Gotta Catch 'Em All, Then Skate 'Em: Santa Cruz x Pokémon Blind Bag Decks

Every so often a collab lands that makes both fanbases lose their minds at once. In September 2023, that was Santa Cruz Skateboards and Pokémon.

The Drop

The Limited Edition Assorted Pokémon Santa Cruz Blind Bag Decks and Apparel launched worldwide on September 13, 2023. The format borrowed from trading cards. The sealed packaging was meant to replicate the feeling of tearing open a pack of Pokémon cards. Unboxing videos showed it was double-layered: silver outer packaging showing the possible deck designs, with colorful packaging inside that you unwrap to reveal the board.

What Was in the Bag

Each sealed bag held a unique 8" skateboard featuring an iconic Pokémon character. The chase is what made it a collector's item:

• Holo foil variants: There were 15 of these, each showing a different character over a silver prismatic rainbow glitter foil background with silver metallic paint.

• Gold foil editions: Five special variants used black and metallic gold ink on metallic gold foil.

All told, the lineup covered 20 different Pokémon, each with a chance to be holographic.

The Hype (and the Resale Market)

The blind bags didn't last. One forum commenter claimed the drop was out of stock in 10 seconds, and retailers later described it as having sold out almost instantly. The mystery format made it feel like pulling a shiny from the grass. In a pack-opening-style setup, the golds were the jackpot.

The resale numbers got wild. A TCG-focused account posted a video of a customer pulling a gold Charizard, with a claimed value of $15,000+. One forum member noted that gold Gyarados boards were going for over a grand on the second-hand market. The retail price was around $100 per blind bag.

Collector Piece or Skate Deck?

Collab decks always raise the question of whether you ride it or frame it. The forum crowd split on it. Some loved the crossover, while others wished the designs were more original than stock Pokémon art. Our take? Any board looks great hanging on a wall. But who else can claim they skated a gold variant Pokemon deck? Do whatever brings you the most joy, that is what skateboarding is all about anyways!

The Sequel Is Almost Here

Two days from now, the collab gets a second chapter. For the 30th anniversary of Pokemon TCG, Santa Cruz is releasing 30 Pokémon TCG-inspired decks that turn the most iconic card artworks from across the game's history into full-size boards, launching worldwide on October 17, 2026. The lineup includes 30 standard decks plus 3 chase variants, with only 500 of each chase deck produced. If 2023 taught us anything, set your alarms, and hope to snag a bling bag before its too late!