GameStop Selling High-Value Pokémon Cards in Mystery Boxes

So, wow, here we are, talking about GameStop trying another wild stunt to stay relevant beyond the whole meme stock chaos. They decided, hey, let’s dive into graded Pokémon cards last year. You know, like collecting isn’t niche enough! Anyway, now they’re flipping those cards back to us, in, let’s face it, a not-so-great mystery box idea.

Okay, I mean, sure, somehow GameStop thought it’d be cool to mimic your cozy neighborhood card store. Except it kinda ended up like a clumsy impersonation. Imagine walking in with your epic pulls, expecting a fair deal, but naah, you get these ridiculously lowball offers. Plus, the staff? They didn’t exactly get a crash course in TCG wisdom. It’s all corporate-run, no real charm. And now? Boom, mystery boxes are what they’ve come up with. And spoiler alert: they’re really not a steal.

Flashback three months ago: Pokémon YouTuber PokeRev opened the first wave of these $60 mystery boxes, called GameStop Power Packs. Back then, they had three “random” booster packs and a PSA-graded card graded 8 or above. Yeah, they flaunted a Lost Origin Giratina V alt-art grading 10 on the box. Worth over $1,600 today, sounds like a dream right? But nah, it’s like those Walmart mystery boxes—promises of rare treasures, but inside? A whole lot of nope.

Small props to GameStop, though, their boxes have this fancy touch—sturdy like a jewelry box, with foam and all that jazz. Makes Walmart’s version look like a crushed cereal box. But, let’s be real, the goodies inside? Not quite $60-worth, you know?

So, here we are, with the second round of these Power Packs, still at $60, but now with just two booster packs. PokeRev cracked them open and found they mostly contained packs like Surging Sparks, 151, or Journey Together, worth around $10 to $15. The graded cards? Maybe $15 to $30. Add it up and yeah, you’re often looking at goodies worth way less than what you paid. Basically, $60 out, $30 back in value. Ouch.

Sure, there’s always the slim chance of hitting the jackpot with a pack, but honestly, you’re better off buying those packs solo at market price. The one kinda good bit? The PSA-graded cards aren’t pure trash. They’re not just bulk. I’ve seen those horrid MJ Holding boxes where you crack it open and out falls a PSA 7 from a recent set, worth like, less than the grading fee itself. GameStop at least throws in some late 90s to early 00s nostalgia, Japanese or English. But still, don’t expect a goldmine.

So, we’re not super sure if these cards are mainly what GameStop coaxed out from folks last year or if they’re bulk-buying stock, but who knows, right? Either way, they likely paid peanuts when they got traded in and are now bundling them to charge us twice what they’re worth. Smart business move for them, but not for our wallets. Skip it. Hit up your local card store or go online for graded cards if you want to snag ones you genuinely desire, rather than rolling dice on this deal.