Pokémon Cards Officially Make It Into the National Toy Hall of Fame

The National Toy Hall of Fame has officially announced this year’s inductees, and one of the biggest trading card games of all time has finally made the cut. Pokémon cards were inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame on the morning of Thursday, November 5, as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary. Other new additions from this year’s lineup include Bingo, Care Bears, and the classic slide, which beat out nominees like Bop It!, mahjong, and Polly Pocket.

“Pokémon TCG’s widespread appeal and global presence are undeniable,” said curator Mirek Stolee. “The Pokémon TCG successfully adapted card game formulas established by its predecessors, making it more accessible and infusing it with the lovable Pokémon creatures.”

The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998 to “recognize toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period.” The Hall of Fame is currently housed at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. A panel of museum curators, historians, and educators evaluates nominees based on four pillars: icon status, longevity, discovery, and innovation.

This isn’t the first time a trading card game has made it onto the prestigious toy list; Magic: The Gathering was added in 2019, nearly 10 years after the induction of another tabletop classic, Dungeons & Dragons. According to the Strong Museum's description, the Pokémon TCG “has played a pivotal role in popularizing the concept of trading card games and has served as an entryway into the hobby for millions.”

The game’s cultural impact is immense: over 85 billion Pokémon cards have been printed and distributed globally. The total market cap is estimated to be above $15 billion, with the game currently being printed in 13 different languages.

However, this massive popularity has created issues for fans. Scalping has plagued the community for years, turning the once casual card game hobby into a collector’s racket. Market prices have soared out of control, threatening the accessibility that the Toy Hall of Fame specifically praises. The Pokémon Company is aware of the problem and has repeatedly announced its intentions to increase stock to combat it.