Brand-new games store boasts one of the country’s largest collection of Pokemon cards

A true collector’s paradise, boasting one of the country’s largest collections of Pokemon cards, has opened its first shop west of Brisbane after a roaring trade online.

EVO Games Pokemon card display

Trading card collectors of Ipswich have rejoiced after the opening of a new shop boasting the state’s largest collection of Pokemon cards.

EVO Games recently opened in the Winston Glades Shopping Centre and is a one-stop-shop for collectors of all kinds, with the store selling everything from trading card decks, to squishmallows and one-of-a-kind handmade sculptures.

Pokemon cards were first released in 1996 and have grown enormously in popularity over the last several decades and the EVO games store has more than 1000 of these cards available for viewing and purchase.

EVO Games storefront at Winston Glades Shopping Centre.

Some of these cards include mid and high value cards and some are incredibly rare and valuable cards which many have struggled to find elsewhere.

Store owner Jason Bennett said the business grew from his own passion for collecting the cards.

“I’ve always collected, since I was a child, I started buying packs and it just kept going and going and going,” he said.

“I realised, this is a passion. No one really talks about it but so many people collect them and have since they were kids, I realised that heaps of my friends do too.”

For many, the cards are a tangible memory of their childhood and for others they are a long-term investment.

EVO Games Display of unique sculptures.

“I had one man come in and pay $60 for a card that reminded him of his childhood - it made him feel good,” Mr Bennett said.

“Collectors pay good money to purchase rare cards. Some have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“High-quality card packs especially go up in value quickly. For example, card packs that were $120 in value two years ago are already worth $1000 today.

“We have collectors from all over the country and even overseas reaching out to us to buy cards.”

EVO Games Display

The shop planned to stock more trading card games and board games in the coming weeks and dedicated trading and playing nights will start in the near future.

Mr Bennet said he hoped to provide a safe and respectful space for players to come together and trade their cards.

“We will make sure no there are no fake cards, and people can check that they are getting a good deal with us, so they know what a card is worth for example,” he said.

“We will have tournaments too for people to play and to win prizes, which will happen after the trade nights.”

“We will supply the cards for a rental fee so people don’t have to spend a fortune to get enough cards to play.”