The Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCG), launched by The Pokémon Company in Japan, has captivated players worldwide, especially with the recent launch of the mobile game "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket" (PTCGP).
Today (January 24) saw the release of the "Battle Partners" booster pack, while "Terastal Festa ex" dropped back in December. Both have been absolutely devoured by fans, leading to massive shortages and a frantic buying spree. The Pokémon Company has now officially announced that both series will be reprinted sequentially from late February through April, sparking a heated debate among netizens.
The official statement urges players considering buying these packs on secondary markets to "keep cool." Many fans have reported being unable to find cards, with some suppliers even halting sales entirely. The company also appealed to the public to refrain from directly contacting retailers about reprints, as this could "disrupt store operations."
▼ The "Terastal Festa ex" pack, released in December, has been completely snapped up, with its Terastallization theme proving particularly irresistible to collectors.
▼ "Battle Partners," today's release focusing on Trainer Pokémon, was already seeing exorbitant resale prices on Japanese auction sites even before it officially hit shelves.
The Pokémon Company stated: "Moving forward, whether or not specific announcements are made, our priority will always be to get the products our customers desire into their hands. We will continue to strengthen production and supply, and this commitment extends beyond just the aforementioned products." This means reprints are on the way, giving eager fans another shot at snagging these coveted packs.
The issue of high-priced Pokémon card resales previously peaked in the first half of 2023 before gradually subsiding. However, with the December 2024 launch of "Terastal Festa ex," market hype reignited, leading to severe supply shortages and some cards fetching astronomical prices on secondary trading platforms.
Despite the reprint announcement, many players remain skeptical, believing it won't deter unscrupulous scalpers from continuing their bulk purchases. Some desperate collectors are even forced to pay inflated prices while waiting for the reprints. Fans are hoping for more robust measures from the official side.
via： iTmedia