Nintendo Addresses Pokémon Card Resale Issues
Nintendo has acknowledged the problem of scalping and resale of Pokémon cards and plans to implement countermeasures. The company will collaborate with platforms and consider customized production.
TOKYO – Nintendo has announced plans to address the issue of scalping and unauthorized resale of its popular Pokémon trading cards. Company President Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed awareness of the problem during a recent shareholder meeting and outlined the company's intended actions.
Nintendo will reportedly increase cooperation with trading platforms and explore models for on-demand production to better meet consumer demand. Additionally, online lotteries for card purchases in Japan now require official identification, suggesting a trend towards stricter verification processes.
The Pokémon trading card market has seen a surge in popularity, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant demand and inflated prices on the secondary market. This has attracted resellers, often referred to as "huangniu" (scalpers), who acquire large quantities of cards for resale at marked-up prices.
The frenzy has reportedly led to related issues, including hoarding and price gouging, and in some extreme cases, fueled criminal activity. Nintendo aims to restore order to the market and ensure that genuine fans can acquire the cards without excessive difficulty.