Why Pokémon TCG Cards Are Exploding in Popularity Again (Snorlax EX Trend)

For more than 25 years, the Pokémon Trading Card Game has moved in cycles — waves of hype, corrections, and new surges.
Today, we’re in the middle of another spike in demand, and one card line is leading the trend: Snorlax EX.

Searches related to Snorlax EX and other new Pokémon cards have jumped by more than +2000%, signaling one of the strongest collector waves since the 2020–2021 boom.

Why is this happening again?
Let’s break it down.

1. The New Scarlet & Violet Sets Reignited Collector Interest

The recent Scarlet & Violet era introduced EX cards with modern artwork, richer textures, and a nostalgic callback to the classic Pokémon EX era.

Snorlax EX, in particular, benefits from:

A fan-favorite character
High-quality full-art and illustration rare versions
Strong playability in TCG decks

This combo pushes both competitive players and collectors into the market at the same time.

2. Nostalgia Has Hit a New Demographic

The original Pokémon generation is now:

25–35 years old
Earning more
Spending more on hobbies and collectibles

This demographic shift fuels demand for:

EX reboots
Illustration rares
Starter Pokémon cards
Vintage-styled artwork

Snorlax — a universally beloved Gen 1 character — sits at the perfect intersection of nostalgia and modern collectability.

3. YouTube & TikTok Pulled Collectibles Back Into the Spotlight

Influencers, streamers, and card-pull creators are once again driving viral spikes.

Trends contributing to the surge:

Live box breaks
“EX vs EX” pack battles
Grading reveals (PSA/BGS/CGC)
Chase card challenges

Whenever certain cards become “pull goals” in viral videos, search interest jumps.
Snorlax EX is currently one of the most showcased pulls in these trends.

4. Pokémon TCG Is Still One of the Safest Collectibles Markets

Compared to other collectible asset classes:

Pokémon has stable global demand
New sets sell out consistently
Reprint policy is moderate (not excessive)
Secondary market remains liquid

Collectors trust Pokémon’s long-term value more than newer or speculative trading card brands.

Snorlax EX represents the type of card that tends to appreciate steadily over time: a popular character with multiple rarity tiers.

5. Competitive Play Is Driving Prices Up

In the competitive TCG meta, certain EX cards become must-have staples.
When a card gains relevance in tournaments, two things happen simultaneously:

Players buy it for their decks
Collectors buy it for long-term value

This creates short-term supply squeezes and predictable price spikes.
Snorlax EX has entered several competitive deck discussions, increasing demand.

6. Grading Boom 2.0: PSA, CGC, and BGS Are Backed Up Again

During the 2020–21 craze, grading companies were overwhelmed.
That eventually cooled off — but 2024–2025 shows grading volume rising again.

Why this matters:

High-grade EX cards often multiply in value
Collectors grade more when they anticipate long-term appreciation
Snorlax EX full-art versions are already trending in PSA pop reports

This signals confidence in Pokémon TCG as an investment-grade collectible.

7. The Snorlax Effect: Why This Character Specifically?

Snorlax is a top-tier “evergreen” character — always popular, always recognizable.

Collectors like it because:

It’s iconic
It appears consistently across generations
It has strong emotional appeal
It performs well historically in value charts

Whenever Snorlax receives a new high-quality print (like the EX variants), demand spikes almost immediately.

Final Thoughts: Pokémon TCG Is Entering Another Major Cycle

The surge in Snorlax EX–related searches is not random — it reflects a broader, sustained rise in the Pokémon TCG market.

The drivers are clear:

New high-quality EX releases
Nostalgia from aging millennials
Viral social content
Competitive play relevance
Renewed grading demand

For collectors and investors, this is a strong signal that the next 12–24 months could bring continued appreciation for key EX cards, including Snorlax EX.