Pokémon
Pokémon card detail that has fans and collectors worried
Many Pokémon TCG players have noticed a sharp drop in the quality of the cards, with some products going so far as to damage the cards due to the tightness of the cards.
Pokémon cards are experiencing one of their best moments. The famous collectible card game has been riding the crest of a wave of popularity that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is still going strong, with constant releases and a parallel market that is more vibrant than ever. However, some fans have noticed a disturbing trend: the print quality of certain cards and sets leaves much to be desired. Complaints range from unusual edge wear to ink problems, leading some players to suspect possible resealing or a lowering of printing standards.
The Unexpected Pokémon Card Game Controversy: Poor Print Quality or Resealed?
Many collectors have pointed out that the print quality varies depending on where the cards were made. Cards produced in Japan tend to have a higher level of detail, with more vibrant colors, better defined shadows, and better overall inking, which contrasts with Western editions. This phenomenon has been widely documented on social networks, where many users who own the same card in Japanese and a Western language have posted video comparisons like the one below.
But regardless of such comparisons, the community has discovered that the problem may be worse than first thought. One Reddit user shared his dissatisfaction after purchasing cards “pack fresh” on the parallel market, and was shocked when he received them. The reason? The cards he received had obvious wear on the edges, suggesting not only that they did not reflect the supposed condition in which they were sold, but that they may have been used to play without sleeves. The title of the post makes it clear: “‘pack fresh’ doesn’t mean sh*t in english product.”
Although this seems to be a case of malpractice on the part of a particular seller, the comments on the post include those who have had similar experiences with new and sealed products. Several of the users who responded to this post claim that products such as mini cans - also known as mini tins - have a certain tendency to damage the cards of the boosters inside them due to bumps or friction suffered during shipping.
Some users have raised the possibility that the company is resealing cards that are worn or have not passed quality control and selling them as new, sealed products to cut losses. Although there is no concrete evidence to support this theory, the growing number of testimonials on social networks has fueled this debate among collectors.
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