Why Pokémon Cards Are One of the Best Performing Assets of the Last 25 Years
If you have been collecting Pokémon cards for a while or just checking prices on sites like PokemonPricing.com, you might wonder if they are more than just fun keepsakes. The answer is yes. Data shows Pokémon cards have delivered about 3,821 percent returns since 2004, crushing the S&P 500 over the same time.[1] That makes them one of the top-performing assets in the past 25 years.
Think about it this way. Back in 2004, a key Pokémon card might have cost you a small amount. Today, top ones like 1st Edition Base Set cards or trophy cards from early sets are worth a fortune. These are the icons that hold value year after year, not the shiny new chase cards from fresh sets.[1] Unlike sports cards, where a player’s injury can tank prices overnight, Pokémon blue-chips stay steady. Their value comes from fan love for characters like Charizard or Pikachu, not real-world events.[1]
This growth did not happen by accident. Pokémon hit blue-chip status fast, in just 25 years. Vintage cards from sets like Base Set or Jungle have seen huge jumps. For example, a PSA 9 Gengar from Fossil went from $470 to $1,100 in recent years.[4] Even sealed products and mid-tier sets like Obsidian Flames delivered strong gains, with one collector reporting 72 percent returns in 2025 by picking smart.[2]
Sales numbers back this up. Trading card sales grew 200 percent from 2024 to 2025 at places like eBay and Walmart.[1] Graded high-end cards from 2025 sets are already hitting four figures, with past versions selling for $1,200 to $1,800.[5] New sets like Mega Ascended Heroes are surging too, with sealed boxes projecting 150 to 300 percent ROI by end of 2026.[3]
What sets Pokémon apart is low risk for long-term holders. Focus on preservation and icons over quick flips. Liquidity is there for recognized cards, so you can buy low and hold as demand builds.[1] Investors in 2025 skipped overhyped new releases and won big on established picks.[2][4]
Prices on PokemonPricing.com reflect this trend daily. Vintage holds firm while modern graded gems climb. If you store cards right and pick winners, they beat stocks for steady growth over decades.
