{"id":1011167,"date":"2026-01-11T09:31:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T09:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polygon.com\/?p=469560"},"modified":"2026-01-11T09:31:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T09:31:29","slug":"pokemon-tcg-vending-machines-are-showing-up-in-big-box-stores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/pokemon-tcg-vending-machines-are-showing-up-in-big-box-stores\/","title":{"rendered":"Pok\u00e9mon TCG vending machines are showing up in big box stores"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here\u2019s some good news for Pok\u00e9mon card game players and collectors: There\u2019s a new official way to grab card packs at big box stores now. It\u2019s called a Pok\u00e9mon Automated Retail Vending Machine<\/a>, and fans have already been seeing them pop up in stores near them in various parts of America. To be specific, these machines are rolling out in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Utah, and Washington. If you live in one of those states, check out this list to find the vending machines\u2019 specific locations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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MY LOCAL KROGER JUST GOT A POK\u00c9MON CENTER MACHINE!!!!!! \ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d pic.twitter.com\/9Iff5Tsmx4<\/a><\/p>\n

— \ud83c\udf83\ud83d\udc32\ud83c\udf83 (@Spoopymel) October 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

This isn\u2019t just a cute way to buy Pok\u00e9mon cards, although it is clearly that. It\u2019s also a potential fail-safe against the problem of knock-off Pok\u00e9mon cards allegedly showing up at big box stores, at least according to<\/a> posts<\/a> on the Pok\u00e9mon TCG subreddit<\/a>. Many of these users note that these stores did accept the customers\u2019 returns, but obviously, no one wants to deal with that hassle. It\u2019s better to be certain you\u2019re getting the real thing from an official source, since by these fans\u2019 reports, even big box stores seem to have trouble with the ongoing circulation of counterfeit Pok\u00e9mon cards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These vending machines also likely make it easier for stores to protect against potential theft<\/a>, since these cards can be valuable and can inspire overwhelming shopper frenzies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
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Pok\u00e9mon vending machine<\/p>\n

— Mari \ud83e\uddad (@lobefinned.bsky.social)<\/a> 2024-08-31T15:51:55.711Z<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

According to Pok\u00e9mon Center<\/a>, \u201cthe vending machines operate similarly to a regular vending machine, except they are stocked with Elite Trainer Boxes, Booster Packs and so many more TCG products.\u201d The company already has clearly considered the possibility of Pok\u00e9mon card-related crimes: \u201cThe Pok\u00e9mon Company International’s automated retail devices are equipped with camera equipment that counts the number of people passing in front of the device, but the devices do not store or transmit video.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, no vending machine heists allowed. Charmander is watching.<\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s some good news for Pok\u00e9mon card game players and collectors: There\u2019s a new official way to grab card packs at big box stores now. It\u2019s called a Pok\u00e9mon Automated Retail Vending Machine, and fans have already been seeing them pop up in stores near them in various parts of America. To be specific, these machines are rolling out in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Utah, and Washington. If you live in one of those states, check out this list to find the vending machines\u2019 specific locations. MY LOCAL KROGER JUST GOT A POK\u00c9MON CENTER MACHINE!!!!!! \ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d pic.twitter.com\/9Iff5Tsmx4 — \ud83c\udf83\ud83d\udc32\ud83c\udf83 (@Spoopymel) October 20, 2024 This isn\u2019t just a cute way to buy Pok\u00e9mon cards, although it is clearly…<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1011168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1011167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-polygon"],"yoast_head":"\nPok\u00e9mon TCG vending machines are showing up in big box stores | Arcader News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here\u2019s some good news for Pok\u00e9mon card game players and collectors: There\u2019s a new official way to grab card packs at big box stores now. 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