Is Pokémon Card Collecting Worth It?

Akin to the hiked up egg prices due to bird flu, one pack of Pokémon cards can be 10 times the original price due to demand. And the demand is very high. For instance, when Costco was selling Pokémon cards, they set a limit to one set per person. Despite this limit, there were huge crowds racing to where the Pokémon cards were so that they could get one. Especially with inflation and the ever growing popularity, Pokémon cards have been more expensive and in higher demand than ever.  So is collecting Pokémon cards worth the effort?

Personally, I think it depends on how much the Pokémon and card collecting is worth to you. Some people spend thousands of dollars on Pokémon cards and never attain the card they’re chasing for. Even so, they still don’t quit and continue card collecting. On the other hand, some people collect Pokémon cards for the nostalgia of their childhood. In these cases, collecting Pokémon cards is worth it. On the other hand, collecting Pokémon cards can cause financial strain which isn’t ever good.

To elaborate, collecting Pokémon cards is pretty expensive. For instance, a few years ago, a booster pack (a set of 10 random Pokémon cards) was worth $5. However, with the recent release of the Prismatic Evolution card set, a booster pack was well worth over $10 per pack. With only 10 cards costing over $10, it isn’t surprising that card collecting is known to be expensive. Nevertheless, it can be quite worth it. Depending on your luck, you could be able to pull a card well worth over $50 in a booster pack, making your money back. A card’s worth is determined by its rarity and how much people want it. Still, the chances of pulling a good card are slim and it is quite possible that you’ll spend more money than a card is worth.

Furthermore, the Pokémon world is quite connected and can influence you to spend more time and money on the hobby. For instance, the TCGPlayer Pokémon app (an app that allows people to simulate opening booster packs and play the game online) has influenced many of my friends to start their Pokémon card collecting hobby again, making them spend more money and time on Pokémon.

Moreover, Pokémon can be quite addicting, which can have some harmful effects. For instance, time may be spent more on Pokémon card collecting rather than on school work, which can harm your future. A previous Pokémon epidemic would be Pokémon Go, a game that researchers guess has caused accidents and even deaths. Since Pokémon Go required people to go to certain locations to attain benefits, researchers presumed that injuries were caused when players would be travelling without looking around their surroundings. Hence, it is important to maintain a balance between school life and your hobbies.

Ultimately, Pokémon card collecting can be worth it. Like any hobby, it can turn out quite well financially. As collecting Pokémon cards is very popular, people have made careers over it; for instance, reselling Pokémon cards or having an Instagram account solely on pulling Pokémon cards. Furthermore, it can help make friendships stronger, as people connect over this shared hobby. Additionally, the happiness that you can feel over pulling a card that you wanted or got can be worth the money spent. After all, many people say it’s about the memories, not about the money. Nevertheless, no matter how important Pokémon card collecting is to you, it is important that you manage your time and money spent on Pokémon effectively, so that your future isn’t harmed.