PokéVew - Source of All Info Related to Pokemon

If you’ve tried buying Pokémon cards online in 2025, you already know it’s not as simple as clicking “Add to Cart.” Between scalpers, fake listings, and overpriced bundles, finding a trustworthy source can feel like a boss battle. Whether you’re a collector chasing rare pulls or a parent looking for a legit gift, knowing where to shop safely is essential.

This guide breaks down the best places to buy Pokémon cards online, how to avoid scams, and what to look for when choosing a seller. Let’s make sure your next purchase is a win — not a regret.

Why Buying Pokémon Cards Online Can Be Risky

Online marketplaces are flooded with Pokémon cards, but not all listings are created equal. Common risks include:

• Fake or resealed packs that look authentic but contain junk cards
• Overpriced bundles that prey on hype and scarcity
• Counterfeit singles with altered artwork or fake grading
• Commingled inventory (especially on Amazon), where legit and fake items get mixed

That’s why choosing the right platform — and the right seller — matters more than ever.

Trusted Marketplaces for Buying Pokémon Cards in 2025

Here are the most reliable platforms for buying Pokémon cards online, based on reputation, buyer protection, and inventory quality.

1. Pokémon Center

The official Pokémon Center store is your safest bet for sealed products like Elite Trainer Boxes, booster packs, and exclusive promos.

• Great for: New releases, official merchandise, limited sets
• Pros: 100% authentic, direct from The Pokémon Company
• Tip: Sign up for restock alerts — popular sets like Destined Rivals and Black Bolt sell out fast

2. TCGPlayer

TCGPlayer remains the gold standard for buying singles and sealed products. It’s a marketplace built specifically for trading card games, with seller ratings, price history, and condition filters.

• Great for: Singles, booster boxes, promo cards
• Pros: Transparent pricing, strong buyer protection, verified sellers
• Tip: Use the “Direct” listings for cards shipped directly from TCGPlayer’s warehouse — they’re authenticated and professionally packed

3. eBay (With Caution)

eBay is a mixed bag. You’ll find rare cards, vintage sets, and graded slabs — but also scams and inflated prices. Stick to sellers with high feedback and clear photos.

• Great for: Vintage cards, PSA/BGS slabs, hard-to-find promos
• Pros: Buyer protection, wide selection
• Tip: Look for listings with PSA or CGC certification numbers and avoid “mystery boxes” or vague bundles

4. Amazon (Only from Verified Sellers)

Amazon carries Pokémon cards, but the risk of fake or resealed products is higher due to commingled inventory. Only buy from sellers with strong reviews and clear product descriptions.

• Great for: Sealed products, bundles, accessories
• Pros: Fast shipping, easy returns
• Tip: Avoid listings without seller info or with generic product images

5. Local Game Stores with Online Shops

Many brick-and-mortar game stores now sell online through Shopify or TCGPlayer integrations. These shops often have better customer service and curated inventory.

• Great for: Supporting small businesses, finding niche cards
• Pros: Personalized service, community trust
• Tip: Search for stores in your region — they may offer local pickup or discounts

How to Spot a Scam or Fake Listing

Even on trusted platforms, bad actors slip through. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Check seller ratings and read reviews — avoid sellers with vague feedback or low scores
• Look for clear photos of the actual card or product — not stock images
• Avoid “too good to be true” prices — especially for rare cards
• Don’t buy from social media DMs unless you’re using a trusted middleman or payment protection
• Use PayPal Goods & Services when buying from individuals — it offers buyer protection

Should You Buy Singles or Sealed Products?

If you’re chasing specific cards, buying singles is smarter than gambling on packs. Sealed products are fun, but they’re a lottery, and prices can be inflated during hype cycles.

Use tools like the PokéVew Card Price Checker to compare market prices before buying. It helps you avoid overpaying and spot trends in real time.

Bonus Tip: Watch for Regional Exclusives

Some cards are only released in Japan, Korea, or Europe, and they often show up on sites like SNKRDUNK or StockX. These platforms offer authentication services, but shipping and pricing can vary.

If you’re buying international promos, make sure the card is compatible with your local format (especially for competitive play).

Final Thoughts

Buying Pokémon cards online in 2025 doesn’t have to be risky — as long as you know where to look. Stick to trusted platforms, verify sellers, and use price tools to guide your decisions. Whether you’re building a deck, investing in graded cards, or just collecting for fun, safe shopping keeps the hobby enjoyable.

Want to learn how card pricing works or how to spot fake cards before you buy? Stay tuned — we’ve got more guides coming soon to help you collect smarter.

Whether you’re a casual collector or a serious investor, protecting and grading your Pokémon cards is one of the smartest things you can do. A well-preserved card can hold its value for years — and in some cases, multiply it. From sleeves and binders to professional grading services, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your cards safe and assess their true worth.

Card condition isn’t just about aesthetics. It directly affects resale value, trade potential, and long-term collectability. A mint-condition card can be worth 10× more than the same card with edge wear or surface scratches. That’s why learning how to protect and grade your cards is essential for anyone serious about the hobby.

Let’s start with protection — your first line of defense.

The most basic way to protect your cards is with penny sleeves. These thin plastic sleeves cost just a few cents each and prevent surface scratches and minor wear. Always insert cards gently and avoid bending the sleeve. For added protection, place sleeved cards into top loaders — rigid plastic cases that shield against bending, dings, and moisture. They’re ideal for shipping or storing high-value cards.

If you’re preparing cards for grading, use semi-rigid holders like Card Savers instead of top loaders. These are preferred by grading companies because they’re easier to handle and reduce the risk of damage during removal. Always sleeve the card first, then insert it into the semi-rigid holder.

Binders are another popular storage method, but not all binders are created equal. Avoid 3-ring binders with loose plastic pages — they can scratch cards and cause bending over time. Instead, opt for side-loading binders with padded pages and zipper closures. Brands like Vault X and Ultra Pro offer excellent options that keep your collection secure and organized.

Now let’s talk grading — the process of professionally evaluating a card’s condition and assigning it a score, usually from 1 to 10. A graded card is sealed in a tamper-proof case and authenticated, making it more desirable to buyers and collectors.

The three most popular grading companies are PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and CGC Trading Cards. Each has its own grading scale and slab design, but they all assess the same core criteria: centering, corners, edges, and surface.

Centering refers to how evenly the card’s artwork is positioned within its borders. Perfect centering means equal spacing on all sides. Even a slight misalignment can drop a card from Gem Mint (10) to Near Mint (8 or 9).

Corners should be sharp and clean, with no fraying or whitening. Rounded or damaged corners are a common reason for lower grades. Edges should be smooth and free of chips or wear, especially on dark-bordered cards where whitening is more visible.

Surface flaws include scratches, dents, stains, and print defects. Holographic cards are especially prone to surface damage, so inspect them under bright light and at multiple angles. Use a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to catch subtle imperfections.

Before submitting a card for grading, do a self-assessment. Clean the card gently with a lint-free cloth, sleeve it, and place it in a semi-rigid holder. Fill out the grading company’s submission form accurately, including declared value for insurance purposes. Package the card securely with bubble wrap and a sturdy box, and consider tracking and insurance for peace of mind.

Grading fees vary depending on the company and turnaround time. PSA typically starts around $30–$50 per card, while CGC and BGS offer budget-friendly options for bulk submissions. Keep in mind that grading is an investment — only submit cards that are rare, valuable, or in near-perfect condition.

Once graded, your card will be returned in a sealed slab with its grade and certification number. This not only protects the card but also boosts its market credibility. A PSA 10 Charizard, for example, can sell for thousands more than its raw counterpart.

Even if you don’t plan to sell your cards, grading adds a layer of prestige and permanence to your collection. It’s a way to celebrate the artistry and history of each card — and ensure it stands the test of time.

In summary, protecting and grading your Pokémon cards is about more than just value. It’s about preserving memories, showcasing your collection, and participating in a hobby that continues to grow year after year. Whether you’re sleeving your first Pikachu or submitting a rare Mewtwo for grading, every step you take helps safeguard your cards for the future.

Want to track card prices before you decide to grade? Try the PokéVew Card Price Checker to see real-time market trends and make informed decisions.

If you’ve been hearing the buzz about Pokémon TCG Pocket and wondering what it’s all about, you’re not alone. This mobile-first version of the classic Pokémon Trading Card Game has taken the community by storm — blending fast-paced gameplay, stunning card visuals, and a fresh collecting experience that’s perfect for casual fans and competitive players alike.

Whether you’re brand new to the TCG world or just curious about how Pocket differs from the traditional format, this guide will walk you through the basics, highlight what makes it special, and help you get started on the right foot.

What Is Pokémon TCG Pocket?

Pokémon TCG Pocket is a mobile app that reimagines the classic card game for quick, accessible play. Instead of long matches and complex deck-building, Pocket focuses on:

• 20-card decks (instead of 60)
• Fast battles with simplified rules
• No prize cards — you win by earning 3 points
• Daily pack openings and visual rarity collecting

It’s designed to be fun, fast, and visually stunning — with immersive card animations, alternate language cards, and a social hub for trading and showcasing your collection.

How Gameplay Works

Here’s a quick breakdown of how matches play out:

• You start with 5 cards and choose your Active Pokémon and up to 3 Benched Pokémon
• Each turn, you gain 1 energy from a shared pool (no energy cards needed)
• Attacks cost energy and earn points — 1 for regular Pokémon, 2 for EX cards
• First player to reach 3 points wins

There’s no prize card system, no complex evolutions, and no deck shuffling mid-match. It’s streamlined for mobile play — perfect for quick battles on the go.

Opening Packs & Collecting Cards

One of the most exciting parts of TCG Pocket is the pack opening experience. You get:

• 2 free packs per day (3 if you have the Premium Pass)
• Packs contain 5 cards each, with varying rarities
• Cards feature visual rarity — including immersive artwork, alternate animations, and flair effects

You can also use Pack Hourglasses or Poké Gold to open more packs, and earn Pack Points to craft specific cards later.

Wonder Pick: A Unique Twist

Wonder Pick is a feature that lets you choose a card from a pack opened by another player. It’s a great way to:

• Discover rare cards from other regions or languages
• Fill gaps in your collection without duplicates
• Trade indirectly with friends and the community

Each Wonder Pick has its own stamina system, so you can use it alongside regular pack openings.

Building Your First Deck

When you start the game, you’ll choose from three starter packs:

• Charizard Pack – Fire-heavy, includes Charizard ex and Moltres ex
• Mewtwo Pack – Psychic-focused, includes Mewtwo ex and Venusaur ex
• Pikachu Pack – Lightning-based, includes Pikachu ex and Zapdos ex

Each pack gives you a foundation for your first deck. You can build decks with up to 2 copies of each card, and customize your playmat, sleeves, and coin for style.

Visual Rarity & Flair

Unlike traditional TCGs, Pocket introduces visual rarity tiers that go beyond stats:

• Immersive Cards – Full-art, animated cards with unique effects
• Flair Effects – Cosmetic upgrades earned by trading duplicates and shinedust
• Alternate Language Cards – Collect cards in different languages via Wonder Pick

These features make collecting feel more personal and artistic — perfect for fans who love the aesthetics of Pokémon cards.

Shop, Events & Customization

The in-game shop lets you redeem Shop Tickets for:

• Pack Hourglasses
• Wonder Hourglasses
• Card sleeves, playmats, and coins
• Exclusive promo cards and binders

There are also limited-time events where you can earn themed cards, accessories, and showcase items. You can display your favorite cards on Display Boards or organize them in Binders to share with friends.

Social Features & Trading

TCG Pocket includes a Social Hub where you can:

• Add friends via friend codes
• View their card showcases and Wonder Picks
• Trade cards (available in select updates)
• Like and comment on community displays

It’s a great way to connect with other collectors and show off your rare pulls.

Final Tips for Beginners

• Pick a starter pack that fits your playstyle — Charizard is great for power, Mewtwo for balance
• Complete missions to earn resources early on
• Use Wonder Pick to avoid duplicates and find rare cards
• Save Pack Points for crafting high-value cards later
• Customize your collection with flair and display boards

And most importantly — have fun! TCG Pocket is designed to be accessible, rewarding, and visually stunning. Whether you’re battling daily or just collecting for the art, there’s something here for every kind of fan.

Want to track card values or explore traditional TCG sets? Try the PokéVew Card Price Checker for real-time market insights.

2025 has been a wild ride for the Pokémon TCG. Between the release of Destined Rivals, the lingering hype from Prismatic Evolutions, and the competitive shakeups from Temporal Forces, collectors and players alike have had their hands full. Whether you're chasing tournament wins or binder bling, these five cards have emerged as must-watch picks this year. For their power, popularity, or price potential.

Let’s dive into the top performers of 2025 so far.

1. Charizard ex – Obsidian Flames

Charizard never really leaves the spotlight, but the Obsidian Flames version of Charizard ex has earned its place at the top in 2025. With its unexpected Dark Tera typing, it dodges traditional counters and hits hard with its “Burning Darkness” attack — scaling damage based on Pokémon in the discard pile.

Collectors love the artwork, players love the versatility, and the market loves Charizard. If you’re building a deck or a portfolio, this one’s a no-brainer.

2. Gardevoir ex – Scarlet & Violet

Gardevoir ex continues to dominate the meta thanks to its Psychic Embrace ability. It lets you accelerate Psychic Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon — a game-changing mechanic that fuels tanky attackers like Zacian V and sets up explosive turns.

It’s not just playable — it’s beautiful. The card’s artwork and consistency have made it a staple in competitive decks and a favorite among collectors. If you’re watching the tournament scene, Gardevoir ex is everywhere.

3. Raging Bolt ex – Temporal Forces

This prehistoric powerhouse is making waves in Lost Zone decks. Its “Tempest Roar” attack scales based on how many cards your opponent has in the Lost Zone, making it a brutal closer in the right matchup.

Raging Bolt ex isn’t just strong — it’s stylish. The card’s design (think Raikou’s ancient cousin) has made it a fan favorite, and its synergy with current meta decks gives it serious staying power.

4. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – Destined Rivals

One of the most talked-about cards of the year, Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex combines nostalgia with competitive viability. Featuring Giovanni and Mewtwo together for the first time, this card is a collector’s dream — and it’s already commanding high prices on the secondary market.

From a gameplay perspective, it’s no slouch either. Its disruptive abilities and synergy with Dark-type strategies make it a solid pick for rogue decks and creative builds.

5. Chi-Yu ex – Twilight Masquerade

Chi-Yu ex might not be the flashiest card on this list, but don’t underestimate it. Its “Devouring Flames” attack lets you discard energy from your opponent’s deck — a sneaky strategy that can derail setups before they even begin.

It’s a sleeper hit in control decks and a rising star among collectors who appreciate its unique playstyle and elegant design. If you’re looking for something off-meta with real potential, Chi-Yu ex is worth a look.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a competitive player, a casual collector, or someone just dipping their toes into the Pokémon TCG world, these five cards represent the best of what 2025 has to offer. From Charizard’s dominance to Mewtwo’s nostalgia, each card brings something unique to the table — and they’re all worth watching as the year unfolds.

Want to track their prices in real time? Try the PokéVew Card Price Checker to stay ahead of the curve.

And if you’re curious about how these cards stack up in the meta or want to see deck profiles featuring them, stay tuned — we’ve got more content coming soon.

Whether you’re a longtime Pokémon TCG collector or someone just getting into the hobby, one thing becomes clear pretty quickly: card prices are all over the place. One day a card is worth a few bucks, and the next it’s skyrocketing because of a tournament win, a reprint, or just plain hype. If you’ve ever tried to keep up with it all, you know how frustrating it can be.

That’s exactly why we built the PokéVew Card Price Checker — a simple, fast, and free tool that helps you stay on top of the ever-changing Pokémon card market. Whether you’re trading with friends, selling online, or just curious about your collection’s value, this tool is designed to make your life easier.

Let’s walk through how it works, why it matters, and how you can get the most out of it. 

What Is the PokéVew Card Price Checker?

The PokéVew Card Price Checker is a tool that lets you look up the current market value of any Pokémon card in seconds. Just type in the name of the card — like “Charizard VMAX” or “Gardevoir ex” — and you’ll get real-time pricing pulled from trusted sources.

It’s designed to be lightweight and mobile-friendly, so you can use it whether you’re at home organizing your binder or standing in a card shop trying to decide if a trade is fair.

We built it because we were tired of bouncing between auction sites, price guides, and outdated spreadsheets. We wanted something quick, clean, and accurate — and we figured other collectors might want that too

Why It’s Useful (Even If You’re Not Selling)

You might be thinking, “I’m not planning to sell my cards — do I really need to check prices?” The answer is: probably yes.

Here’s why:

• If you’re trading, knowing the value helps you avoid lopsided deals.
• If you’re buying singles, it helps you spot overpriced listings.
• If you’re building a deck, it helps you budget smarter.
• And if you’re just collecting for fun, it’s still satisfying to know what your cards are worth.

Plus, prices can change fast. A card that was $3 last month might be $15 today because it got featured in a winning deck or became harder to find. Staying informed helps you make better decisions — and maybe even catch a few good deals before the market catches up.

How to Use It (Step-by-Step)

Using the PokéVew Card Price Checker is super simple:

1. Go to the Card Price Checker
2. Type in the name of the card you want to look up
3. Hit enter or tap the search button
4. View the current market price and related info

You can search by card name alone, or include the set name for more specific results (e.g. “Pikachu VMAX Celebrations”).

The tool works on both desktop and mobile, so you can use it on the go — whether you’re at a local tournament, browsing a flea market, or just flipping through your binder.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of It

Here are a few quick tips to help you get the best results:

• Use full card names when possible (e.g. “Charizard ex Obsidian Flames”)
• Bookmark the tool for quick access
• Check prices before making trades or purchases
• Use it to track trends over time — if a card is rising, you’ll know

We’re also working on adding more features in the future, like price history charts and condition-based estimates. If there’s something you’d love to see, let us know!

Why We Built It

At PokéVew, we’re collectors too. We know the thrill of pulling a rare card, the stress of deciding whether to trade it, and the curiosity of wondering what it’s worth. We built this tool because we wanted something that made collecting more fun and less confusing.

Our mission is to make Pokémon collecting more accessible, more informed, and more connected. The Card Price Checker is just one piece of that — alongside our Pokédex, event tracker, and daily card highlights.

Try It Now

Ready to see what your cards are worth? Check your cards here

Whether you’re a casual fan or a competitive collector, we hope this tool helps you enjoy the hobby even more. And if you find it useful, feel free to share it with your friends or bookmark it for later.

Happy collecting!

Thanks to PokeBeach, we have some preliminary data for the pull rates for the upcoming English Black Bolt and White Flare sets. Honestly, this kinda surprised me considering I was expecting Crown Zenith level of pull rates considering this is the final Scarlet and Violet set. But it's good to keep in mind if you’re chasing the rarities you desire.

I am sure these statistics will update once the sets release... 

• Double Rare Pokémon EX: about 1 every 5 packs

• PokeBall Reverse Holo: shows up roughly every 3 packs — expect to see these pretty often.

• MasterBall Reverse Holo: rarer at around 1 in 15 packs.

• Full Art Ultra Rare: about 1 in 16 packs. 

• Illustration Rare: roughly 1 every 6 packs. 

• Special Illustration Rare: the real unicorn, 1 in 76 packs.

The general feedback to this has been rather negative. People are pretty disappointed by the poor pull rates and were expecting something more. I feel Pokemon is really making people chase the illustration cards they desire by continuing to push rather poor rates. I mean, we've been seeing how crazy people were (and have been) getting for Prismatic Evolutions. While that set is absolutely horrendous with the pull rates, people are still very much chasing the Eeveelution SIRs. 

The hype will continue to push people to purchase these sets regardless. 

Guess we will see how things will progress. However, I am personally let down by this news. Just have to pray to Arceus to land the cards we desire. 

 

I would do these types of website posts rather regularly in the past considering I would constantly be working on things for the website, but considering how much Pokemon news has been coming out as of late, it took a bit of a backseat to say the least! However, I thought this would be a prime time to restart the website projects once again, especially as I am working on posting a lot more lately. That also means I will do my best to regularly post! 

What is my plan for this site? I want to make it a trusty place for quick Pokemon information that happens to drop. Whether that is for upcoming TCG sets, Pokemon TCG Pocket app updates, information from the games, or other major announcements. I want to be on top of it a lot more and make this site a trustworthy place where people can get all the useful information they need. 

The current issue is that I am running this site with money out of my own pocket, so it makes it a bit tough to manage financially. Moving forward I will be implementing ads to help fund the site. I am making it my goal not to make them intrusive as I realize a lot of Pokemon websites tend to make them overly annoying, in your face, and have outright stupid placement. That is not my goal. It will take some time to tune the placement, ensuring that they are not bothersome whether you are visiting this site from your computer or phone. With that said, ads have officially launched, but they will be tuned within the coming days. I just have to work on the script and code placement to ensure people on computers and mobile devices are able to navigate without issue. I will constantly evaluate and make changes when needed. 

Furthermore, I have a lot of neat projects in the pipeline. This would be a common theme when I was running my first Pokemon blog where I would dedicate time to completing fun projects for people to utilize. I am happy to finally revisit this again, especially following the website's official domain being established! Website projects will be fine tuned along the days, months, and years. I want to make this a neat, fun place for people to visit where they are getting all the necessary Pokemon information they desire. The first website project I am launching is a Pokedex! I tried to make this a modern theme where people can view it without issues on their computers and mobile devices, but I realize I will need to tune it so it's accessible without any issues. Over time I will be implementing updates as I see fit, but this is a great initial stage and I am happy to have launched this awesome project! 

Here is a list of some of the bugs that are currently being tuned:

• Text in dark mode once a Pokemon is clicked is rather difficult to read
• Unable to exit out of the Pokemon details on mobile devices
• Light mode becomes text after turning on dark mode
• Weird text showing up in generation titles 

Like I mentioned, the site's Pokedex will be tuned within the coming days to make sure it is an amazing experience no matter which device you use.

I am currently in the stage of developing an AnimeDex! This is something I've always wanted to do and am rather excited about how it will turn on. This has been a bit of a headache because I've been going back and forth regarding the total amount of information I want in this. Initially, I was thinking about including a list of all the episodes, but I realize that would be very difficult for me to maintain considering I am busy with job hunting and grad school. So with that said, the first version of the AnimeDex will launch soon! It will contain information about all the Pokemon seasons up to present time. Similar to the Pokedex, it will be interactive where you can expand out each season to get more details. This is another project that will be tuned over time. 

So what else is in the pipeline?

I want to have a TCG set hub where you can view information about all the cards within each Pokemon TCG set, organized by the years. This will be a major undertaking but I am excited to make this a reality. I will need time for this to cook, but will provide updates along my normal Pokemon posts so you are in the loop. 

Another project I am working on is a TCG hub for the Pokemon TCG Pocket app. This will be a bit more manageable considering how many sets have launched so far, so this might become a reality before the actual TCG set hub. Considering the next mini expansion is releasing later this week, it would be nice to have a database with all the card information. Surely, it will take some time to compile all the data but hope to keep it updated as the sets release each month. 

Last night, I launched a few site widgets! I don't have to go into much detail because they're fairly self explanatory but excited for site visitors to get their eyes (and hands on it).

So what exactly launched?

• An About PokeVew widget that provides bite size information about the function of the site, what we provide in terms of content, and how to connect with us on social media
• Upcoming Pokemon Events widget. This one is one of the most exciting ones and something I wanted to do for some time. When I first ran my first Pokemon blog, an upcoming events list was something I programmed rather quick to keep visitors updated on upcoming Pokemon events. However, I took a different approach with this. This widget specifically focuses on the TCG and Pocket sets set to release soon. I will be keeping this updated and tuning it over time
• Did you know? widget. A fun little area where you can catch some helpful Pokemon information! Don't need to say more than that
• Pokemon Card of the Day widget. Refreshes daily! 
• Pokemon Type Effectiveness widget. Anyone can interact with it to get information regarding type advantages, weaknesses, and what they might be immune to. Something I plan to use rather regularly
• And more to come!

Lastly, I launched a Card Price Checker page where you can type in details about a card you might be interested in learning more about the price. You can search via TCGPlayer and Ebay. I will be tuning this widget over time, but I am personally excited to get this up and running!

There are many other cool projects in the pipeline that I cannot wait to introduce and share! Over time, I will provide regular project within normal articles and news posts so you can stay in the loop, including hints as to what might be launching! So keep your eyes peeled 👀

Expect some minor website design changes, too. 

According to a recent article from PokeBeach, the Inferno X set will be releasing on September 26th in Japan. This set is set to feature Mega Charizard X, and follows the Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia sets, which showcases Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex (releasing August 1st). 

The current timeline for the Japanese sets is the following:

• June 6th: Black Bolt and White Flare
• August 1st: Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia
• September 5th: Starter Set Mega Genger ex and Starter Set Mega Diancie ex
• September 26th: Inferno X

The last time we saw Mega Charizard ex was back in 2016, so I'm expecting the hype for this set to be quite something, especially as collectors and PokeInvestor bros sit out in the sweltering heat in front of GameStops for a chance to cop a single item. 

I am also expecting the Pokemon Center website to be swarmed as well, so the momentum will definitely be there as we move on from the Scarlet and Violet TCG series to revisiting Mega Evolutions once again, which I am totally down for. 

I foresee the momentum continuing to build as we inch closer to Gen 10, but until then, I expect it's going to be rather difficult to attain a lot of these items for several months after release, especially when there is a 6 month delay between release and full on production where it's easier to obtain these items. 

Until then, we still have to look forward to Destined Rivals and Black Bolt and White Flare sets to cap off the Scarlet and Violet series.

Pokemon Center has been making Pokemon drops pretty regularly these last few weeks - usually spanning once or twice a week. Although, that doesn't come without challenges. Bots continue to overrun the queue and get through without many issues, as a lot of these bot providers continue to try their best with engineering any prevention updates Pokemon Center throws their way. However, this past Friday, something rather interesting happened... Pokemon Center queue had gone up a few times during the day, causing many people to rush to the site in the hopes of securing whatever drop was happening. As the minutes past, it became obvious nothing was dropping and rather a false alarm? I mean, it can happen! A lot of these monitor bots these Pokemon restock servers implement tend to look out for backend changes that happen to the site, alerting people of the queue going up. 

The track record for that has been pretty impressive, but this past Friday, nothing came of it. What was interesting, however, was the extra captchas and Imperva security measures being implemented, which was not seen before. It appears the Pokemon Center website was actively trying these measures out live to see how bots may interact with it. At the same time, numerous Pokemon fans were lining up in this virtual line in the hopes of scoring whatever drop would happen but they were faced with a litany of network errors when trying to solve these captchas. Some were even met with error 15 and 17 messages which are notorious for blocking individuals from accessing the site from their IP address. 

It didn't take long for Pokemon Center to revert back to their old system. It became rather apparent during this event that they were implementing new security measures to fight against the waves of bots that are so prevalent within the Pokemon TCG scene. What I am personally afraid of is that it won't take long for these bot providers to find a way to bypass these new security measures (if they do go live). 

As someone who has no knowledge of cybersecurity or bot preventions on websites, I am curious to see how the Pokemon Center website and all these other retail websites continue to fight against bots. When the big Destined Rivals drop happened on Walmart a couple weeks ago, many people were able to cop because the bot providers (like Stellar and Prizm) were not anticipating this new queue system. Similarly, many people were able to purchase the Black Bolt and White Flare ETBs when they were live on Pokemon Center. The stock lasted approximately 5 hours.

Now I'm no expert, but I do wonder whether Pokemon Center will tackle this bot issue by restricting a certain quantity to each address. I mean, they are already doing this where if you try to purchase more than the limit, then you're simply met with a red banner, preventing you from moving forward with the purchase. Considering bots don't have to wait in the queue, restricting to address makes the most logical sense to fight against them. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if these bot providers have a workaround ready for that. But what do I know? I'm simply the Webmaster of Pokevew! :P

Either way, curious to see what happens for this next Pokemon Center drop which I anticipate will happen this upcoming week. Guess we'll see...

Earlier today, the Pokemon Center dropped the Destined Rivals ETB, Booster Boxes, and Booster Bundle items. As expected, the queue system went up and was instantly inundated with folks trying to secure the PC exclusive Destined Rivals ETB. Here is my personal experience...

I woke up early and my friend showed me the new ETB artwork. I was under the impression that there would be no drop until later this week. Considering the PC preorder drops tend to occur on Thursdays and Fridays, I would have assumed the same would happen this week, so I didn't pay too much attention. I almost decided to fall back asleep, but then I heard people mentioning a potential drop today. So upon hearing  that, I decided to stay up a bit longer, and I am glad I did! Shortly after, I saw the queue system notifications going off, so I decided to jump on the Pokemon Center website immediately. I was trying to queue up from my phone and PC, hoping to get in from one of those locations. It took around 15 minutes before I was in the website on my phone. I quickly navigated around, but was unable to find the Destined Rivals product. I went from New Releases, TCG section, and just aimlessly wandering about, trying to find it. Then I clicked the product link from a Discord server and was able to find the ETB. I quickly made my order and upon a few error messages here and there, it went through! 

This time, the Pokemon Center website only allowed a limit of 1 per person. I tried to make another order to test this out but was promptly hit with an error message. I then proceeded to find the Booster Boxes and Booster Bundles for this set, but had no luck. Even after using the direct product links, I was hit with "No Product Found" Pikachu message. I eventually refreshed enough times to where the product went live but it was too late... It was unavailable. However, some people managed to secure both items! I guess it came down to luck...

Eventually, the Pokemon Center website logged me out and sent an "Oops something went wrong" message, which I started to assume I had spent too long on the website, and was pushed back out into the queue. 

I saw many folks error out, get sent back into queue when trying to make their order, or hit with a refresh AS they were waiting in queue. Plagued by a lot these issues, the Pokemon Center queue system continues to highlight how it is from perfect. To only way to secure any exclusive product ready to drop is to hit the queue almost immediately when it goes live, otherwise, chances remain low.

My personal experience today was decent. I mean, I managed to secure the PC exclusive ETB for Destined Rivals but many people shared their tumultuous experience today with facing errors and many other issues. 

I truly hope Pokemon Center improves this process, but I also realize that with 2 million+ people waiting in queue (most probably being bots), it will inundate the servers and cause slow down, glitches, and just wild experiences.

Let's hope we there will be another restock soon to give those that were unable to secure another chance. 

Ethan's Typhlosion illustrated rare has been revealed for the Heat Wave Arena set! This set is slated to release on March 14th, 2025 in Japan, and showcases various trainer Pokemon, ranging from Misty's Starmie, Ethan's Ho-Oh, and Cynthia's Garchomp (just to name a few). 

Looking at the artworks for these cards, the hype will be off the charts the moment this set releases. 

As someone who is getting back into collecting Pokemon cards again, I definitely need to cop all these illustration rares! The artwork, color, and attention to detail is beyond impressive. I can confidently say RIP my wallet, but then again, trying to secure it is another story. Until that moment comes, we can enjoy the artwork and anticipate getting our hands on these cards some day!

 

The Pokemon Company International has put out an official statement about the upcoming TCG release for Prismatic Evolutions.

It should come at no surprise that the demand is extremely high due to the special illustration rares for Eevee and Eeveelutions. With the Pocket TCG app driving forth an incredible uptick in interest and fans rushing out to buy modern sets, and to social media driving forth poke-investing for singles and sealed products, this set is driving a lot of demand to the point it is almost close to impossible to order one. Unless you got lucky pre-ordering or spent a crazy amount towards scalpers, trying to secure any Prismatic Evolutions product is definitely a task to say the least.

With that said, it is good to see Pokemon officially acknowledging this and releasing a statement. Hopefully more product can be printed and released for more fans to enjoy. As someone who is grew up with collecting the cards and is currently getting back into it due to the PTCG driving interest again, I am looking forward to picking this product up. Let's just hope that Pokemon can actually pull through with releasing more of this product so the scalpers have nothing to grasp onto. 

You can read the official statement below...

Recently, the Pokemon TCG Pocket app account announced its future update plans within a post on Twitter. This brief statement gets us ready for upcoming content within the coming months. While it didn't go into specific details, we can infer that November, December, and January will be jam-packed with events and packs. The app has been receiving regular updates every couple of weeks to highlight various features, whether it is the wonder pick, solo battling against AI, or solo battles against other players. So we can assume these features will be the focus for future events, in addition to the upcoming trading feature. I'm sure we will receive the A2 packs very soon, too. 

The statement reads as follows:

"To all of you playing Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket,

The Pokemon TCG November 2024 Collectors Tin pre-order is live on Amazon. This product contains the following:

• 6 TCG booster packs
• 3 foil cards, featuring Pikachu, Dipplin, and Teal Mask Ogerpon
• 1 coin featuring Terapagos
• 4 colorful sticker sheets
• Mini portfolio to store cards
• Code card for Pokemon TCG Live

This product will be released on November 15, 2024, so within a few days!

It's good to see Pokemon continuing to different item categories for their TCG. With the release of Pokemon TCG Pocket, I'm expecting an influx of new players within the scene, getting interested within the TCG. As someone who started collecting Pokemon cards from the 1990s when the first season of the show started airing, the Pocket app has rejuvenated my interested in collecting again, so this product does seem rather enticing for me, especially considering it comes in a collector's chest. 

There is an ongoing shortage on the Pokemon Center website when it comes to a lot of TCG collector products, especially some of the newer Elite Trainer Boxes, specifically Surging Sparks, which has caught the attention of collectors recently. As someone who is waiting for that to come back into stock, I have been turning my attention towards other upcoming releases just to quench the anticipation for the restocking on the Pokemon Center website.

With the holidays right around the corner, I wouldn't be surprised if we're hit with another batch of new releases when it comes to plushies, ornaments, TCG items, and toys. If anything exclusive comes out, I'll be sure to report on it. 

PokeVew hasn't really been much of a TCG-reporting site, but with my renewed interest in it, I'm definitely reporting a bit more heavily on the TCG Pocket app updates and new TCG items being released.

 

Following the announcement of a dedicated team between Game Freak and Ilca being created, we now have further details about the collaborative efforts! The Pokemon Works website has officially launched. 

Within the About Us section of the website, it states the following:

--

"We are a development team born from two companies, Pokémon Inc. and Iruka Inc.

Our goal is to provide a rich experience that extends the world of Pokémon to everyone, regardless of generation, country, or region. As a team focused solely on Pokémon, we are a group of Pokémon lovers who hone our skills and creativity to develop not only games but also services such as “Pokémon HOME”.

The road to development is sometimes difficult. However, it is in times like these that we must maintain a strong sense of “Let's do it! But it is in times like these that we test whether or not we can maintain our strong “I'm going to do it! This desire to convey the appeal of Pokémon, no matter the difficulties, is the driving force that keeps us moving forward.

Pokémon are your partners and friends. That is why we will create more realistic and accessible Pokémon experiences for you to enjoy your encounters and adventures with Pokémon, while respecting their worldview and “character.

Through the development of games and services, we hope to continue to connect the thoughts of many people. We look forward to your continued support.

Takuya Iwasaki, Representative Director"

--

It is quite interesting to note that the website utilizes Gengar, Snorlax, and a Pikachu silhouettes. Is this potentially teasing an upcoming project(s) between the two companies? Do these Pokemon serve a bigger role for what's about the come? Or were they just picked out as random as potential favorites by the company worker's? We will keep our eyes peeled as more information is released!