially for tournament-level players, as well as for casual fans and enthusiasts who want to build card decks around specific themes or characters.
Critical Attributes for Pokemon Card Investors
If the tactical importance of knowing how to decipher Pokemon trading card game packaging wasn’t already enough, it pales in comparison to the critical eye of Pokemon TCG collectors. They’re regularly on the lookout for older classics, along with well-cared-for rare (R), double rare (RR), ultra rare (UR) and super rare (SR) TCG cards. There’s no shortage of collectors, however, who buy Pokemon trading card packs with a specific focus on the future valuations of new releases. And for them, the packaging is just as important as the cards themselves.
Knowing which new packs are destined to increase in value and making sure that they remain unopened is the key to lucrative Pokemon trading card investing. That means developing an acute understanding of all the factors that make TCG Pokemon cards investment-worthy, including:
- Rarity of the release. New and special Pokemon releases and expansion packs with rare traits and abilities can be expected to command higher future values. That also includes modern original releases that use different packaging materials, or feature exceptional or unique artwork.
- Value of the contents of the release. Along with the rarity of special releases, some also include special promotional items. New, unopened boxes and bundles with rare foil cards, oversized cards, or other promotional materials all qualify as high value content and are reflected in the pack’s investment value.
- Condition of the packaging. As the amount of money involved in investing in TCG cards can be significant, the investor’s preference to buy Pokemon trading cards still in their original booster packaging is understandable. Not only does packaging preserve the card’s original state, it also reduces the risk of trading card damage or tampering.
There’s no getting around the fact that collecting is as much a part of the phenomenon surrounding Pokemon trading card games as the game-play itself. And like any investment-grade commodity, anyone considering collecting new Pokemon releases as part of a long term financial plan needs to be prepared to monitor the trends and do the research befitting of any other type of investment portfolio. That’s why regardless of whether a person is a Pokemon professor or purely a PokeInvestor, they should only be interested in looking at Pokemon trading cards for sale from retailers they know they can trust.
Reasons To Trust Reliable Online Pokemon TCG Retailers
For all the upsides offered by Pokemon TCGs, including great interactions between fellow fans and players, improved cognitive activity and problem solving skills, and amazing investment opportunities, it’s no surprise that there would be a problem with the prevalence of fake Pokemon cards. These cards are more than just worthless, though.
They’re a massive cause of mistrust at official tournaments, and can be catastrophic for card valuations in the collector marketplace. That’s why anytime fans or investors purchase Pokemon trading cards online, they should only buy from retailers they trust. Whether it’s shopping for rare cards in vintage booster boxes, or searching for limited releases of rare new offerings, the reasons for sticking with reputable online retailers are impossible to ignore, and they include:
- Uncompromised trust. With trusted online Pokemon trading card retailers, enthusiasts don’t have to worry about the inconvenience, embarrassment, or financial losses that could occur as a result of buying fake cards.
- Unlimited availability. Reputable online retailers enjoy virtually unlimited local and international reach when it comes to locating the most desirable Pokemon packs and releases. That gives enthusiasts the ability to safely pre-order sets with absolute confidence of their authenticity.
- Unmatched pricing. Online retailers are able to offer incredible prices and promotional discounts on Pokemon trading cards. And for the most committed collectors, the freedom to compare Pokemon trading card online prices between multiple retailers can lead to major savings.
In addition to packs, bundles and boxes, premium online retailers may even manage their own single card markets. That makes it possible for fans and enthusiasts to purchase virtually any unique Pokemon trading card for sale with the same cost effectiveness as they could an entire box.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, regardless of the level of interest, Pokemon trading cards have something to offer everyone. Learning to distinguish between the various packs, packages and box sets, however, is at the heart of getting started.
Building a high value TCG collection is as easy as purchasing the first booster set. And regardless of whether the collection leads to building keenly themed battle decks or investing in a diverse portfolio of sealed packs, it’s impossible to resist the magic of Pokemon.