Honestly, the first time I saw someone handing out tiny packs of Pokémon cards instead of fun-sized Snickers, I thought they were either a genius or just trying to save a buck. It turns out, they were a bit of both. Since 2022, The Pokémon Company has been dropping these Trick or Trade BOOster Bundles, and what started as a niche holiday gimmick has turned into a yearly tradition for collectors. If you’ve ever stared at a pile of these mini-packs and wondered if that pumpkin-stamped Pikachu is actually worth anything, you’re in the right place.
The trick or trade pokemon card list isn't just one static set of cards. It changes every year, pulling from the current era of the TCG—whether that’s the tail end of Sword & Shield or the thick of the Scarlet & Violet era. These aren't new cards in the sense of having unique attacks, but they are unique variants. Every card in these sets features a special Pikachu pumpkin stamp in the corner of the artwork. It’s a small detail, but in the world of card collecting, small details are everything.
The 2024 Trick or Trade Breakdown (Scarlet & Violet Era)
Last year’s set was arguably one of the most interesting because it leaned heavily into the "spooky" vibes of the Paldea region. The 2024 list consisted of 30 cards. Most of these are standard reprints, but the holos are where people usually focus.
In the 2024 bundle, the heavy hitters were Gengar, Munkidori, and Flutter Mane. If you’re a player, you already know Flutter Mane is a beast in the competitive scene because of its ability to shut down opponent's active Pokémon abilities. Getting a "Galaxy Holo" or "Cosmos Holo" version with a little pumpkin on it? That’s just style points.
Here is the general gist of what you’d find in those 2024 packs:
- The Big Holos: Gengar (the eternal favorite), Mimikyu, Darkrai, and the new "Loyal Three" members like Munkidori, Okidogi, and Fezandipiti.
- The Starters: You had the Paldean trio—Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
- The Spooky Staples: Lots of Litwick, Lampent, and Chandelure, plus the Greavard and Houndstone line.
The 2024 set was notably easy to complete. Unlike main sets where you might spend hundreds of dollars chasing a "waifu" card or a gold-etched Charizard, you can usually finish a Trick or Trade set by opening about 10 to 15 of those mini-packs. Each pack has three cards, and one is guaranteed to be a holo.
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How 2025 Changed the Game
Moving into 2025, the rumors were flying. People were worried they wouldn't do it again because the release schedule for sets like Prismatic Evolutions and Mega Evolution was so packed. But the trick or trade pokemon card list for 2025 did indeed arrive, and it brought some "Prisma" style flair to the table.
We saw a shift toward even more specific "Halloween" themes. The 2025 set moved away from the 30-card standard and experimented with a tighter 35-pack bundle at a $14.99 price point. The standout was the Pumpkin-themed Pikachu. Every year has a Pikachu, but the 2025 version felt a bit more integrated into the Halloween aesthetic rather than just a re-stamped base card.
The value isn't always in the individual cards, though. It’s in the sealed product. A lot of parents buy these to give out, but smart collectors are tucking a few bundles away in their closets. Why? Because while they are mass-produced, they are only available for about six weeks out of the year. Ten years from now, someone is going to want a sealed 2022 or 2023 bundle for a "vintage" Halloween opening, and that’s when the prices move.
Comparing the Years: 2022 vs. 2023 vs. 2024
If you’re looking at your collection and trying to figure out which year you have, look at the set symbols and the pack colors.
The 2022 Set: This was the OG. It had 30 cards. The big chase was the Mewtwo Holo and the Gengar Holo. Because it was the first year, people went nuts. You can tell these apart because they use the Sword & Shield card layout (yellow borders for most).
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The 2023 Set: This one felt a bit more refined. It featured Pikachu and Mimikyu on the pack art. The card list expanded a bit in terms of variety, including things like Marshadow and Houndstone. The borders shifted to the silver style used in Scarlet & Violet, which made the cards look a bit cleaner.
The 2024 Set: Orange packaging. Very heavy on the Paradox Pokémon (like Flutter Mane) and the Kitakami region spooks. This is currently the most common one you'll find in the "backstock" sections of big-box retailers.
Why do people collect these?
You might think, "They're just reprints, who cares?" But the Cosmos Holo pattern (the little circles/bubbles in the foil) is something Pokémon fans genuinely love. In main sets, Pokémon often uses a vertical or diagonal foil pattern. The Cosmos Holo is a throwback to the older Wizards of the Coast days. Getting modern cards like Umbreon or Darkrai in that classic foil style with a pumpkin stamp is basically catnip for certain types of collectors.
Are Trick or Trade Cards Worth Money?
Let's be real for a second. You aren't going to retire on a Trick or Trade Gengar. Most of these cards are worth anywhere from 10 cents to a couple of dollars.
However, there is a "grading" market. A PSA 10 (perfect condition) Gengar from the 2022 set has sold for over $100. Why? Because these cards are often tossed into plastic pumpkins by kids or shoved into pockets. Finding one that is perfectly centered with zero scratches is actually harder than you’d think. If you pull a Gengar or a Pikachu and it looks absolutely flawless, it might be worth putting in a sleeve and a top-loader.
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Spotting the Rarities
The trick or trade pokemon card list is usually divided into two tiers:
- Common/Uncommon: These are the non-holo cards. Think Zubat, Gastly, and Sinistea. They have the stamp, but they aren't shiny.
- Holo Rares: These are the ones everyone wants. They have the Cosmos Holofoil. In a 30-card set, there are usually 10 holos.
If you're trying to complete a set, the holos are the only "difficult" part, but since you get one in every single 3-card pack, the math is in your favor.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you've got a stack of these or you're planning for next Halloween, here’s how to handle it.
First, check the year. Look at the bottom left of the card for the copyright date or the set symbol. 2022 will feel very different from 2024. Second, separate your holos immediately. The foil on these cards tends to "curl" (we call it the Pringle effect) if they are left out in humid air. Put them in a binder or a penny sleeve to keep them flat.
If you’re buying these to hand out, wait until the first week of November. Target, Walmart, and even grocery stores usually slash the price of remaining bundles by 50% or more the day after Halloween. It’s the cheapest way to bulk up a collection or get trade bait for younger kids.
Lastly, don't sleep on the "Pikachu Pumpkin" stamp. While it might seem like a small addition now, "stamped" cards historically hold their value better than their non-stamped counterparts. Just look at the old "Prerelease" stamps or the "Staff" stamps from years ago. While the Trick or Trade stamp is more common, it still marks a specific moment in Pokémon history.
For those looking to complete the trick or trade pokemon card list for any specific year, your best bet is to buy a single sealed bundle and then trade your doubles with friends. There is almost no reason to buy individual singles for these unless you are looking for a specific graded 10. The joy of these sets is the "easy win"—the ability to actually finish a set without breaking the bank. It's a nice breather from the stress of chasing secret rares in the main expansions.