Pokémon fans across Germany queued for hours outside toy shops to get their hands on a new anniversary trading card set, according to reports from several German outlets. Merkur reports that one retailer explained why collectors feel both enthusiasm and frustration about the release. Long lines formed in Krefeld, where the Westdeutsche Zeitung reported people waiting for the newest Pokémon cards, while WDR described thousands of fans camping outside stores for the card game.
The rush was not limited to one city. According to MOPO, fans in Hamburg crowded into a shop, prompting strict limits on how many items each customer could buy. BR also reported a heavy run on the anniversary set, with fans waiting for hours.
The scale of the queues reflects how strong demand remains for Pokémon trading cards, particularly around milestone releases. The anniversary set marks 30 years of the franchise, which is why so many collectors wanted to secure it on release day. Retailers responded to the crowds by capping purchases, a measure aimed at spreading stock among more buyers, according to MOPO.
The mixed reaction described by Merkur suggests the set itself, and the way it was sold, left some fans pleased and others disappointed. Details of the retailer's specific complaints were not available in the source material.
What to watch next: whether retailers extend purchase limits and whether more stock reaches shelves in the coming weeks.