James AllenIt started with late-night Pokémon battles on the Switch, exploring the expansive map, battling various gym leaders, and catching the rarest Pokémon. Safe to say, I got way too invested in the game, and now I’m looking for more ways to keep the fun going.
That’s where Pokémon TCG comes in. I’m on a mission to build a strong deck, ready to take on friends and fellow collectors. Luckily, that’s never been a problem, because Toronto is packed with awesome card shops that make finding the right cards a breeze.
I’ve visited some top-tier spots that have never let me down. If you’re looking to level up your collection, here are the best card shops in Toronto to help get you started!
How We Chose
1. 401 Games
Cards offered: Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, Magic: The Gathering, Star Wars: Unlimited, sports cards, and more
Address: 431 Yonge St
Phone number: +1 416-599-6446
Business hours:
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (MON-FRI)
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (SAT)
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (SUN)
401 Games is one of my go-to spots to build my Pokémon TCG collection. Their massive selection covers not just Pokémon but also Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, and Magic: The Gathering, making it a good place for any card game fan.
One of the best perks is their loyalty discounts—the more you shop, the better the prices, which is hard to pass up. Their pre-order price protection is another good bonus; if the price drops before release, they credit you the difference.
Beyond just buying cards, I keep coming back for their events and competitions. It’s nice to play against other collectors, test my deck, and hang out with other Pokémon fans every now and then.
However, it’s really frustrating that they sometimes mix up my orders and deliver the wrong items. Sorting these issues can take days, after all.
One of the best game stores in the city
“One of the best game stores in the city and their customer service is second to none. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, chat with an employee and there’s a good chance they can find it or order it in for you.
I have been shopping/ordering here for years and will continue to do so as they are a delight to deal with as well as their fair and competitive prices.”
-Crimson Jimi, Google Reviews
I make a point to come here every time I’m in town!
“I make a point to come here every time I’m in town! Staff is super friendly, the stock is always great and plenty of space for card games too.”
-J Perdun, Google Reviews
2. A&C Games
Cards offered: Pokémon, Final Fantasy, Magic: The Gathering, Cardfight!! Vanguard, Digimon, and more
Address: 452 Spadina Ave.
Phone number: +1 416-923-3066
Business hours:
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (SUN-THURS)
12:00 PM – 7:00 PM (FRI and SAT)
Whenever I have cards I’m not keen on keeping, I just send them to A&C Games. Their mail-in trade-in service lets me ship off my unwanted cards, and within a couple of hours, I get my payment via PayPal.
Aside from selling, I also buy cards here pretty often. Their collection for Pokémon, Final Fantasy, and Magic: The Gathering is solid, and most of the time, I just order online, since they offer free same-day delivery on orders over $100.
Just like the other card shop I mentioned earlier, they too regularly host events. That’s another reason I often visit here, since it’s easy to connect with fellow card players while I’m checking out new stuff.
That said, I can’t stand when they cancel orders at the last minute. I get that card prices fluctuate fast, but dropping an order without warning is just bad practice.
My go-to place whenever I want to grab some Pokémon cards!
“My go-to place whenever I want to grab some Pokémon cards! It can get busy at times, so please have some patience while making your purchases. Overall, there is a great variety of collectibles.”
-Ammar Akhtar Gill, Google Reviews
This store is amazing!
“Woah! This store is amazing! It’s got plenty things for everyone, such as figures, especially video game stuff, toys, plushies, trading cards, and other things that would make this review longer 😅. If you’re curious on what else is there to see, I recommend you head on out and see it for yourself!”
-Poor Lad, Google Reviews
3. Mintink Trading Cards and Live Experience
Cards offered: Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Disney, DC Comics, NBA, and more
Address: 8555 Jane St Unit 5 & 6, Vaughan
Phone number: +1 416-827-9141
Business hours:
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (MON)
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (TUES)
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (WED-FRI)
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (SAT)
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (SUN)
If you have an extremely rare card, Mintink Trading Cards and Live Experience is worth a visit. They carry a wide variety of cards for TCGs, sports, and even comic book characters.
One of the biggest reasons I recommended them is their grading service, which helps boost the value of unique cards. They verify authenticity and provide protection to keep your cards in mint condition.
Beyond grading, their pre-order price protection is a solid perk. Plus, with regular events, this shop is a decent spot to meet fellow collectors.
The only thing that’s stopping me from becoming a regular here is their location. They’re in Vaughan, so if you’re like me, who lives in the southern part of Toronto, getting here can be a bit of a trek.
The best spot for collectors!
“Mintink.ca is hands down the best spot for collectors! The staff are absolutely amazing — friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help whether you’re just starting out or looking for something rare. Every time I visit, I learn a little more about this awesome hobby thanks to their passion and expertise.
Their products are unique, always top-tier, and somehow they manage to get all the good stuff first. Mintink has truly helped me build a collection I’m proud of, and the experience is unbeatable. Between the incredible service, rare finds, and welcoming atmosphere, there’s just no competition.
If you’re into cards or just curious, do yourself a favor and check them out. 5 stars all the way!”
-Vaughan Moms, Google Reviews
Had a great experience buying Pokémon products at the store
“Had a great experience buying Pokémon products at the store. Good deals and enthusiasm from staff. Chad especially was the most helpful and gave great customer service with my purchase. Definitely will come back again”
-Mango Teh, Google Reviews
4. Hobby Stop TCG & Collectibles
Cards offered: Pokémon, Sorcery, Grand Archive, and One Piece
Address: 11 Bead Fernway, North York
Business hours: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Earlier, I mentioned a shop that’s good if you have a rare card you want to get graded, but what about the opposite? If you’re looking for rare cards to add to your collection, check out Hobby Stop, where you can find PSA-graded cards from the Pokémon TCG.
Aside from Pokémon cards, they also feature TCGs like Sorcery, Grand Archive, and One Piece. What’s nice is that all of their products are covered by their price adjustment policy, which means they’ll credit you the difference if the price drops seven days after purchase, even for non-pre-orders!
Another nice touch is their quite generous 30-day return policy. As long as the item remains unopened, they’ll refund you without any questions.
If there’s a downside, it’s their limited business hours. They’re only open for four hours every day, which isn’t the most convenient.
They are a hidden gem in the TCG community
“I ordered their Mystery box of 36 packs of Pokémon cards and I am most certainly not disappointed!
Very communicative staff, quick shipping (even from Canada to the US!) Packaging was nice and secure, great pack selection in the box, even had some unexpected bonus items within the package!
10/10 I will be ordering from this company again. They are a hidden gem in the TCG community.”
-Seraph, Google Reviews
A great shop if you’re looking for some Pokémon goodies
“This is a great shop if you’re looking for some Pokémon goodies. Customer service was excellent and my order was packaged really well. They all came double sleeved with pull tabs which showed a great level of care and there were extra freebies too. Overall I would definitely recommend and would be purchasing from them again!”
-Jessica N, Google Reviews
5. Banana Games & Hobby
Cards offered: Pokémon, One Piece, Union Arena, Gundam TCG, Magic: The Gathering, and more
Address: 384 Yonge St Unit 39-40
Phone number: +1 437-448-9291
Business hours:
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (SUN-TUES)
12:00 PM – 9:00 PM (WED-SAT)
A spot I recommend if you love collecting more than just cards is Banana Games & Hobby. It’s easily one of my favourite shops because, aside from Pokémon cards, they also carry adorable plushies featuring fan-favourite characters like Snorlax and Pikachu.
Buying from them is pretty convenient, too, since they offer interest-free financing via Afterpay. There’s no need to drop a huge amount of cash upfront when you shop here.
Their customer loyalty program is also solid. You earn points every time you shop, and those discounts have saved me a decent chunk of money over time.
Still, this store is far from perfect. I’ve had a few visits where the staff came off as rude, which is a bit frustrating. They also don’t restock some items regularly, so your shopping experience here can be a hit or miss.
A really fun hobby shop that caters to a wide variety of people
“Great staff. And a surprisingly large amount of selection. It is somewhat hidden… But to be honest… I like that because every other store in Toronto is completely overwhelmed with Pokémon investors. This seems like a really fun hobby shop that caters to a wide variety of people. And I really enjoy that. I’ve taken some friends to this, and we all like the aesthetics of the store and friendliness of the staff.”
-A T, Google Reviews
Banana Games is the best store for getting Pokémon TCG singles!
“Banana Games is the best store for getting Pokémon TCG singles! Not many card shops carry binders for singles anymore, but luckily Banana Games carries a good variety of singles for deck building. The owner was incredibly kind to help me find the cards I needed for my deck and happily invited me to come out to play locally. This is a hidden gem, and I most definitely recommend this shop if you play and/or collect Pokémon cards!”
-Lean Layacan, Google Reviews
