Pokemon TCG Sales Reportedly Way Down Since Scarlet and Violet

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s lukewarm reception seems to have had an impact on Pokemon TCG sales, which have dropped since the latest Pokemon entries were released on the Nintendo Switch in 2022. Fans were less than thrilled with Game Freak’s latest monster-gathering JRPGs, as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet quickly became some of the lowest-rated mainline Pokemon entries despite their record-breaking launch. Players even started review-bombing Pokemon Scarlet and Violet for various reasons, including their many performance issues.

Meanwhile, the Pokemon TCG started promoting Scarlet and Violet with new cards inspired by the creatures of the Paldea region in 2023, starting with sets centered around the new starter trio of Fuecoco, Quaxly, and Sprigatito. As the year went on, additional Pokemon TCG expansions were released, bringing Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s new Terastallized Pokemon and Legendaries into the mix. However, these shiny new cards might not have had the effect on sales that the people behind the ever-popular Pokemon TCG were hoping for.

DualShockers recently spoke to numerous retailers in the UK, US, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and Australia, and most of them say that Pokemon TCG sales are down across the board since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s launch in late 2022. According to the Australian website Trainer Hub, pre-orders for Pokemon cards have fallen by at least 50%. Additionally, sales of 2023’s Pokemon TCG Paldean Fates holiday set were 60% compared to the previous year’s Crown Zenith. Another store reportedly sold only 150 Scarlet and Violet card sets at launch, after selling 300 Sword and Shield-based booster boxes whenever they hit shelves.

When asked what might be causing this decline in Pokemon TCG sales, many of the retailers pointed to ongoing economic issues, such as higher inflation rates and consumers having less disposable income. Sure enough, The Pokemon Company announced an increase in sticker prices for most of its Pokemon TCG products