The National Toy Hall of Fame has inducted Pokémon cards, the trading card game that has become one of the most recognizable toys of the past three decades. The announcement, made on November 5, was tied to the franchise's 30th anniversary and places the cards among a select group of toys honored for lasting cultural influence.
Three other toys were named alongside Pokémon cards this year: Bingo, Care Bears and the classic slide. The slide won out over Bop It!, mahjong and Polly Pocket in the final vote, a contest that reflected the wide range of play traditions the hall considers. The hall, which is housed at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, was founded in 1998 to recognize toys that have remained popular over time.
Curator Mirek Stolee praised the game's global appeal, pointing to how it has crossed borders and generations. Pokémon cards have been printed in 13 languages, and as of March 2026 more than 85 billion cards had been produced. The game has also grown into a broader franchise, spawning a Game Boy video game and a multiplatform app.
Induction into the hall is decided through a public nomination process. Anyone can nominate a toy, and a panel of curators, historians and educators then votes. Toys are judged against four criteria: icon status, longevity, discovery and innovation. The hall has previously honored unusual selections, including a cardboard box and sand, and in the games category it has recognized Magic: The Gathering, inducted in 2019, and Dungeons & Dragons, which was inducted about a decade earlier.
The honor arrives as the card packs themselves have become the subject of heavy financial speculation. Estimates place the total market value of the cards above $15 billion, and scalping and rising prices have made it harder for many children and casual fans to buy them. Collectors and retailers have also complained about shortages, and complaints from scalpers about low profit margins surfaced around the 30th anniversary product line.
The Pokémon Company has pledged to increase stock in an effort to ease the shortages. Induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame is likely to bring new exhibits and events at The Strong next year, giving the cards a permanent place in a museum that frames play as a serious subject of study.