GAME Reverses Course on Pokémon Card Pricing After Inflation-Fueled Surge

UK retailer GAME appears to have abolished its widely criticized shipping rate for the sought-after Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions card tins, which previously saw £11 boxes priced at £31 when delivered.

Outrageous GAME employees informed Eurogamer last week that the company’s excessive postage costs were a tactical decision, rather than a mere error. Staff also remarked that they were frustrated with Pokémon card inventory being held back to profit more through GAME’s online platform, rather than being made available to customers visiting the store to browse and purchase cards.

The situation spread across the internet, and Eurogamer learned yesterday from a source within the company that GAME’s “Excessive Shipping” fee was under review, or potentially being rebranded. Today, Eurogamer has noted that the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Mini Tin no longer displays its previous £19.99 “Excessive Shipping” option.

However, it should be noted that GAME’s current shipping options are not particularly low-cost – the chain’s Standard Delivery is £4.99, or you can pay a similar fee just for GAME to hold the item for you in-store. Alternatively, you may opt for £11.99 to have the cards shipped via Next Day Delivery by DPD, or £9.99 for Next Day Delivery by Evri.

Nevertheless, these figures represent GAME’s updated standard rates.

Previously, Eurogamer reached out to GAME to inquire why a small tin of Pokémon cards—smaller than a mobile phone—required a £19.99 “Excessive Shipping” option, while a PlayStation 5 Pro console did not. Eurogamer is still awaiting a response.