| The origin of the controversy: Uri Geller is suing Nintendo |
| The impact on the Pokemon TCG |
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The Return of Kadabra and the Future of the Pokemon TCG
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Conclusion
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The all-new Pokemon TCG Set 151, due out in June 2023, finally brings the iconic first-generation Psychic-type Kadabra back to the Pokemon TCG after more than two decades. This exciting set will also include the pre-evolution Abra and the evolution Simsala (Simsala EX). The re-release of Kadabra maps is now possible as the longstanding court case that prevented these maps from being printed has been settled.
The intriguing story of the controversy between the Pokémon Kadabra and the mentalist Uri Geller shows how a legal battle can have an impact on the Pokemon TCG. This article takes a look at the most important aspects of this story and how it affects the Pokemon TCG.
The origin of the controversy: Uri Geller is suing Nintendo
In 2000, Israeli mentalist Uri Geller sued Nintendo for believing that the Pokemon Kadabra was based on his personality and abilities. Geller is known for his ability to bend spoons, and Kadabra frequently holds a bent spoon in his official illustrations, supporting Geller's claims. The legal battle resulted in Kadabra making very infrequent appearances in the franchise's Pokemon trading card games and other media for the years that followed.
The impact on the Pokemon TCG
The Kadabra controversy had some limited impact on the Pokemon TCG:
Limited availability of Kadabra cards:
Due to the legal dispute, few Kadabra maps were printed and published in the years that followed. Kadabra was last received a card in the Pokemon Skyridge set in 2003. This led to increased demand for these cards and made them highly sought after collector's items.
Influence on Abra and Simsala:
Since Kadabra is an evolutionary stage between Abra and Simsala, it became more difficult to obtain Simsala in the games as Kadabra was less available. Pokemon circumvented the issue by allowing Simsala in its ex, GX, and V versions to be played as a base Pokemon without first having to evolve it from Kadabra. Despite the issues, other iconic Pokemon like Pikachu and Charizard have remained largely unaffected by the controversy.
The Return of Kadabra and the Future of the Pokemon TCG
In 2020, Uri Geller dropped his claims against Nintendo and Game Freak, publicly stating that he now allows the companies to use Kadabra again in future Pokemon games and media. He told PokeBeach: "It was you [PokeBeach] and my granddaughters that made me change my mind. Now we can all see Kadabra reunited with the original Pokemon in the card game this summer. I admit I was a fool. It was a devastating mistake on my part to sue Pokemon. Forgive me." Since then, Kadabra has regained a presence in some Pokemon products, and fans are hoping for a full Pokemon return in future games and expansions Kadabra become a special set.
Conclusion
Although the Kadabra and Uri Geller controversy had some impact on the Pokemon TCG, it was largely limited and didn't have a far-reaching impact on the market as a whole. The Pokemon TCG has continued to release many new and exciting collections and expansions, and the trading card game's popularity continues unabated. However, this controversy remains an interesting moment in the history of the Pokemon TCG and shows how a legal battle can affect the availability of certain cards.
