Pikachu, Charizard, Pokémon Go, all things that most people recognize right off the get-go as a part of Nintendo’s Pokémon. From mainstream generations, like Gold and Silver, to Black and White, to Pokémon Mystery Dungeons, to Conquest, Pokémon has evolved into a global powerhouse. Since the release of Pokémon Go in 2016, Pokémon cards have regained popularity. Read on to learn more about Pokémon and where to buy a pack of cards in Northern Virginia.
The History of Pokémon
Pokémon – short for “Pocket Monsters” – was created by Japanese video game designer Satoshi Tajiri, inspired by his childhood love of collecting insects. In 1996, Pokémon Red and Green launched on the Game Boy gaming system, introducing a world where trainers catch, train, and battle creatures known as Pokémon.
By 1999, Pokémon hit the U.S. and instantly took over. The trading cards were suddenly everywhere, and there was a TV show starring popular characters Ash and Pikachu. If you grew up in the early 2000s, there’s a solid chance you were trading cards at recess or arguing over whose Charizard was stronger.
While the hype ebbed and flowed over time, Pokémon made a major comeback in 2016 with Pokémon GO, a mobile game that had everyone (yes, even adults) walking around trying to catch Pokémon IRL.
Today, Pokémon is one of the highest-grossing franchises in the world and has video games, cards, shows, movies, and basically every type of merch you can think of. The trading card game is still going strong, with popular products like Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), aka collector-friendly boxes packed with booster packs, dice, and themed extras…