Pokémon Turns 30 Today, and Deals on Cards, Figures, and Plushies Are Everywhere
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It’s official, Pokémon is celebrating its 30th birthday. And while Ash Ketchum is still as spry-looking as ever, Pokémon fandom itself—be it from games like Pokémon Go, card collecting, or an obsession with plushie toys—has grown immensely, spanning multiple generations.
If you, like me and so many others, spent the late ‘90s walking through tall grasses and listening intently to the chirping of crickets, fantasizing about seeing a Pikachu in real life, then you know the charm of the series firsthand. And you may also not be alarmed to hear that the franchise has spawned sales of over $147 billion worth of Pokémon-related products, and that's not including the red-hot secondary market.
Right now is, actually, an excellent time to get Pokémon gear. Whether you’re browsing Amazon or looking through everything in Walmart’s Pokémon Week Event, you’re bound to find some great deals that celebrate 30 years of Pokémon. Men’s Journal did some Pokémon shopping to fulfill our thirst for nostalgia, and these top deals on figurines, cards, plushies, and games are the coolest ones we found.
Funko Pop Games: Pokémon Pikachu (Sitting), $11 (was $15) on Amazon
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A wide-eyed Pikachu in glorious Funko Pop style sits at just 3.75 inches tall. Here, Pikachu looks almost dazed, and his slanted ears reflect that. Perhaps it is because of his price, now sitting at its lowest in 30 days, almost certainly to align with Pokémon Day. Some fans may prefer the grumpy Pikachu model, but it’s still $18, making this the obvious choice for most people.
What Shoppers Are Saying: “The details are nice and it looks adorable from every angle.”
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- Funko Pop Games: Pokémon Charmander, $13 (was $15) on Amazon
- Funko Pop Games: Pokémon Bulbasaur, $13 (was $15) on Amazon
Pokémon Trading Card Game Scarlet & Violet 10 Destined Rivals Booster Bundle, $55 (was $70) at Walmart
Whether it’s for the love of the game, a collection obsession, or you just can’t get enough of unboxing and pack opening videos, there’s something about a giant box of Pokémon cards. This set, Destined Rivals, thematically revolves around the battle of good versus evil or, rather, trainers versus Team Rocket. It contains 6 packs.
What Shoppers Are Saying: “Was worried that because I'm ordering online that maybe I would get something damaged or opened, but nope, it was brand new and also pulled the gold Mewtwo card and Cynthia's Garchomp.”
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- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Surprise Box, $58 (was $69) at Walmart
- Pokémon Mega Latias Ex Box, $37 (was $44) at Walmart
Pokémon 8-Inch Eevee and Pikachu Plush 2-Pack, $30 (was $44) at Walmart
This pair of officially licensed pals shows exactly what Pokémon has always really been about: the friends we make along the way. In addition to the iconic Pikachu, you’ll also get an Eevee, the Pokémon known for its many evolution paths, which is also, as fans of the show will fondly remember, a wonderful Pokémon to train in its own right.
What Shoppers Are Saying: “I bought this as a Christmas set for me and my girl. We each kept one Pokémon to think about each other when separated.”
Also Check Out:
- Pokémon 8-Inch Plush Starter 3-Pack with Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, $40 (was $66) at Walmart
- Pokémon Charizard Large 12-Inch Plush, $21 (was $30) at Walmart
Pokémon Sword (Nintendo Switch), $51 (was $60) at Walmart
As a boy, I had a few unbreakable Pokémon rules. I always picked the grass starter, and I always named it something like “First” or “Beginning,” nicknaming no other Pokémon. Since then, there have been too many games (and too few synonyms for first) to keep up with everything. But if I were to jump in, this Nintendo Switch game would be my jam, naming my inevitable Grookey “Uno” or “Yi.” Pokémon Sword features the all-new Galar region, new Pokémon, legendaries Zacian and Zamazenta, and the giga-large Dynamax Pokémon, all with delightful 3D visuals.
What Shoppers Are Saying: “OMG Best Game ever.”
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