Pokémon trading card demand on the shopping advisor Zboží.cz surged nearly 5.5 times between September 16 and October 3, 2026, compared to the preceding period, Novinky reported. The sharp spike coincides with the nationwide retail launch of a major new anniversary collection in mid-September, transforming the classic franchise into one of the country’s most sought-after hobby items three decades after its debut.
Anniversary Collection Drives Fivefold Retail Surge
The newly released Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration set accounts for roughly 80 percent of all trading card game interest on Zboží.cz, according to data analyst Kateřina Nejedlá. Every single pack features a Pikachu card, drawn from a pool of 30 distinct anniversary variants. The set also reintroduces iconic cards from the history of the Pokémon Trading Card Game under a new Classic Collection banner, including the legendary Base Set Charizard.
Thirty Years of Japanese Gaming History
The trading card craze traces its roots back to February 27, 1996, when Nintendo released the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green video games for the Game Boy handheld console in Japan. Those initial role-playing titles sold more than 10.2 million copies in Japan alone, setting the stage for a global rollout. North American players received the games under the Red and Blue titles in 1998, followed by European releases in 1999. IGN awarded those early releases a rare 10 out of 10 review score, cementing the software foundation before the brand expanded into animated series, feature films, and physical merchandise.
Collector Questions About the 2026 Anniversary Line
What is included in each anniversary booster pack?
Each booster pack contains five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy, and a guaranteed Pikachu card available in 30 different anniversary variants, alongside entries from the Classic Collection like the Base Set Charizard.
How much higher is consumer interest compared to last year?
Data from Zboží.cz shows that consumer interest in Pokémon collectible cards rose nearly 5.5 times between September 16 and October 3, 2026, relative to the previous equivalent period.
What percentage of the trading card market do the new sets command?
The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration edition represents approximately 80 percent of all search and buyer interest directed at collectible card games on Zboží.cz following its mid-September retail rollout.