Dutch game stores brace for huge crowds Wednesday as Pokémon 30th-anniversary cards drop
Game stores say they expect huge crowds ahead of Wednesday’s launch of a special new card series celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
“I have been called to death,” Roeland from the Delft game store Speldorado told Omroep West. “The phone won’t stop ringing. I think all of the Neherlands know I do not have them.”
Roeland is only going to let customers pre-order in the store after the release. He opted not to have the cards on the shop’s shelves on Wednesday to avoid “people fighting” and “long lines,” he said. The owner does not want Pokémon fans camping outside, similarly to what happened during May’s launch of the Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop watch, which was then discontinued because of the crowds.
“Everyone wants to be first,” Roeland said. At his store, the customers will only be able to pick up the pre-ordered cards some time after Wednesday’s launch.
For Jan from Happy TCG Shop in Leiden, the “mega busy” September 16 is circled red on the calendar, and extra staff have been called in.
“Now it’s just a matter of waiting to see how much product we actually receive,” Jan said. The cards were only shipped out on Tuesday to avoid any leaks.
