Pokemon Trading Card Game Has New Batch of Promo Cards to Collect

The Pokemon Trading Card Game has rolled out a brand-new promotional event with exclusive cards, celebrating the winners of last year’s “Illustration Contest” for the TCG. The beloved trading card game based on the long-running monster-catching franchise has often featured special promo cards, with some fetching particularly high prices on the secondary market. Franchise mascot Pikachu has seen some particularly valuable promos, with cards like the “Mario Pikachu” and Pikachu’s XY-era “Poncho” cards fetching thousands of dollars. Now, a new set of exclusive promo cards are on the way soon.

The Pokemon TCG‘s annual “Illustration Contest” event has been a fan-favorite among Pokemon enthusiasts and collectors, rewarding the franchise’s most talented fans. The contest features thousands of pieces of Pokemon artwork submitted by fans from around the world, with the chance for their art to be featured on a special promo Pokemon card. Last year’s edition of the contest did see some major controversy surrounding some submissions, with several entrants being disqualified for using AI art. However, the winners have now been chosen and the newest Illustration Contest promos have been revealed.

As reported by ComicBook, The Pokemon Company has officially revealed the three promo cards for the 2024 Illustration Contest. The cards feature two classic Pokemon as well as one newer entry, with Feraligatr, Pikachu, and Toxtricity ex appearing as the newest batch of promo cards. The Pokemon Company also revealed how fans can get their hands on the new promo cards, available at participating local game stores, through the Pokemon Center website with a special promo code, and at Pokemon Day League celebration events. The promotional event is set to begin late next week on February 21.

The Pokemon TCG‘s newest promotional event comes as Pokemon collecting has hit a fever pitch throughout recent months. New sets like “Surging Sparks” and “Prismatic Evolutions” have seen massive hype from fans, with many retailers experiencing shortages of the hyped new sets. Prismatic Evolutions, in particular, has sent collectors into a frenzy with stunning Special Illustration Rare cards for all the Eeveelutions, with Umbreon fetching well over $1,500 USD. The excitement, combined with supply issues, even caused some retailers like GameStop to limit sales of Prismatic Evolutions.

Pokemon TCG‘s recent hype was joined by the overwhelming success of the card game’s newest mobile version. Pokemon TCG Pocket released in October of last year to massive early numbers, earning over $120 million within just weeks of its official launch. The mobile TCG also recently shipped a major update to the game, introducing its first new expansion set with the release of “Space-Time Smackdown.” Pokemon TCG fans will soon have the chance to pick up some exciting new promos with Pokemon Day just around the corner.

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Pokemon TCG

Original Release Date

October 20, 1996

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