Pokémon Fever in Málaga: From Vending Machines to Exclusive Stores

It seems like it was just yesterday, but Pikachu and Charizard are already 30 years old. Far from becoming outdated, they are more popular than ever. This craze has even reached the major shopping centers in Malaga with vending machines for Pokémon TCG (Trading Card Game) packs. These machines feature a range of collections from the franchise—usually in Japanese—from the latest to some of the most acclaimed sets by fans, such as 'Prismatic Evolutions' or '151', named after the first 151 Pokémon from the first generation, the original ones from Kanto.

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Where to buy Pokémon packs in vending machines

• C.C. Larios Malaga

• C.C. Vialia Malaga

• C.C. La Rosaleda Malaga

• P.C. Malaga Nostrum Malaga

• C.C. Miramar Fuengirola

• C.C. La Cañada Marbella

• C.C. El ingenio Vélez-Málaga

With prices ranging from four to fifteen euros depending on the collection, besides being an attraction for veteran collectors, these machines are also a temptation for the curious who can't resist opening some packs, not necessarily to play or collect, but for the thrill of seeing what lies inside.

However, it's not all about the vending machines. In the center of Malaga, there's a must-visit spot for franchise fans called Shark Games Center, located on Angosta del Carmen Street. Dominating the store is a wall full of exotic cards, forcing everyone who enters to stop and take a look at the artwork of the cards protected behind the displays.

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In this store, it's also possible to buy packs and even boxes from different collections and in various languages, from Japanese, Chinese, and Korean—an affordable option for those unsure where to start collecting—to English and of course Spanish. But this establishment is not only about buying cards, as it also hosts Pokémon League days where hobby enthusiasts gather to exchange, compete, and win prizes.

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February 27, 1996, marked a turning point. No agreement was signed, it wasn't election day, nor was there any important match. Far from it. That day, Pokémon Red and Green were released for the legendary Game Boy. From there, everything is history. For three decades, the franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri has marked the childhood and adolescence of millions of children who grew up with the saga. And there's more to come.