Your old Pokémon cards, games and toys could be worth money as Pokémon turns 30

If you were born any time after 1996, chances are Pokémon was not just something you played, it was part of who you were. Cards were swapped in the playground, consoles came everywhere with you, especially on long car journeys and your favourite characters quickly became part of everyday life (even my poor mum knows far more about Ash Ketchum than she ever expected to).

I was fully obsessed. My peak Pokémon era was Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. I spent hours running around Sinnoh on my DS, completely emotionally invested in my team of little critters. I remember refusing to evolve certain Pokémon (Marill) because I liked them more the way they were (which was not exactly the most strategic decision, but it felt right).

Now, as Pokémon celebrates its 30th anniversary and Pokémon Day returns on the 27th of February, many adults are rediscovering the collections they packed away years ago. Folders hidden in drawers, tins tucked in cupboards and boxes sitting quietly in lofts are being opened again. And it turns out holding on to your childhood collection might not have been hoarding after all.

What surprises many people is that old Pokémon cards, games and merchandise can still sell for decent money today. Collectors are actively buying original items released by The Pokémon Company, especially from the late 1990s and early 2000s. That means things sitting quietly at home could offer a small but very welcome financial boost (finally, emotional attachment becoming financially useful).

If you are decluttering or clearing storage, it is well worth checking what you already own before throwing anything away.

Pokémon cards can still be worth real money

Pokémon cards remain one of the most popular collectibles in the world, largely thanks to nostalgia and limited supply. Many cards from the late 1990s and early 2000s were heavily played with, bent, traded endlessly or lost completely, which means fewer remain in good condition today (we were not exactly thinking about resale value at age eight).

Collectors often look for original cards from early sets like Base Set, Jungle, Fossil and Team Rocket. Holographic cards, first edition prints and early releases tend to attract the most interest.

Typical resale values in the UK:

• Holographic cards from early sets: £15 to £40

• Popular character cards like Pikachu or Mewtwo: £10 to £30

• Complete or near complete sets: potentially hundreds of pounds

Condition plays a huge role. Cards with clean edges, minimal creasing and limited wear are far more appealing to buyers.

Even full binders and bundles can have value

Not every valuable collection contains rare individual cards. Many collectors are happy to buy bundles, especially from the older sets.

A full binder from the early 2000s could sell for £50 to £200 depending on what is inside. Selling cards in bundles can also be easier and quicker than listing individual cards (and far less emotionally stressful).

It is always worth checking properly before assuming your collection has no value.

Some Pokémon cards have sold for millions

Some Pokémon cards have reached unbelievable prices.

The Pikachu Illustrator card is widely considered the rarest Pokémon card ever produced. In 2022, a graded copy made headlines when it was acquired by internet celebrity Logan Paul in a deal valued at around $5.2 million. The card was recently sold on for $16.5 million!

While most people will sadly not discover something quite that valuable, it shows how seriously collectors take these items. Even more common cards can still sell for useful amounts (which makes checking your old collection very worthwhile).

Pokémon games from your childhood are now collectible too

The games many of us grew up playing are now collectible in their own right.

Today, those same games can still sell for decent amounts.

Typical UK resale values include:

·         Pokémon Red, Blue or Yellow: £20 to £40

·         Pokémon Gold, Silver or Crystal: £25 to £60

·         Pokémon Diamond, Pearl or Platinum: £30 to £70

·         Boxed versions with manuals: £80 to £200

·         Game Boy or Nintendo DS consoles: £40 to £120

Plush toys, figures and merchandise can also sell

It was never just about the cards. Plushies, figures and merchandise somehow ended up everywhere. Shelves, desks, beds (there was always at least one slightly wonky plush watching over everything).

Vintage Pokémon plush toys and figures can still sell today, especially official releases from the early 2000s.

Typical resale values:

·         Vintage plush toys: £10 to £30

·         Larger or popular plush toys: £20 to £50

·         Figures and collectibles: £10 to £40

·         Rare or limited-edition items: £50 to £150 or more

·         Storage tins, binders and accessories: £10 to £40

Original packaging can increase resale value

Collectors often look for complete items, including original packaging.

Boxes, manuals and original accessories can increase resale value significantly. Even empty boxes can sell on their own, as collectors look to complete their collections.

It is always worth checking before throwing anything away (even the cardboard).

Where to sell Pokémon cards, games and collectibles in the UK

If you decide to sell, there are several reliable options depending on how quickly you want to sell.

Online marketplaces such as eBay and Vinted allow you to reach collectors across the UK and see what similar items have sold for.

You could also try:

·         Local card shops

·         Collector fairs and trading events

·         Facebook Marketplace

·         Car boot sales

Local game stores can also be great places to sell, trade and reconnect with the collecting community.

Your childhood collection could still be worth checking

Chances are most people will not discover something worth millions, but that doesn’t mean it is not worth looking.

Finding £10, £20 or £50 worth of items you don’t mind parting with can still help with everyday costs. Who knows, along the way you might rediscover memories you had not thought about in years.

At its heart, Pokémon has always been about friendship. The cards you traded, the games you played and the collections you built were part of growing up and connecting with the people around you.

Whether you decide to sell your collection or keep it safely tucked away, it’s a reminder of a time when everything felt simpler and every new find felt important. And if nothing else, it proves that holding on to the things you love is never a waste after all.

(And somewhere out there, someone is still trying to complete their Pokédex).