Pokémon cards and 90s toys see massive surge in collector value

The market for vintage toys and collectibles, particularly Pokémon cards from the 1990s, has seen a massive surge in value. High-priced sales, auctions, and even instances of smuggling have been reported, with some items fetching hundreds of thousands of euros.

In regions like the United States and Japan, valuations for these items have reached levels previously considered unthinkable for objects originally designed as children's pastimes. This trend is part of a broader collecting phenomenon that includes Disney memorabilia, Lego sets, and Star Wars action figures.

The Pokémon franchise, which is one of the highest-grossing entertainment franchises globally, owes much of its market strength to its massive popularity following its release on Nintendo consoles and its subsequent success in television and film.