Suffering from Pokémon card withdrawal due to the coronavirus lockdown? Here’s where you can get your fix.
Times are tough during the pandemic. Many of us haven’t seen the inside of a games store in over a month, and some of us haven’t seen our friends in at least as long.
But the worst part? Not being able to get new cards to feed the Pokémon TCG habit. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. You can still get new cards even if you can’t go outside.
The first place to look for new Pokémon cards is, as always, with your local games shop. Many of them have been shut down due to being declared non-essential businesses (a categorization that we humbly disagree with), but that doesn’t mean that every store has totally ceased operations.
Some local game shops will offer curbside pickup. Others have taken to the digital sphere to sell their wares and will let you order online. Singles, packs, whatever you want is all still available with the click of a mouse. Deliveries are done by mail and some might even let you pick them up at the store by special request.
At many locations across the US, Target and Walmart are still open. These stores are essential for providing food and housewares, but they also sell Pokémon cards too. If you do go to either of these big box stores, remember to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines, wash your hands, and wear a face mask if you have one.
Another great resource for Pokémon cards during the pandemic: eBay. There’s always been a thriving community of online retailers on eBay, and they’re doing double their business now that most games stores have closed for the pandemic.
If you don’t really need physical cards and you’re more about the gameplay, then maybe it’s finally time to make the jump to digital. Pokémon TCG Online is the full Pokémon experience without any of the cards. It’s available on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. It means starting your collection over again, but many packages include codes for deals on TCG Online cards.
