Nintendo's Anti-Scalping Measures

Introduction to Anti-Scalping Measures

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has officially addressed Pokémon card scalping, outlining anti-scalping measures including government ID verification and made-to-order sales. This move comes after a surge in reseller price gouging in mid-2026. The company is combining government ID verification, purchase limits, and massive production expansion to combat Pokémon TCG scalpers in 2026 and beyond.

Impact on the Market

The Pokémon TCG market has shown a +9.4% average price change over the last 30 days, with 14692 cards gaining value and 16200 declining, as reported on August 11, 2026. However, prices for several of 2026's most expensive chase cards have continued to retreat as available supply outpaced demand, as of the week of August 9. The Phantasmal Flames Booster Box surged 18.8% on August 8, 2026, the largest single-day move across all tracked products.

Price Trends

Pokémon cards have dramatically decreased in Market Price in the past 30 days, with a downloadable CSV report available as of July 29, 2026. The Biggest Price Spikes in Pokémon this Week report on July 8, 2026, showed that some cards were selling for under $100 just two months ago, but had increased to $700 and even $1,000 for a Near Mint sale. After six months of strong growth, the secondary market for Pokémon TCG singles is finally cooling off, as of July 2, 2026.

Retailer Compliance

Retailers like Wal-Mart and Target have taken action to curb scalping and allow more people to buy Pokémon products, including placing restrictions on how many items can be purchased. The Japanese government has also taken action to combat scalping. Nintendo is in ongoing discussions with The Pokémon Company about how to respond to the scalping issue.

Comparison of Price Changes

The following table compares the price changes of different Pokémon TCG products:

Product	Price Change
Phantasmal Flames Booster Box	18.8%
Pokémon TCG singles	- (cooling off after six months of strong growth)
Chase cards	- (retreating as available supply outpaced demand)
Pokémon cards	+9.4% (average price change over the last 30 days)

Discussion

The anti-scalping measures implemented by Nintendo are expected to have a significant impact on the secondary market. By limiting the number of items that can be purchased and using government ID verification, the company aims to prevent reseller price gouging and make the products more accessible to casual buyers. The partnership with major retailers is also expected to help combat scalping.

Hyeonalytics Take

Hyeonalytics Take

The anti-scalping measures implemented by Nintendo are a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen how effective they will be in the long term. The company's efforts to combat scalping and make the products more accessible to casual buyers are commendable, but the secondary market is complex and influenced by many factors. As the market continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the impact of these measures and adjust them as needed to ensure that they are effective in protecting casual buyers and preventing reseller price gouging.