Exclusive Pokémon merchandise has once again become a target for scalpers, with Pokémon World Championships Pikachu plushies appearing on resale listings for prices far above their event cost.
Two limited-edition Pikachu designs
Every year, the Pokémon World Championships receives a themed Pikachu plush. This year’s event featured two versions: a Worlds design and another created for XP, the new fan convention held alongside the competition.
The Worlds plush depicts a male Pikachu dressed as a king. The XP release features a female Pikachu in an astronaut outfit. Both designs are exclusive, highly distinctive and likely to attract collectors who could not attend or secure event access.
A steep jump from the original price
Each plush sold at the event for $25. Resellers are now listing them for hundreds of dollars, before shipping and handling are added. Some sellers are bundling both designs, making the purchase even less appealing for anyone seeking only one.
The lowest prices generally sit at about $80, which represents a substantial markup. Buyers can compare current eBay listings, although waiting may eventually help. Last year’s Anaheim Worlds Pikachu can be found for around $60 roughly a year after the event, suggesting that prices may soften over time.
Why event exclusives are so difficult to collect
Access to the championships has been limited, and the event’s lottery system meant some fans could not get inside to buy the merchandise. The collector behind this account has never attended Worlds, but does own the 2022 London Pikachu, wearing a top hat, after receiving it from a friend who attended.
That history makes the king-themed Pikachu especially tempting, but the current resale premium is difficult to justify. Collectors weighing up other hobbies can browse RETROCADE’s arcade news and features, review the arcade machine buying guide or explore arcade machines instead of paying a steep markup for a plush.
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