A Collider opinion piece argues that scalping and "investment" culture are undermining the Pokémon Trading Card Game, with adult collectors treating cards as financial assets rather than a hobby, leaving children unable to find products in shops. The author contends this is not just about scalpers reselling stock for profit, but a broader cultural shift where hoarding sealed products and tracking resale values has become normalised, effectively pricing out and shutting out younger, casual fans.

The piece notes that The Pokémon Company has acknowledged the problem, responding with increased production, reprints of popular sets, purchase limits and virtual queues at outlets such as Pokémon Center. Despite these measures, popular items like Elite Trainer Boxes and booster bundles continue to sell out rapidly, as adult collectors with greater time, money and mobility outcompete children relying on pocket money. The author argues that the language of "investment" fuels this behaviour, since scarcity that benefits a collector's portfolio directly conflicts with accessibility for casual buyers and young fans.