Why Are Pokémon Games So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

Pokémon has maintained its name in the top five most famous games in the world in the last few years.

With tons of exciting features and gameplay options, it is one of the most loved video games.

However, the game is available for its users at significant pricing, making most gamers wonder why it is so expensive.

 

Why Are Pokémon Games So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

The major reason for Pokémon games being so expensive is the high-end graphics that Pokémon games provide, along with lots of other gaming features.

The demand for Pokémon games is also relatively higher than the supply.

Gamers who own different versions of Pokémon are not open to selling their games.

This makes different versions of Pokémon an extremely high-demand game with much less supply.

There are some other reasons that also contribute to the expensive pricing of Pokémon games.

Let’s discuss them in detail.

 

1. Value

 

The most important factor contributing to the expensive pricing of Pokémon is that Pokémon games are slightly hard to find today.

The game’s value and popularity among its fans have also been increasing over time.

Additionally, the gaming platforms rarely make and distribute any quantity of Pokémon games.

This also adds to the overall pricing of the game.

Pokémon games are classic and rare to find in their relevant categories.

Therefore, it acquired significant value over the years, leading to the high pricing of the game.

Pokémon games are one of the most expensive and valuable video games gamers possess in their collections.

Also, the game comes with different titles and values.

Some titles sell for truly significant prices, while others don’t hold that much value.

 

2. Less Supply With Increasing Demand

 

Pokémon games have gained popularity over time, which has resulted in the increasing demand for these games.

On the other hand, gaming production companies stopped producing more games, which resulted in less supply as compared to the demand.

The reasons behind the increasing demand for Pokémon games are ease of access, popularity, and platforms providing online trading, making it easier for gamers to trade these games.

The demand is so significant that most retailers stopped their sales due to the shortage of supply from the manufacturers.

There can be two different reasons for this supply chain issue.

1. The manufacturers are producing fewer games.
2. They are supplying less to make sure the prices keep increasing over time.

The reason for the issue is still not clear to the public.

However, companies are currently planning to increase the supply at a rapid pace to meet the demands.

 

3. Cards Accessories

Ultra PRO Clear Card Sleeves for Standard Size Trading Cards measuring 2.5" x 3.5" (500 count pack) 

 

Another major reason for the high pricing of the Pokémon games is the value of the card.

These cards have a decent resale value, and you can easily make money from them.

If you invested in Pokémon cards and have been collecting them since a young age, you already know that their age and condition are essential to the value of this card.

To make sure the value of these cards remains, you must take care of these cards properly.

Let’s have a look at some tips to take care of your Pokémon card properly.

 

A. Individual Cards

Some people love to keep their cards together instead of laying them around the house corners.

There are multiple options to store your cards and take good care of them.

• Penny Sleeves: Using slips and sleeves is the easiest way to take care of your Pokémon cards. Since these cards are significantly expensive, you must prevent their exposure to air once you pull them out of the box. It will help you in reducing the humidity damage and maintaining the card’s structure. These sleeves are affordable and are available in online stores and local gaming stores. They are available in different sizes as other Pokémon cards need different sized-sleeves to fit. Besides this, there are themed sleeves available in the market, which are quite expensive.

• Binders: You can use binders to show your Pokémon card collection. It’s time-saving as you can look up to nine cards at a glance when inspecting your inventory. Binders come with numerous sleeves per page, but using a single sleeve per card is recommended before placing them in a binder. Binders are slightly more expensive than a Penny Sleeve. Just like penny sleeves, there are themed Pokémon blinders available in the market. However, they are priced extremely high.

• Top Loaders: The top loaders are a good option if you are looking to maintain your card structure more durably. They are used to avoid cards sticking to each other when kept together. It is recommended to use top loaders in casing your Pokémon cards, which further helps in grading them when shipping since grading companies offer a reasonable amount for well-maintained cards.

 

B. Deck Cards

Some gamers want to keep their cards packed together in a deck.

Take a look at the accessories that can help you store cards in decks.

• Boxes: You can keep Pokémon Deck Cards in Elite Trainer Boxes that can hold up to 1,000 Pokémon. These boxes are covered in plastic which helps in protecting your cards from moisture. It is better to have a metal box instead of a plastic one since it can keep your cards safe for a longer period.
• Tin Cans: You can also store Pokémon Deck Cards in a tin can package. They fit with the deck and are durable enough to take good care of the cards inside. Since these tin cans are made of aluminum, you must avoid keeping them in a humid place as they can develop rust. These tin cans are expensive as they provide extra safety to your cards.

These card accessories are one of the major factors that add up to the total pricing of the Pokémon games and make them expensive.

 

4. Classic Arcade Style Games

 

Pokémon Classic Arcade Style games are one of the most expensive games.

These games have been the trademark product of Pokémon Games since the start.

For this reason, the gaming franchise still offers them at extremely high pricing.

Manufacturers design Classic Arcade Style Games into huge fancy box structures with the screen.

They embed these games with joysticks with a trademark red knob and multiple buttons for different commands.

Arcade Style games were the ones on which kids used to spend a significant amount of time.

Now that those kids are grown up, they are willing to pay a higher amount to recall their memories.

With the releases of various home gaming consoles, it is almost impossible to find arcades on street corners anymore.

Since it is easy to connect to your friends through home gaming consoles, Arcade Game socializing has almost died over the years.

However, if you miss the traditional joystick gameplay at an arcade game station, you can purchase one from Amazon.

There are various arcade consoles available on Amazon, but they are priced significantly high.

 

5. Second-Hand Sellers

 

Another significant reason behind the high pricing of Pokémon collectibles is scalpers or resellers.

They buy cards as soon as companies release them and resell them later at higher prices when the demand is high.

They earn more profits by selling them at higher prices.

Unfortunately, there’s no way these prices will decrease as long as these Pokémon games are in demand.

Scalpers will continue making more money by selling them at higher prices than the retail prices until there is a clear check and balance system to maintain a certain price in the markets.

 

6. Marketing And Revenue

 

Pokémon game manufacturers spend heavily on cinema, cartoons, and digital advertisements to ensure these games remain high in demand.

Pokémon was advertised on several different media properties over the past few years.

Twitch, a popular streaming site, also reviewed the unboxing of Pokémon games and saw how it attracted Pokémon fans.

The gaming production company also invested heavily in influencer marketing across multiple media formats in the last few years.

The growing popularity of Pokémon cards on social media and online marketplaces generated high revenues over time.

The game has recently sold 43.2 billion cards in the year 2022 all because of quality marketing.

Pokémon recently featured Logan Paul in advertising their rare Pokémon cards to increase their card’s value.

They also feature other celebrities selling their rare Pokémon cards at a higher price.

According to official data, Pokémon generates revenue of $1.6 million a day.

It has surpassed Candy Crush Saga in the segment of daily in-app purchases.

Nintendo’s market value recorded a rise of 25% in the first week after the initial release of the game.

Additionally, it increased further in the second week, rising to 50%.

All in all, Pokémon Games spends heavily on marketing their products, which results in great sales.

However, the prices of the final products increase at the same time.

 

7. Great Graphics & Features

 

Pokémon games’ advanced graphics and features are also factors contributing to the high pricing of these games.

Pokémon made these games feature-rich due to the high expectations of the users.

 

A. Open World Gameplay

The game offers massive open areas, and walk-around to snow-covered mountains, helping gamers to witness the horizon.

The players can explore large areas in an abundance of ways.

Additionally, the size of these areas makes it one of the biggest maps offering so many features to the gamers.

 

B. Evolutions Of Old Pokémons

The Pokémon game introduced six new evolutions of the older Pokémon.

Adding more to that, they also introduced Wrydeer and Kleavor in the latest versions as they have been the strongest Pokémons in the game.

The game has seen a great revolution over time and gamers have simply loved that.

 

C. Research Tasks

The Pokémon game features research tasks to make sure trainers complete different tasks successfully.

These research tasks help in catching three Shinx to Buizels and performing Quick Attack twice.

Also, it improves the position and ranking of the Pokémon significantly.

 

D. Noble Pokémon

The game features Noble Pokémons which are likely found across different areas.

These noble Pokémons are respected and powerful wardens that keep their areas safe and protect them from damage.

These creatures are friendly but can get out of control as you progress further in the story.

Once they get angry, it completely depends on the players about how they will calm them.

 

E. Crafting Items

Pokémon games offer options for crafting items to enable players to turn different acorns into various Pokeballs.

Gamers can make curries using ingredients.

They can also track down the necessary elements from support to recovery items and craft them.

They can also collect more ingredients to create various useful items.

These rich features embedded in the Pokémon games increase prices, making them expensive compared to other anime games available on the market.

 

8. The Covid-19 Pandemic

 

The Covid-19 pandemic is one factor in the expensive pricing of the Pokémon collectibles.

Since people used to spend much time at home and were looking for new hobbies, many started collecting Pokémon cards.

The pandemic also affected the supply chain process and the process of collecting Pokémon collectibles from the manufacturers to your doorsteps was affected greatly.

Since the pandemic slowed down the process, you will still witness a shortage of Pokémon collectibles in a few upcoming years.

 

9. Game Accessibility

 

Pokémon games are usually easy to play because of the simple mechanics, low difficulty, and colorful graphics.

They are the most loved games for people belonging to different age groups.

This increases the demand for these games further, resulting in availability at higher prices.

Elder people are willing to pay a higher amount for these games as they are always willing to recall their gaming memory.

The games are also easily accessible to disable people and people who can’t enjoy physical games for some reason.

 

10. Childhood Nostalgia

 

Pokémon games are every kid’s and even adult’s favorite games.

It takes you to the 1990s memories when all those ’90s kids used to enjoy the game.

The kids who used to collect Pokémon games are now adults.

These adults are now ready (and able) to pay high prices to play these games to recall their childhood memories.

In 2016, Pokémon Go was released, and it took all the ’90s gamers back to their childhood days.

It featured only 151 Pokémon in the initial game release.

The game saw immense success as the people who used to enjoy these games in their childhood paid a good amount to purchase them and recalled their memories.

 

Why Are Pokémon Cards Expensive?

 

The Pokémon cards come at expensive pricing, and they do get damaged easily from several elements if not handled with care.

Since these cards are made from mixtures of paper layers and pasteboards, they can be easily damaged even by the slightest of hits.

Pokémon cards can become brittle and fade over time when exposed to the sun.

However, it would work best if you find the perfect accessory to keep your cards safe.

The market accessories like binders, boxes, sleeves, etc., can protect your cards, and you must invest in them if you want to take care of your expensive Pokémon cards.

 

What Are The Reasons Behind The Expensive Pricing Of Pokémon Platinum?

Nintendo DS Pokemon Platinum Version 

 

Nintendo DS’s most anticipated game is Pokémon Platinum.

Many fans are buying the Pokémon Platinum release even today.

Its products and software are also very popular among Pokémon fans.

Since the demand is high, it affects the pricing and makes these cards expensive.

Another reason Pokémon Platinum is so expensive is that it’s an exclusive game available only on Nintendo DS.

Therefore, you must have a Nintendo console to enjoy playing the game.

Regardless of its high pricing, it never lost value in the market and among its fans.

People are always willing to pay a higher amount to enjoy the game since it offers great value and brings back their memories.

 

Are Pokémon Games Worth The Price?

 

Despite the high pricing, Pokémon games are surely worth the price.

These games are some of the most loved games in the world, and people happily pay a significant amount to enjoy the game.

The gaming quality, graphics features, unique ideas, and childhood memories make these games worth the price.

These games also possess a great resale value.

You can enjoy the game, and resell it as soon as you want a change.

These are surely one of the best games someone can have in their possession.

 

What Is The Most Expensive Pokémon Game?

 

Pokémon Heart Gold Ho-Oh figure bundle is the most expensive game of all.

The game costs around $4,300 and offers a wide range of gameplay options.

The opened copies of the game are available at an estimated price of $1,500–$2,000.

Take a look at the five most expensive Pokémon games.

1. Pokémon Box Ruby and Sapphire: $3,800

2. Nintendo 64 Pokémon Stadium Battle Set: $3,300

3. Pokémon SoulSilver Lugia Silver Bundle: $3,100

4. Pokémon Crystal: $3,000

5. Pokémon Red & Blue: $1,800

The Pokémon gaming franchise makes huge profits by selling these games every year.

People are willing to pay a higher amount for them for the tons of features they offer.

Even opened copies of Pokémon games sell in the market at expensive pricing.

 

Conclusion

Pokémon games have been so popular among millions of adults and kids for years.

These games are priced high as they are high in demand and less in supply.

Despite the expensive pricing, the Pokémon games sell at an extremely fast pace.

People know the value of this legendary gaming franchise and never hesitate to pay thousands of dollars for these games.