Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed that the company is actively working with The Pokémon Company to address widespread scalping and stock shortages affecting the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Despite a production output of billions of cards in 2025 alone, global demand continues to outpace supply, leading the firm to explore stricter verification measures, including the use of Japan’s “My Number Card” for online identity verification.
How Nintendo Plans to Curb Scalping
During a recent shareholders’ meeting, Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged that the secondary market’s influence on limited-edition sets has become a primary concern. According to official records published by Nintendo, the company is collaborating with The Pokémon Company to implement more equitable distribution methods. These measures include moving toward order-based sales and establishing formal partnerships with online marketplace administrators.
The total volume of Pokémon cards produced has reached 85 billion units globally. Remarkably, nearly half of that entire historical output was manufactured in the last four years alone.
Production Scaled to High Levels
The scale of production for the Pokémon Trading Card Game has accelerated rapidly to meet market interest. Historical data shows that from October 1996 through March 2022—a span of 25 years—The Pokémon Company produced 43 billion cards. In the four years that followed, the company manufactured a similar volume of cards. Despite this massive increase in supply, which equates to more cards printed in a single year than there are people on Earth, the market remains characterized by scarcity.
What Happens Next for Collectors?
The industry is bracing for further supply challenges as the 30th Anniversary set approaches in September. The Pokémon Company is shifting its focus toward account verification. By integrating the Japanese “My Number Card” system into online lotteries, the company aims to ensure that products are distributed to individual fans rather than resellers. According to Furukawa, Nintendo expects The Pokémon Company to continue taking measures to address this problem.
If you are struggling to find products at retail prices, monitor official regional Pokémon Center announcements. These platforms are increasingly prioritizing direct-to-consumer lotteries to bypass third-party marketplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are Pokémon cards still hard to find?
Despite production of billions of cards in 2025, global consumer demand continues to exceed the available supply. - What is Nintendo doing to stop scalpers?
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are implementing order-based sales, collaborating with online marketplaces, and testing identity verification systems like the My Number Card. - How many Pokémon cards exist in total?
As of recent reports, 85 billion Pokémon cards have been produced worldwide since 1996.
Are you a collector struggling to find the latest sets at MSRP? Share your experience in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on distribution changes and official release news.
