Pokémon 30th anniversary cards see fans queue in York

They gathered at the Totally Awesome toy shop in Colliergate on Wednesday morning (September 16) for the 30th-anniversary trading-card release.

A Pokémon fan celebrates the 30th anniversary at Totally Awesome in York (Image: Supplied)

Jo Patton, who took over the store with his family two years ago, said it was a “huge joy to celebrate the 30th anniversary with so many of our local Pokémon community throughout the day”.

“From the buzz of the early morning queues to the joy of the last pack being ripped before we closed, it was a fantastic event,” he said.

Pokémon fans celebrate the 30th anniversary at Totally Awesome in York (Image: Supplied)

Jo said Totally Awesome will continue the Pokémon celebrations into the weekend, “with goody bags for children visiting us this Saturday”.

The special Pokémon Trading Card Game release featured high-value cards.

More than 85 billion Pokémon trading cards have been produced since the franchise began in 1996, and one ultra-rare card sold for £12 million earlier this year.

Pokémon’s 30th anniversary trading cards which were released on Wednesday (September 16) (Image: Supplied)

Jo put Pokémon’s popularity down to its ability to offer an “inter-generational and inspirational escape”, adding that the franchise has also helped bring people together.

“Thirty years is a long time for a franchise to survive,” he said. “Pokémon has transcended the years by creating an engaging and safe world for each new generation to explore, evolve and organise.

“In what can sometimes seem a complicated world, the Pokémon ecosystem is safe, fun and ordered.”

“Here's to another 30 years,” he added.

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York’s Pokémon fans joined enthusiasts across the country in celebrating the 30th anniversary – some of whom queued through the night for the release of the new cards.

Pokémon, originally known as Pocket Monsters, began as a Nintendo Game Boy game released in Japan in 1996.

It sold millions of copies worldwide, with the name later shortened to Pokémon.

Following the success of the first games, Media Factory launched the Pokémon Trading Card Game in October 1996.