Trying to snag the latest Pokémon TCG cards has turned into something out of a slapstick comedy, with videos of brawls erupting at Costco and thieves pulling off heists that belong in a cheesy action movie. It’s a wild twist for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, which is increasingly tied to crime sprees rather than nostalgia-fueled fun.
The Pokémon card frenzy is a booming business. Ultra-rare gems like the Pikachu Illustrator fetch millions at auction, but even the less illustrious cards can rake in hundreds or thousands of dollars online. Naturally, this means shelves are cleared faster than you can say “Gotta Catch ‘Em All.” With the Blooming Waters set hitting stores early, the chaos has reached a whole new level—and inspired some hands to throw more than just cards.
New footage from Costco shows scenes that could rival Black Friday’s most chaotic moments. One video captures a stampede of eager buyers storming the store like it’s the last hour of a Pokémon apocalypse. Another clip reveals a card-induced squabble: a man in a hat grabs a pack from another man in a green jacket, who clearly does not appreciate the snatch. What follows is a slapstick chase with the hat-wearer shoving and elbowing his way out like he’s in the semi-finals of a wrestling match.

Costco isn’t alone in this Pokémon card madness. Specialty shops have their own share of drama, including an incident where a Suburban crashed into a storefront. The driver reportedly made off with Pokémon card sets in what can only be described as a vehicular smash-and-grab. It’s not the first time stores have been targeted, and given the allure of these pricey collectibles, it probably won’t be the last.
The problem isn’t just a few overzealous collectors or shady resellers—it’s the cards’ soaring value. Locking them up isn’t much of a deterrent when thieves are willing to ram cars into shops or break into warehouses to get their hands on booster packs. Tracking stolen cards? Forget it. They don’t have serial numbers, so you’re more likely to get Mewtwo in a pack than figure out if your recent purchase was pilfered.
Unless Pokémon cards suddenly lose their value (as if), the madness shows no signs of stopping. For now, the rest of us can sit back, pop some popcorn, and watch the chaos unfold—because apparently, the real battle isn’t in the Pokémon arena; it’s in the aisles of Costco.
1 Comment
Great content