What used to be a fun childhood pastime has transformed into one of the most competitive collecting hobbies in Malaysia.
Photo via Threads (@k__amin)
The Pokémon Trading Card Game has become so popular that rare cards now sell for eye-watering prices, and collectors are willing to go to extreme lengths to secure the latest releases.
That enthusiasm was on full display in Petaling Jaya recently, where a huge crowd gathered outside Toysbar in Damansara Jaya ahead of the launch of the new Pokémon set, Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames. Videos shared online showed people queueing long before the shop opened, with the line stretching all the way down the row of shops. Some users on Threads joked about the “Charizard effect,” saying it was no surprise to see fans turning up in droves.
The excitement, however, wasn’t entirely due to casual collectors. Many people commenting online claimed the queue was filled with resellers hoping to scoop up as much stock as possible to flip for profit. Some even alleged that individuals had begun waiting from midday the previous day just to be among the first in line. Suggestions like forcing buyers to open their boxes on the spot were brought up as ways to discourage scalping.
The main attraction behind the chaos was a single chase card: the gold Mega Charizard X EX. Early reselling prices hover around USD850 (roughly RM3,500), with the potential to skyrocket once professionally graded. Since Charizard has always been a fan favourite, the hype surrounding the card only made the situation more intense.
Unfortunately, the surge of buyers meant not everyone walked away happy. Queue numbers were reportedly exhausted quickly, leaving many genuine collectors empty-handed.
The incident has once again fuelled frustration within the Pokémon TCG community, where long-time players feel increasingly pushed aside as scalpers rush to cash in on each new release.
