šŸ”„ The Comeback Kid: Why GBC & GBA PokĆ©mon Games Are Blowing Up in 2025 (And What’s Next for Shop Complex)

If you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s, chances are your Game Boy Color or Advance was practically glued to your hands. Whether you were grinding through PokĆ©mon FireRed or trying to finally beat the Elite Four in Emerald, those games weren’t just entertainment — they were aĀ core memory.

Fast forward to 2025, and retro handheld gaming is making a huge comeback. Game Boy Color (GBC) and Game Boy Advance (GBA) titles — especially the PokĆ©mon classics — are blowing up again. And we’re not surprised.


šŸŽ® PokĆ©mon Nostalgia Is at an All-Time High

There’s something magical about revisiting the world of Kanto, Johto, or Hoenn. The music, the pixel art, the grind — it all brings you back to simpler times.

But here’s the catch: those original cartridges? They’re expensive. PokĆ©mon classics now go for collector prices, and most people just want to play, not drop $200 on something that sits on a shelf.

That’s why more fans are looking for affordable ways to replay the games they love — not as investment pieces, but as part of the experience. And for many, that experience reignites a passion for the PokĆ©mon Trading Card Game too.


šŸ’œ Back to Cards? Yeah, Us Too

We’ve seen it firsthand: people start playing the old games again and suddenly they’re hunting down the cards they remember from their childhood. That spark of nostalgia turns into a whole new collecting journey.

And that’s where we come in.

At Shop Complex, we specialize in authentic Japanese PokĆ©mon cards, shipped fast from the U.S. — with the kind of care only a real collector gives. Whether you’re chasing a specific card or starting fresh, we’ve got something that’ll take you right back.


šŸš€ Where Shop Complex Is Headed

Right now, our mission is to get awesome cards into the hands of collectors who love the game. But long-term? We're working toward something bigger.

Here’s what we hope to bring to the store in the future:

  • šŸ•¹ļø Affordable, playable versions of classic PokĆ©mon games — because nostalgia shouldn’t come with a luxury tax
  • šŸ”§ Refurbished and modded handheld consoles — Game Boys that feel retro, but play like new
  • šŸ‘• Geeky, old-school themed apparel
  • ā˜•ļø Everyday items with a collector’s twist — mugs, notebooks, and phone chargers, all reimagined for fans like you

We’re not there yet, but we’re working toward it — one product at a time, one order at a time.


šŸ’” Functional Gear, Collector Vibes

One idea we’re excited about? A PokĆ©ball-inspired ā€œTrainer Fuelā€ travel mug.
Imagine sipping your morning coffee from a cup that feels like it came straight out of a PokĆ©Center — maybe even bundled with a Japanese booster pack and a mystery sticker.

We don’t have the resources to make that happen just yet, but it’s on the vision board. And if that sounds like something you’d use or gift, let us know. Your feedback helps shape what Shop Complex becomes.


šŸ›’ Start Your Comeback Run

While we build toward the next evolution of the shop, the good stuff is already here:

āœ… Authentic Japanese PokĆ©mon Booster Packs
āœ… Collector-friendly packaging
āœ… Ships fast from the U.S.
āœ… Run by a real collector — not a faceless warehouse

šŸ‘‰ Shop Now
šŸŽ‰ Use code POKE10 for 10% off your first order


šŸ“² Stay Connected With Us!

Follow us for new drops, behind-the-scenes content, giveaways, and collector convos:


Shop Complex is evolving — just like your favorite starter PokĆ©mon.
Thanks for being here at the beginning. There’s a lot more coming down the road, and we can’t wait to grow with you. šŸ’„

Back to blog