Pokémon was an absolute phenomenon when it first launched back in the mid-1990s, and it was difficult to see how it would ever recapture that same level of popularity among fans. Then, COVID-19 happened, and the game exploded in a way that few would have thought possible, with millions of players and collectors who hadn’t touched the franchise in years returning to capture a little bit of that sweet nostalgia.
Whether it was the video games, anime, or TCG that drew you back in, the franchise is in a very healthy place, even if something does need to be done about scalpers and price gouging. As part of that, any new release is very hotly contested, and the latest had fans in an absolute frenzy ahead of its launch.
As first reported by Tech Times, the latest expansion for the Pokémon TCG, Pitch Black, recently went live for preorders from fans at home, and they broke the store trying to get hold of it. Specifically, enough traffic went to the official store in a short space of time on June 10 to crash the site, leaving inaccessible for tens of thousands of trainers who were hoping to get their hands on ETBs and Booster Boxes.
The undoubted star of the set this time around is undoubtedly the Mega Darkrai EX, who gives the set its name. It’s the fifth English expansion for the Mega Evolutions series of releases, and that has already proved to be one of the most popular sub-sets in the entire history of the TCG.
The preorder window for the set remains open, with a full release scheduled for July 17. That said, it seems like stock is floating in and out, so act quickly if you’re hoping to avoid disappointment.
You might have also noticed that the window has been tightening for pre-orders in recent years, and that’s just one of the measures that The Pokémon Company has taken to counter resellers. The lack of time gives hoarders far less opportunity to get hold of a ton of stock, hopefully letting true fans get the sets they want without as much trouble.
Whatever measures those in charge do take, it’s difficult to see how it’s going to get any easier to get hold of Pokémon while the demand remains so high. Let’s hope that they can continue to up the amount in production, so genuine fans don’t miss out on a good time at a reasonable price.
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Pokemon Red and Blue, Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon Sapphire, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokemon Platinum, Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon Black and White 2, Pokemon X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Winds and Waves, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Legends Z-A