Can Pikachu make you rich? What is Pokémon TCG and why is the game raking in millions for resellers?

The Pokémon trading card game looks lucrative but like any investment, you need to know what you're getting into. — Graphic by Erna Mahyuni

By Erna Mahyuni

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 7:00 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — You might (whether you want to or not) already know about Pokémon. After all, it is the largest media franchise in the world right now. 

But have you heard about how some people are becoming millionaires thanks to the franchise?

Maybe you've heard about the man who made RM1.87 million from his Pokémon TCG collection.

Let me tell you all about Pokémon TCG and how CNN described it as a better performer than the S&P 500.

What is Pokémon TCG-lah?

So the original Pokémon (or pocket monsters) first debuted on the Nintendo Game Boy in 1996. 

From there the game branched out into the huge media behemoth it is today, spawning movies, TV shows, mountains of merchandise and of course, more games.

A TCG or trading card game is a game that revolves around battling opponents with decks built from cards that you collect via packs called boosters, randomised and sealed.

This unfortunately introduces an element of gambling, like those Labubu blind boxes you won't know what you get until you tear open a pack.

While Magic: The Gathering is arguably the most famous of TCGs, the Pokémon TCG scene has now attracted the attention of resellers.

CNN reported in February 2026 that the value of a basket of the most popular Pokémon cards was worth an astounding 6,208 per cent more than their value in May 2004.

Doing the math, that's a better comparative return than the S&P 500 that 'only' rose 521 per cent in the equivalent timespan.

So should I go out now and buy Pokémon TCG packs?

Not so fast.

Since the first base game was released in 1999, 126 expansions or sets of cards have been released in multiple languages.

Base sets are the basic cards that form the heart of your playing deck and mixing and matching the right cards will determine your success.

There is absolutely no way for you to know just what card you get even if you buy an entire box of TCG booster packs, which could retail for more than RM700, assuming you're paying retail price.

The player scene for the Pokémon TCG has exploded alongside the popularity and specific cards are more in demand due to their utility in decks.

However in the resell market, some cards are just popular because of the character.

Malaysians are seen queuing for the latest Pokémon TCG release at Toysbar in Damansara Jaya, outside Atria Shopping Mall on September 11, 2026. — Picture via Facebook

Buy a lot of cards, and hope you strike it lucky, then?

It's not enough to get a good card, the card's rarity (common/uncommon/rare/ultra rare), condition, age, and the language printed on the card all matter.

Due to there being so many fakes circulating, your card -- if it happens to be very valuable --  will probably need to get appraised by a known appraiser and graded accordingly.

A tear, bend or even noticeable wear (faded colours or warping) will lower the grade of your card, meaning you won't be able to earn as much from it.

Even trends could affect a card's value — for instance if a Pokémon becomes a favourite in Pokémon Go or is a particular celebrity's pick, the Pokémon's cards could also become coveted.

So you can't just throw money at Pokémon cards and hope you'll hit the jackpot, you might as well be buying 4D.

It requires a deep knowledge of the franchise as well as smart spending — don't bother if you can only buy boosters in bulk at retail, because you won't be able to flip or resell the majority of your booster buys. 

Common cards, for instance, often end up just being given away for free at card shops and will rarely ever be worth that much even decades later. 

Just in case... how do you know a card's worth?

Each card has specific markers and letters that can help you identify which set it came from.

eBay will give you a rough estimate of the card's value and demand but be advised that some sellers' pricing is more on the optimistic side.

Popular or "chase" cards, if priced right, will sell fast but you might end up with many mid-tier cards that you can't sell off .

That's why booster pack sellers now sell via livestreams, adding an element of entertainment.

Like calling out Bingo numbers, these sellers open boosters online, heightening the anticipation and also ensuring the seller can get rid of whole packs rather than gambling on selling loose cards.

Unless you have money to spare to buy huge bulk lots and sort them for value, realistically you're unlikely to make easy millions.

Now if you were a nerdy little Pokémon collector back in the day who kept your favourite, rare cards in a binder, safe from the elements, perhaps you do have something worth flipping.

Or you could be YouTuber Logan Paul who spent US$5.275 million (RM21.5 million) on a ultra-rare Pokémon Illustrator Pikachu card and sold it for US$16.492 million

If you're not into Pokémon, can't differentiate between Pikachu and Bulbasaur and aren't very lucky when it comes to random odds, maybe sit this trend out as even if it seems lucrative right now, there's no telling how long Pokémon TCG card reselling will remain lucrative.

You could also just pick it up casually for fun if you have people to play with. Just don't end up trading your rent money for the unlikely possibility of scoring a million-ringgit card.