Best Pokemon Merchandise You Should Truly Invest In

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Katrina is a jack of all trades when it comes to gaming fandom! She's an esteemed writer, a cosplayer, a completionist, and where Pokemon is concerned, the latter bodes well, as she has completed the Pokedex for just about every region in the Pokemon Universe! Katrina also loves anime, DND and adding trophies to her PSN cabinet!

Best Pokemon Merchandise: Our Top Picks

Pokémon Game Consoles

There are over 30 separate specialty released consoles that were sold only in Japan or select areas. It started with the Pokémon Gameboy Light, which was released on July 21st, 1998, and sold for 6800¥, which is the equivalent of $61.60 USD back in the ’90s.

It was only released in Japan, which likely upset North American Pokémon players, as they released a GS and Yellow Gameboy Color in 1999. From there, Nintendo released a special edition console for every handheld and home console a Pokémon game was featured on.

Some notable examples include:

Pokémon Nintendo 64: Features a power and reset button on Pikachu’s foot.
GameBoy Advance SP – Groudon/Kyogre Edition: Came in blue and red.
GameBoy Advance SP – Pikachu Edition: Featured Pikachu’s face on the cover.
Nintendo DS Lite – Daisuke Club: 5 consoles featuring Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, and Pikachu that were only available to members of the Pokémon Daisuki Club.
Nintendo 3DS XL – Pokémon Famil Edition: Given as a prize for a restaurant raffle.
New Nintendo 3DS – Pokémon 20th Anniversary Bundle: Included two cover plates of Charizard and Blastoise you could swap out. Red & Blue were installed in the console/
Nintendo Switch: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee! Edition: Features a Pikachu and Eevee decal on the Switch Doc and shadows of the Pokémon on the Switch.

Most of these consoles are sold for a limited time, and while supplies last, so they sell for a high amount on eBay or in secondary shops. For example, the Nintendo Switch: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee!

Edition runs for $600+ on Amazon. To get your hands on a new console, be sure to pre-order it. Otherwise, you’ll have to haggle with buyers selling the older editions.

Pokémon Nendoroid/Figmas

Nendoroid’s are small figures that have swappable parts, including their heads, bodies, and clothing. Figma’s have even more swappable and opposable parts than Nendoroid’s as a rule, but there are di: stage series models that are made for display purposes and come with more parts.

Both figure types are made by Good Smile Company in Japan. The quality is top-notch, but you have to be careful not to lose the parts or break them from rough-play, as they’re expensive.

There are a few Pokémon Nendoroids and Figmas that are available for purchase:

Nendoroid Green Posable Figure
Nendoroid Pokémon Trainer Red: Champion Version (Comes with Charmander, Venusaur, and Blastoise.
Nendoroid Giovanni with Mewtwo Poseable Figure
Figma Selene Action Figure With Rowlet, Litten, Poppolio & Rotom Dex
Figma Red Action Figure with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle & Pikachu

Although they are pricey, especially when ordered directly from Japan, they’re more than worth it. They look great on a shelf or on your desk, and they’re a great gift for Pokémon fans.

Pokémon Amiibos

An Amiibo is classified as a toys-to-life product that mimics Skylanders. Nintendo created Amiibos to accompany the new Super Smash Bros game on the Switch. The figures look similar to the trophies you’d win in Super Smash Bros for completing various tasks or gambling.

While Amiibos can be used as a statue or a toy, when used with certain games, they unlock specific features. For example, the Mewtwo Amiibo can be used in Pokkén Tournament to temporarily use Shadow Mewtwo as a character.

All licensed Amiibos can be used in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Most Pokémon Amiibos are rare and often go for 3x their retail cost.

Pokémon Beanbags, Sleeping Bags, and Beds

Pokémon bean bag chairs, sleeping bags, and beds are easy to find and typically available from Amazon or the Pokémon Shop. The most popular sleeping companion seems to be Snorlax, but that’s probably because he looks so comfy.

Pokémon beds are complete sets that sit on the ground but can’t be covered by a fitted sheet. You’d need to dry clean them for a total clean.

Here are our favorite types of Pokémon-related sleeping/lounging merch:

Snorlax Bean Bag Chair
Ditto Bean Bag Chair
Life-Size Metapod Sleeping Bag
Gengar Pillow/Sleeping Station
Pikachu Bed
Snorlax Bed

If you want to buy a sleeping set for your bed, there are plenty available. You can also find multiple printing companies that are willing to print any Pokémon design on a duvet.

Pokémon Mugs

Mugs are a great gift for anyone because everyone needs more mugs! Mugs are typically inexpensive and customizable, so whether you’re purchasing official merchandise from the Pokémon Company or buying from a print shop, there’s something for everyone.

As always, you’ll find the most popular Pokémon on mugs found in stores. A special edition Gengar Mug has his ears and hair tufts along the backside of the mug, and an officially licensed Pokéball spinner mug is a lot of fun.

One of the best punny Pokémon mugs we’ve seen in the Koffing “Koffee” mug and the Eevee “Teavee” Mug from Threadfox.

Pokémon Center Plushies

Are you going to have to spend $30-50 on a small plushie? Yes, but is the quality worth it? Absolutely! If you’re an avid plushie collector, you’ll love what’s offered at the Pokémon Center store either online or in select areas in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

One of their lines features Pikachu and Morpeko, who wear little costumes of different Pokémon. Our favorites are the Gengar Costume Morpeko plush and the Hattrem Costume Pikachu plush.

You can also buy Gigantamax plushies, which are $400 or more. The Gigantamax Pikachu plush is 31 ½ inches, while the Gigantamax Meowth is 65 inches tall.

Pokémon TOMY Figure Set

TOMY still makes Pokémon figures, but they aren’t the main distributor for those tiny figures that 90’s kids grew up with. You can still find them online, usually on eBay and at card shops, for cheap. Sellers will typically give you hundreds of these small figures for $100-200.

Nowadays, TOMY still sells small figures, but not in packs of 2 or more usually. They will sell larger figures individually for $40 or in tiny figures in their classic TOMY style coming out of a Pokéball for $20. Their selection is pretty vast, but their most popular line is still from the ’90s, including their OVC figure sets, shooting Pokéball sets, and their Polly Pocket-inspired toys.

Pokémon Tamagotchi

Tamagotchi was all the rage in the ’90s, so it makes sense that Nintendo would release a portable digital pet line. The Pokémon Pikachu, or Pocket Pikachu, was released in 1998 and sold incredibly well, but the second model didn’t sell as well due to waning popularity.

In the past few years, Tamagotchi has seen a resurgence in popularity, but they’re made by Bandai, the original creators of Tamagotchi, and not Nintendo. The Eevee and Pikachu digital pets are rare and expensive, but they often turn up on eBay and at conventions. If you want to have a virtual pet without the functionality of a Tamagotchi, find a PokéWalker.

Pokémon Planters

There’s a massive intersection of fans that like gardening, grass Pokémon and the franchise itself. It’s easy to find 3D-printed planters featuring Bulbasaur, Oddish, Pikachu, Hoppip, Chikorita, and Exeggutor on Etsy. There are currently no officially licensed planters.

Pokémon fans don’t have to limit themselves to grass types; there are plenty of planters to choose from, although Bulbasaur looks the most authentic with a succulent. There’s a cute Resin Cast Slowpoke Planter made by NorthernFromantions, and a creative multi-layered Jigglypuff planter made by Tinker3DGifts that come in 4 sizes and multiple colors.

Pokémon Pins

The Pokémon Company has plenty of official pins available for purchase. They often come in three packs or in evolutionary packs. For example, the Articuno, Xapdos & Moltres set is available for less than $30. You could also try the Evolution Pins, which open up twice.

Although those pins are beautiful and incredibly well-made, you’re not limited to official merch.

On Etsy, you can purchase a cartridge bundle of pins, Shiny Pokémon pins, and mash-up pins that have characters stylized to look like other popular intellectual properties, like Harry Potter. You can find high-quality Pokémon pins in nearly any shape, color, or size online.

Pokémon Books

If you love Pokémon but also love to read, draw, or create, you’ll love the many books you can buy about our favorite Capsule Monsters. 90’s kids will probably remember the classic collection of books that turned the show into a chapter series and the famous Pokédex novels that provided basic information on each monster. Now, there are even more options to choose from.

Out of all the books available, these are our favorites:

Super Deluxe Essential Handbook by Scholastic
How to Draw Deluxe Edition (Pokémon) by Tracey West
Pokémon Visual Companion Third Edition by DK
Pokémon Mad Libs
Pokémon Epic Sticker Collection From Kanto to Alola by Pikachu Press
Pokémon Coloring Adventures by Scholastic
Pokémon: Kalos Essential Activity Book by Scholastic
Let’s Find Pokémon! Special Complete Edition by Kazunori Aihara

Each one of these books will give you hours of fun, no matter your age. I particularly like the Let’s Find Series, as it reminds me of the Where’s Waldo books I used to read as a kid.

Pokémon Pokédex

The Pokédex is one of the most important tools a Pokémon Master could have, but before there was working Internet, lucky kids were given the official Dex for their birthday. Although it’s incredibly primitive by today’s standards, you could look up all 151 Pokémon with a keypad.

Each generation has its own Pokédex you can buy, including the new Rotom Dex, which features a touchscreen and fully working video. It’s like a tiny computer in your pocket, kind of like a Smartphone but just for Pokémon. You can use it instead of the in-game Pokédex, or use it to learn Kanji, cook food, and play multiple games. Unfortunately, it’s Japan only.

Pokémon Cookware, Bento Boxes, and Lunch Boxes

Does your kitchen need a Pokémon makeover? You can buy a whole set of Pikachu cookware, including a teapot, spatula, ladle, pasta spoon, knife, cutting board, mug, pot, and bento boxes. You can also find pans that will imprint your pancakes with Pikachu’s face.

The Pokémon Center tableware set is even cuter and less obviously-Pokémon if that’s what you’re looking for. The set comes in pink and baby blue, and all have Pikachu in a field of flowers. You can add on to the set, or subtract unneeded plates, mugs, or severing dishes.

Speaking of bento boxes, packaging one of these is incredibly popular in Japan but does have some fans in North America.

Bento is the art of dressing up your lunch, so you’ll often find food artists dying food, imprinting their sandwiches, and creating Pokéballs with rice, meat, and seaweed. You can also just use a bento box without going overboard for their compatibility.

If you want a more traditional lunch box, you can find them in almost any store that sells them, including Gamestop. Although they usually include Pikachu, you can find a full Yawn Food and lunch box that features Snorlax or use the lunch box that comes with some trading cards.

Pokémon Bath Bombs

Do you take baths, love to smell nice, and want to buy a bath bomb that reveals a small Pokémon toy when it dissolves? Soakey Dokey has a line of mystery bath bombs that come in multiple colors. Each color has its own scent. For example, pink smells like vanilla and mango.

You can also find soaps, shampoos, and conditioners that include Pokémon in their packaging. If you want to give your bathroom a makeover to match your kitchen, there are endless bathroom products to choose from. For example, you can buy a fabric shower curtain that’s 100% washable, bath mats, a set that includes a soap dispenser, a toothbrush holder, and more.

Pokémon Badges

It’s unfortunate that none of us can actually be Pokémon Master in real life, but you can still buy the badges online and pretend you got them the legitimate way. Each generation has its own list of Pokémon badges you earn by beating the gym leaders, and you can wear them too.

If you wear all of these sets at once, your vest will be pretty heavy:

Indigo League: 8 Badges
Johto League: 8 Badges
Hoenn League: 8 Badges
Sinnoh League: 8 Badges
Unova League: 8 Badges
Kalos League: 8 Badges
Galar League: 10 Badges
Orange League: 4 Badges
Masters EX: 5 Badges

Do you remember those weird extra badges Gary Oak earned in the anime? Well, you can buy those too. In each region, Pokémon trainers could earn badges that weren’t included in the main 8 but could still gain you entry to the Pokémon League.

Although that’s only officially canon in the anime, it’s a cool idea to include gyms that are type-specific.

Pokémon Apparel

It was inevitable that Pokémon would release their own line of apparel, and a lot of it is actually really nice. They go beyond just plastering a Pokémon on a line of t-shirts, which is refreshing as most bigger video game lines stick to a few pieces of clothing.

Even more surprising is the wide line of female-specific clothing, which doesn’t just lie flat like a tent as unisex styles do.

The official Pokémon apparel line rotates its stock by the season, and it isn’t uncommon to find items like adult swimsuits, hats, beach bags, and Hawaiian Shirts. One of my favorite items is the Alolan Exeggutor & Friends Tropical beach cover-up, as it’s a mix of style and nerdom.

As always, you can get printed custom shirts from Etsy and everyday wear merch from places like Hot Topic. What I like most about Hot Topic Pokémon merch is that it’s made with the consumer in mind.

Most of us just want to wear something casual and easy to style, making something like their Pikachu and Jigglypuff shirt perfect for teens and adults.

Recommended guides: Best Pokemon Shirts of All Time

Pokémon Lego

When I was a kid in 1998, I found a Charizard Lego set that I couldn’t get out of my head! It was super cool but expensive as all Lego sets are, and I never got it for Christmas or my birthday. I waited until 2021 to own a Charizard Mega Construx set of my own, and it’s glorious.

Most off-brand Pokémon non-Lego Lego sets are around $50, including the Mega Construx one. You can get Pikachu, Eevee, Mew, Myranitar, Charmander, and more. Mega Construct also makes smaller sets, about 15.2 cm tall, which include a Pokémon and a Pokéball.

There are tutorials online that teach you how to build your own Pokémon from Lego blocks, but there aren’t any official Lego sets. Mega Bloks acquired the rights to Pokémon years ago, probably when I saw that first set in the ’90s, so you’re unlikely to see a Pokécenter set.

Pokémon Jewelry

When we’re talking about Pokémon jewelry, we’re not just including the plastic bracelets or lanyards that are available in corner stores and game shops; we’re primarily describing jewelry made of silver, gold, platinum, and gems.

Pokémon often works with jewelers to release incredible sets that fit right in with other pieces in your closet, including necklaces and rings.

The Pokémon Center set of stores sells pendant necklaces featuring your favorite monsters, lawyer Eevee necklaces with each evolution, hoop Eve earrings, and a running Pikachu ring. These don’t come cheap either; you’ll be spending at least $50 on a single necklace.

Before Pokémon came out with their own line, experienced jewelers would make intricate rings and necklaces included monsters and items from the series. One Japanese jewelry retailer U-treasure released a beautiful line of Pokémon necklaces, which include Psyduck.

Of course, you’ll have multiple Etsy sellers who excel here. For example, this Mega Stone necklace from ThePendantArtDesign is incredibly nerdy and very cute. You can find pendants, earrings, and bracelets, or you could wear some of the pins from our “Pokémon Pins” section.

Pokémon HelloPika

TOMY will be lauded for their genius for years to come because the HelloPika is so cute and creative that I wish I had thought of it. While there are plenty of talking toys available on the market, the HelloPika really works. Let’s look at some of its features and specs.

Includes the easily-recognizable Pikachu Pocket Monster from Pokémon.
Pikachu will turn its head towards the direction of the voice.
Pikachu will respond with “pika-pika” and “pika-pi,” nod and shake its head.
Pikachu’s cheeks light up, and when it laughs, he tickles his tummy.
It is easy to use, so children and adults can both have fun with HelloPika.
Pikachu is around 10cm tall, can clip onto a bag or be placed in your pocket.
Pikachu’s AI can understand languages.

HelloPika is only around $50, which is an incredible price for the wide functionality of the toy. I love to try and say things that will make Pikachu laugh or shake his head.

Pokémon Bags and Purses

Although bags and purses technically fall under the apparel umbrella, we wanted to take a special look at the various incredibly crafted bags the Pokémon Company creates.

It was common to see knock-offs that were of similar quality as the official merch in the ’90s, which made buying backpacks pointless. In the ’90s and early 2000s, Pokémon backpacks were quick to fall apart, but us kids had to have them.

It’s why it’s so rare to find vintage Pokémon backpacks in good condition, but newer merch may turn up 20 years later.

When Pokémon teamed up with Loungefly, that reputation was forever buried. Loungefly frequency partners up with huge brand names, like Sanrio and Disney, to effortlessly combine nerdy merchandise with style. Loundflies quality is so incredible that a small backpack will stay in great condition for 5-10 years without much care and attention.

Pokéballs

One of the most important items in the series is the Pokéball. Without it, a Pokémon trainer wouldn’t be able to catch Pocket Monsters at all! There are 27 Pokéballs in the core series, which accounts for the RPG journey and badge-collecting based games.

Although most of the Pokéball designs are unique, colorful, and used for a wide variety of purposes, the original Pokéball is the most iconic. While you can still find different kinds of Pokéballs (especially Great, Ultra and Masterballs), the following merchandise will always be available in the red, white and black version that started it all.

5 in 1 Pokéball Plus Charger Stand
Small Plastic Pokéballs
Pokéball Plush Toys
Throw ‘N’ Pop Duel Pokémon Toys & Pokéball
Pokéball Airpod Case
Pokéball Plus Controller

One of the coolest Pokéball toys that deserves it’s own special mention is the Pokémon Electronic Die-Cast Poké Ball Replica. Although it can’t be thrown, it’s a highly accurate, electronic, display-grade replica with premium paint and a detailed metal shell. This officially licensed Pokéball glows in multiple colors and includes a display box.

Pokémon Cards

The Pokémon Trading Card Game or Pokémon TCG, is a collectible card game based on the Pokémon franchise by Nintendo. It was first published by Wizards of the Coast (creator of Magic: The Gathering), but was transferred to The Pokémon Company in 2003.

To say this card game is popular is an understatement. In 2016 it overtook Magic: The Gathering as the top-selling toy in the strategic card game subclass, and in 2017 it had 82% of Europe’s strategic card game market. The game has sold over 34.1 billion cards worldwide due to its mass appeal and easy set-up.

When you buy a Pokémon booster pack, you are guaranteed to find someone to play with at a comic book store or game shop. The Pokémon trading card game was made with children in mind, so it’s super easy to get into, but challenging to develop strategies.

If you’re more interested in collecting, you can make some decent cash by finding and holding on to rare cards. While some of the most expensive and rare cards are from older packs, newer packs can offer some valuable rewards, as well.

For example, the Pikachu VMAX Secret Rare Rainbow Card sells for $200-400, but a Gem Mint condition of that same card sold for $1900. This card comes from the Sword & Shield Vivid Voltage Set, which came out on November 13th, 2020.

Other rare cards that may interest you include:

Pikachu Illustrator Cards: $50,000-$200,000
First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard: $25,000-$50,000
Magikarp Tamamushi University Promo Card: $20,000
2005 EX Deoxys #107 Rayquaza Gold Star Holo Card PSA 10 Gem: $15,000-$19,000
Tropical Mega Battle Cards: $5,000-$10,000

If you get really into the game, you may be able to enter tournaments and potentially win $25,000 for first place. You’ll also get rare league promo cards, which will sell for a lot of money down the line.

FAQs

Question: Where can I Buy Pokémon Merchandise?

Answer: The primary place to buy Pokémon merchandise is at the official Pokémon Center website. However, there are plenty of retailers that sell official merchandise, like Hot Topic, Gamestop, and toy stores.
You can also locate the specific manufacturer of the product Pokémon collaborated with if you want to deal with them correctly, like Loungefly.
Official used merchandise often shows up on auction sites or third-party apps, like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop. The cost of each item is up to the sellers’ discretion.
If you’re looking for unofficial merchandise, you can try Etsy. Most of the merch on Etsy isn’t licensed, but it’s made by hand. You can often find unique items that a family-friendly company wouldn’t sell, like tobacco products or intimate underwear.
Search on Instagram for creators who sell fan art, fan comics, or fanfictions, or other novels that revolve around Pokémon.
Keep in mind that most unofficial merch stores don’t sell their items with consent from the Pokémon Company. While fanart, comics, and fanfictions are protected under fair use, others sell direct copies of official merchandise.
If you want to support them directly, always shop at the Pokémon Center or from known retailers that give the Pokémon Company a cut.

Question: Is Pokémon Merchandise Expensive?

Answer: Official Pokémon merchandise can be expensive, but it depends on what you’re looking to buy. A small plushie, figures, or a pack of stickers is easy to make and won’t cost more than $20.
However, if you want to buy jewelry, specialty items like cookware, or large plushies, you’ll have to pay $100 or more. Pikachu or other popular Pokémon, like Eevee, are cheaper.
You can buy unofficial merchandise at half the price of official merch, but the quality usually isn’t great. When you do find a talented creator on Etsy or elsewhere, you’ll likely pay much more if it’s made by hand.
Although official Pokémon merch is expensive, its worth is determined by the person buying it. If you feel that a giant Pikachu price is worth $500, then you’ll be satisfied.

Question: Why is there so much Pikachu Merch?

Answer: Pikachu is the most recognizable Pokémon, largely because he is Ash Ketchum’s partner in the anime series.
He is the official mascot of the franchise and is considered a special companion to many Pokémon players because he was chosen by Ash instead of the other three starters. That makes Pikachu unique, which generally appeals to audiences.
Pikachu was made specifically to be popular. His yellow coloring and neutral look appeal to all genders. Primary colors are recognizable from a distance, and the creature’s large eyes, mouth, squashed face, and ears are features commonly seen in cartoon characters and babies (minus the ears).
Characters with child-like features have a worldwide “cute” appeal.
Clefairy was originally going to be the mascot, but they chose Pikachu instead since Clefairy is pink and too feminine. The Pokémon company feared that Clefairy wouldn’t be interesting to boys, which was the prime videogame demographic at the time.
For all of these reasons, Pikachu became popular and is a safe bet to put on merch. Most consumers won’t buy other Pokémon unless they’re a personal favorite.

Question: What Kinds of Pokémon Merch Can I Buy?

Answer: If you can think of an item, piece of clothing, figure, or game system, you can likely find a Pokémon version of it. If you look hard enough, you could decorate your entire house with Pokémon merch, no matter the color, theme, or Capsule Monster you choose.
It’s common for Pokémon fans to buy plushies, cards, jewelry, figures, and clothing featuring the brand.

Conclusion

With all the different types of merch available on the market, it was difficult to narrow down our choices to just 20. However, we think that this list gives you an overall look at what the Pokémon Company offers to its fans. We also included unofficial merch from talented creators who want to expand on what they love to create merchandise that’s unavailable in stores.

A word of advice: Unofficial merchandise can be made legally if it falls under the umbrella of fair use. For example, if an artist draws a Pokémon and puts it on a pin, they can sell that merch as fan art. However, if they print out a drawing created by The Pokémon Company and put that on a pin, they are committing copyright infringement. Be careful when buying your merch!

Have fun purchasing your favorite Pokémon-related merchandise for your home!