Certain underrated cards from the Pokémon TCG can make a collection stand out. With roughly 9000 English cards and 7000 Japanese cards currently in circulation, there are more than enough oddities among these to impress even avid collectors. There are certain expected qualities of a card that catch the eye of a fellow Pokémon TCG collector: rarity, exceptional artwork, and fan-favorite Pokémon. But a true collection has even more unique cards than that.
Some Pokémon cards have an entire story behind them, something to tell onlookers to spice up the importance of the card. They may be ugly or off-the-wall, but they were only printed once and then forgotten by the community. Or, alternatively, they’re beautiful cards that got left behind due to being included in unpopular sets. These Pokémon cards can fetch a high price online or may rise in value in the coming years, but perhaps they’re better appreciated as shining jewels in someone’s personal collection.
Pokémon TCG - Greninja XY Break Point Card
The Break cards from the XY set Break Point are a unique mechanic in the Pokémon TCG: They’re cards that are placed horizontally over the first evolution to alter their HP and abilities. Their artwork features golden versions of Pokémon, as seen with this Greninja card. Although not all Pokémon look great in this aesthetic, Greninja’s art stands the test of time. Since Greninja is one of the most popular Pokémon, its Break card will draw the attention of any casual observer. The Break mechanic is retired, and so these Pokémon cards are likely to never get a reprint.
Pokémon TCG - Celebi & Venusaur GX Tag Team Alternate Art Sun & Moon Promos
The Tag Team cards introduced during the Sun and Moon era of the Pokémon TCG are very popular due to featuring two Pokémon on the same card in a unique interaction. This leads to some fantastic, personality-filled art, but it also means some of the less popular Tag Team cards get left behind.
That’s the case with this alternate art for the Celebi and Venesaur GX Tag Team card. Celebi seems to be descending from the heavens to visit upon Venesaur. Given Celebi’s popularity and the rumors of a Celebi sequel to Legends: Arceus, this Pokémon TCG card could grow in value over the next few years.
Pokémon TCG - Charmander Dragon Majesty Card
The Sun and Moon Dragon Majesty set seems to have been forgotten among all the other fantastic Holiday sets that the Pokémon TCG has released over the past few years: Generations, Shining Legends, and Hidden Fates. Yet being overshadowed has now made this set far rarer, and the cards with timeless artwork are sure to rise in value. Charmander is one such card: Charmander takes shelter under a large leaf, depicted in deep oil-colors. With cute, Ghibli-style artwork, this Pokémon card is sure to draw the affection of any fan.
Pokémon TCG - Rayquaza Nobunaga’s Ambition Promo Card
In 2012, a spin-off crossover game between Pokémon and a Japanese game called Nobunaga’s Ambition was released for the Nintendo DS. To commemorate the game, a Japanese-only Shiny Rayquaza promo card was released which features Nobunaga’s silhouette in the background. Shiny Legendary cards are always popular, but even more so in this case as Rayquaza is another fan-favorite Pokémon. Adding all of these factors together with the unique premise behind this promo card makes for an odd card that most collectors - especially outside of Japan - would have never seen before.
Pokémon TCG - Haunter “Vending Machine” Series 3 Sheet 3
The informally named “Vending Machine” series is a collection of Pokémon cards that were exclusively available from Japanese vending machines. The cards were arranged on so-called “Expansion Sheets” to randomize which card would be obtained. The cards are known for their unique artwork generated by winners of the 1997 CoroCoro Pokémon Illustration Contest.
While any of these cards would be worth the story, Haunter’s card from the third series of Vending Machine cards is a stand-out example of fan-made artwork that looks professional. It also depicts a cuter side of Haunter, versus the traditionally scary depiction of the Ghost-type Pokémon.
Pokémon TCG - Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND HG & SS Triumphant Cards
The LEGEND cards from HeartGold and SoulSilver are another unique concept much like the aforementioned Break cards. In this case, the LEGENDS cards featured Legendary Pokémon that, when paired up, form one massive double-card piece of art. Oddly, the brush-like artwork turned off fans of the Pokémon TCG and these cards were largely forgotten, but there are still many gems in this set. The Darkrai and Cresselia LEGEND cards pair up the Lunar Legendaries with great contrasting colors, making for a visually-appealing and one-of-a-kind design.
Pokémon TCG - Flareon EX Generations Radiant Collection Card
The Radiant Collection is a subset of the incredibly popular Generations Holiday Pack easily identified by its cutesy aesthetic. In reality, these Pokémon cards are English versions of a Japanese Pokémon TCG set, PokéKyun. However, there’s plenty to love about this set for everyone. In particular, the Flareon EX card is a must for any fans of the Eeveelutions, featuring all three of the Generation 1 Eeveelutions on one card adorably squished up together. Given that the Generations set is full of prized cards, buying one and hoping to pull some of these cute Radiant Collection cards is an easy purchase.
Pokémon TCG - Sky-Splitting Deoxys Movie Commemoration VS Pack for Destiny Deoxys
2004’s Destiny Deoxys is the 7th Pokémon film, featuring a full-force Deoxys vs. Rayquaza battle. Even though Deoxys is the star of the film, its appearance was overshadowed by the far more popular Rayquaza. As such, the Sky-Splitting Deoxys promo card handed out to moviegoers was left largely unappreciated.
But looking back, this is one of the most unique Pokémon cards out there. The image is lenticular, meaning that it changes when viewed from different angles. As one moves the card, Deoxys changes from Attack to Defense form. Along with the backstory and rarity, this makes the Sky-Splitting Deoxys card a great talking point for any Pokémon TCG collectors.
Pokémon TCG - Squirtle Card From McDonald’s Pokémon-e Minimum Pack
This Squirtle is another promo card, but it hasn’t been forgotten. This Squirtle fetches a high price due to its rarity: It was only ever released in Japanese booster packs that were handed out with McDonald’s orders. Additionally, every one of these McDonald's Pokémon cards is compatible with Nintendo’s eReader, a device that would scan cards to unlock bonus content in compatible games. But the real reason this Squirtle card is so prized is the incredibly odd Pokémon card artwork: It looks almost amateurish, but something about those large red eyes is captivating. As an example of non-standard Pokémon art, this Squirtle is an eye-catcher in any collection.
Pokémon TCG - Jirachi Vivid Voltage Card
This last Jirachi card has it all: Beautiful artwork, a fan-favorite Pokémon, amazing rare status and, at the moment, a low price-point. When the Vivid Voltage set first released in 2020, this Jirachi was the card every collector wanted to pull. But over time, its apparent abundance in the online market saw its price plummet, and its position was usurped by none other than Rayquaza, again stealing the spotlight from less-popular Legendaries. Regardless, Jirachi is still relatively popular and the artwork’s radial design is enjoyable to look at. Perhaps Jirachi will have its time in the sun again one day.
Only half the appeal of a Pokémon card is being rare: Knowing the story behind why the card is so hard to find makes the collection that much richer. Plenty of Pokémon cards are rare but well-known; to form an impressive collection means finding those cards which exemplify the collector’s personality and ignite their passion for the game, its marketing and its dedicated creators. The personal reasons for why a card is underrated demonstrate why collectors love the Pokémon TCG.