The trading card/video game system includes a conventional video game control system for a selected video game involving a number of different characters. The video game control system controls a monitor/screen for displaying the playing of the game. Trading cards are selected by the individual players for playing of the game. Each trading card is a character having selected characteristics and abilities, or a specialty card which affects the characters in the game or the conditions of the game, including the rules. The individual selected trading cards are scanned and the information associated with the trading cards is downloaded from a website database to which the system is connected via the internet to the software control system portion of the system. The website has a number of capabilities with respect to the individual trading cards, including verification of authenticity and ownership of the cards and a capability of assisting in the trading, temporary use, sale or acquisition of trading cards.