If you enjoy monster-collecting video games, you've likely heard of Palworld. Since its early access launch in 2024 for home consoles and PC, Palworld has become a global phenomenon with more than 35 million players across all of its playable platforms. The multiplayer game is an open-world survival crafting adventure where the player partners with creatures called "Pals" to create bases, solve puzzles, engage in combat with other players, and more.
In July 2026, Palworld saw two new major releases: the full release of the video game, and a new TCG based on the intellectual property. The TCG is produced by Bushiroad, who is known for publishing other popular TCGs including Cardfight!! Vanguard, Shadowverse: Evolve, and Weiss Schwarz. The game combines mechanics from the core video game series into a fast-paced, two-player trading card game that revolves around collecting resources to power up your Pals, with the aim of overtaking your opponent.
Players start with a 50-card deck made up of Pals, Gears, Events, and Structures. They also need a separate 10-card deck containing only Souls. Decks can only be made up of two colors, but colorless cards are not restricted. On each player's turn, they will use Souls as a currency system to play their other cards and perform actions, such as attacking the opponent, their opposing pals, or defending against attack. The game ends when a player's life points are reduced to zero.
Aside from players, collectors have expressed an interest in Palworld, which also offers rare cards meant for collecting rather than tournament play. Many Pal cards come in full-art variants called Parallels. Many of these parallels feature beautiful illustrations and foil treatments, and some of them sell for hundreds of dollars on the secondary market. One of the most expensive Palworld cards that can be pulled from booster packs is the coveted gold Soul (SSS), which features Cattiva on a solid gold background. The card is extremely hard to pull from packs. CGC has certified five of these Soul (SSS) cards, according to the CGC Cards Population Report.
Since July 2026, Palworld has released two core TCG sets: Dawn of Palpagos and Legends Awakened, with a third set to follow in January 2027. CGC has already certified more than 600 Palworld cards, with more being added to the CGC Cards Population Report every week. If you're collecting the Palworld TCG, consider sending your favorite cards to CGC for expert authentication, grading, and encapsulation services. CGC will make sure your cards are authentic and encapsulated in display-worthy holders. Go here to learn how to submit.
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, magazines, video games, and home media. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services. If you collect it, we grade and protect it.
CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs, and stamps.