Pokémon Go Times Square Mewtwo Resales Spark Controversy Amid Thousand-Dollar Price Tags

Back in early July, the Pokémon Go community expressed widespread frustration when developer Scopely marked the game’s 10th anniversary with an exclusive Mewtwo event. A week later, that resentment has only intensified as reports emerge of invited attendees—who were treated like VIPs—capitalizing on the experience by reselling their event-exclusive rewards.

To recap, the Global Pokémon Go Fest was preceded by a high-profile marketing stunt in which Mewtwo “escaped” containment, eventually surfacing to take over New York City’s Times Square. Attendees lucky enough to participate in the raid were granted the opportunity to capture a specialized Mewtwo. These versions boasted perfect IVs (“hundos”) and featured a distinct, location-specific background.

While the event served as a nostalgic nod to the original 2016 Pokémon Go trailer—which famously depicted trainers battling a Mewtwo in the heart of Times Square—the execution left a sour taste. The experience was strictly gatekept for select influencers and members of the press. While general players were eventually given access to their own Mewtwo raids, they were denied the chance to capture the “perfect” variant with the unique commemorative background. For many, this decision felt like a betrayal of the inclusive, community-driven spirit that fueled the game’s initial meteoric rise.

The situation has taken an even more mercenary turn now that these coveted Mewtwos are appearing on secondary markets. Listings on eBay for the Times Square Mewtwo are currently fetching anywhere from $500 to a staggering $5,000. The most expensive entries feature “shiny” versions with perfect stats—an extreme rarity that most dedicated players might never encounter in years of gameplay. Rare movesets on these units are also driving up asking prices significantly.

While a niche market exists for trading specific Pokémon, typical event-related listings rarely exceed $40. Given that fewer than 2,300 of these Times Square Mewtwos were ever generated, their artificial scarcity has turned them into high-value collector’s items. It is a difficult pill to swallow for the dedicated fanbase, who are now watching as a milestone anniversary event—meant to celebrate the community—is transformed into a lucrative payday for a chosen few.