30 Years of Pokémon TCG Evolution

• 

  1999

  Charizard

  Base Set

  Charizard’s Fire Spin attack was the highest-damage attack in the entire Base Set expansion, setting a trend for Charizard’s frequently massive damage output in the Pokémon TCG.

• 

  2000

  Erika’s Jigglypuff

  Gym Challenge

  Trainers never pulled their punches while battling with Erika’s Jigglypuff. Attach a Double Colorless Energy and play a few PlusPower, and you could KO most Basic Pokémon in the game. This adorable Jigglypuff was one of the first Trainer’s Pokémon, a kind of card that originally appeared in the Gym Heroes expansion.

• 

  2005

  Scizor ex

  EX Unseen Forces

  You might be familiar with modern Pokémon ex, but this kind of card first debuted in 2003 as part of the EX Series. Scizor ex was unique because it was one of the only Pokémon ex that could evolve from two different Pokémon—Scyther or Scyther ex.

• 

  2011

  N

  Black & White—Noble Victories

  Supporter cards continue to boast powerful effects, but N remains one of the most memorable comeback cards of all time. Not only that, but this ultra rare version from the Black & White—Noble Victories expansion was the first-ever full-art Supporter card.

• 

  2016

  Greninja BREAK

  XY—BREAKpoint

  Pokémon BREAK were a unique kind of card that evolved from otherwise fully evolved Pokémon, allowing them to use all the attacks and Abilities of the Pokémon they evolved from. Greninja BREAK had the powerful Giant Water Shuriken Ability, and it saw true success when paired with Greninja from the XY—BREAKpoint expansion, which had the ever-popular Shadow Stitching attack.

• 

  2019

  Pikachu & Zekrom-GX

  Sun & Moon—Team Up

  Two words: big Basic. TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX were the first-ever Pokémon cards to yield three Prize cards after being Knocked Out. High HP, powerful attacks, and fantastic illustrations featuring dynamic duos made cards like Pikachu & Zekrom-GX especially popular. Using Tag Bolt-GX to take six Prize cards in one turn was one of the coolest feelings of the era.

• 

  2023

  Magikarp

  Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved

  Illustration rare cards debuted in the Scarlet & Violet expansion, and they’ve been fan favorites ever since. Shinji Kanda’s detailed illustration of Magikarp pushing past the trial of a waterfall is everything fans want and more. Did you notice Gyarados is in the artwork too?

• 

  2026

  Mew ex

  30th Celebration

  The future is now, Trainers! Futuristic rare cards are taking the Pokémon TCG to the next level with bold colors and illustrations from the artist YOSHIROTTEN!