ThePokémon Trading Card Gamecontinues to expand its151set unexpectedly, with two major product announcements in just one week. Collectors pursuing a Master Set – every card in every variation – now face additional challenges. An exclusive Costco bundle featuring hard-to-find cards was revealed, followed by the announcement of the Blooming Waters Premium Collection, due for a February 2025 release. This constant stream of new content is unusual, given the151set originally launched in 2023, and it is making it increasingly difficult for collectors to keep up.

With each new release,the dream of completing the151Master Set feels more out of reach than ever. Typically,Pokémon TCGsets only run for a limited time. However, the151set’s expansion well into 2025 is rendering the task of a complete collection nearly impossible. New promos, exclusive variants, and bundles with retailer-specific cards are continually being added, requiring collectors to navigate a growing and fragmented release schedule, and potentially making151Pokémoncards more expensive.

Alakazam ex, Caterpie, and Erika’s Invitation cards from Pokemon 151

New 151 Premium Collection And Costco Bundles Are Releasing

Further Expansion To The Pokémon TCG: 151 Set

The Costco-exclusive bundle introduces special151-themed products unavailable elsewhere. It includes oversized cards of iconic Pokémon such as Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur, along with promo variants of these cards. The bundle also features a playmat with the original 151 Kanto Pokémon and a special art tin, both exclusive to Costco.These bundles are highly sought after by collectors but are difficult to obtaindue to their limited availability. Without Costco access, collectors must rely on third-party resellers, which increases scarcity and drives up prices in the market.

10 Rarest Pokémon 151 Cards (& How Much Money They’re Worth)

​​​​​​​Although TCG pull rates for Pokémon 151 cards are not as bad as originally predicted, these cards are still pretty hard to come by.

The Blooming Waters Premium Collection, set to be released in February 2025, introduces new promo cards featuring popular Pokémon like Vaporeon, Lapras, and Gyarados. It contains a foil variation of Mr. Mime from the original151set, along with a display box, holographic coin, and a detailed cardholder showcasing the iconic Pokémon logo. Though the collection offers more attractive items,its release over a year after the151’s debut is unprecedented, contributing to a never-ending cycle of additions that complicates acquiring a Master Set.

Pokemon Franchise Image

A Master Collection Of 151 Cards Is Getting Out Of Hand

151 Products Are Getting Harder To Acquire

For collectors aiming to complete a Master Set of the 151 cards, these new bundles present a major setback. Beyond gathering the original cards, fans must now chase retailer-specific exclusives, oversized promos, and variants released long after the set’s debut. This renders collecting every card a more expensive and time-consuming task. The Costco bundle, for example, includes specific cards and oversized promos that are unavailable in other packs.This forces collectors to go out of their way to secure these limited-editionitems, further complicating the pursuit of a Master Set.

It is baffling that a set from 2023 is still expanding with new product releases two years later.

The new Blooming Waters Premium Collection exacerbates this issue even further. Due to launch in 2025, it is baffling that a set from 2023 is still expanding with new product releases two years later. This presents an issue for fans trying to keep their collections complete, as it feels like an endless race with no finish line. Clearly, The Pokémon Company is expanding the lifecycle of the151set far beyond what is typical forPokémon TCGexpansions. This constant drip of new, exclusive content is pushing some collectors to the edge of their patience.