The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) was first released in Japan on Oct. 20, 1996, about half a year after the first Pokémon video games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green, were released. About two years later, in January 1999, the Pokémon TCG hit American shelves. Back in the late 90s and early-2000s, Pokémon TCG was a hobby for children, primarily kids who were a fan of the Pokémon video games and anime.
Over the years, the trading card game has become a much larger hobby, not just for children but for adult collectors who never fell out of love with Pokémon. Today, fans dedicate entire social media accounts just to ripping card packs and searching for their next big find. Thanks to Pokémon TCG’s continued success, The Pokémon Company has released dozens of TCG expansion packs, some more valuable and sought-after than others. This list will cover some of the best expansion packs ever released.
10
Prismatic Evolutions is the Newest Expansion to Appear On This List
Released in Jan. 2025
Including Prismatic Evolutions on this list might be a controversial addition because of how new it is, but its popularity speaks for itself. Many avid collectors have had a difficult time getting their hands on Prismatic Evolution packs because they’re in such high demand. This pack features Eevee and all of Eevee’s evolutions as the main chase cards.
- The Prismatic Evolutions Super-Premium Collection will be released on May 16, 2025.
- Some stores have already opened preorders for this collection.
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The Super-Premium Collection includes:
- 65 Card Sleeves featuring Eevee and its evolutions
- 15 Prismatic Evolutions Booster Packs
- Full Art Foil Promo Card featuring Eevee ex
- Eevee Deck Box
- Playmat featuring Eevee and its evolutions
Prismatic Evolutions is easily one of the most valuable modern TCG sets out there. While other popular sets might have one or two valuable cards, Prismatic Evolutions currently has more than 15 chase cards, all worth over 100 dollars. All the Eeveelution Special Illustration Rares (SIR) are worth at least $200. The most valuable card in the set is currently Umbreon ex, with a TCGPlayer.com market price of $1,535.50 and a PSA 10 value of over $3,000.
9
X&Y Evolutions Held a Lot of Nostalgic Appeal
Released in November 2016
X&Y Evolutions is the final main expansion of Pokémon TCG’s XY Series. This expansion came out around Pokémon’s 20th anniversary, so Evolutions did something that no one saw coming. Instead of focusing on new card designs that feature impressive full-art cards and flashy artwork, The Pokémon Company decided to release reprints of vintage Pokémon cards.
- X&Y Evolutions is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green.
- The set does feature some new releases, mostly in the form of Mega Evolutions.
- That said, this expansion mostly focuses on reprints of classic cards.
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Evolutions features a set of reprints from Pokémon’s original card set. While risky, it ultimately paid off because it played on nostalgia. Many adult collectors still love Pokémon because they fell in love with the franchise as children. Evolutions gave them a chance to revisit their childhood and maybe even collect some rare cards they could never get in their youth.
8
Generations Also Celebrated Pokémon’s 20th Anniversary
Released in February 2016
Generations is also part of the XY Series, proving that the XY Series was a high point in Pokémon TCG’s history. This expansion also focused on bringing about a nostalgic flair by mostly focusing on original Pokémon in celebration of Pokémon’s 20th anniversary. It features over 110 cards that range from starter Pokémon fans know and love to more niche picks. This set turned out to be extremely exclusive, which drove interest up. It was also the first expansion in quite a while to heavily feature Generation 1 Pokémon, so it became an instant classic.
Some Popular Cards Found in Generations:
- Pikachu
- Snorlax
- Ninetales-EX
- Jolteon-EX
- Mega Charizard-EX
- Mega Blastoise-EX
- Mega Venusaur-EX
7
Skyridge Changed Up the Overall Look of Pokémon Cards
Released in May 2003
Skyridge is one of the most valuable Pokémon expansions of all time. The current TCGPlayer market price for an unopened pack currently sits at $1,500. This set is easily recognizable thanks to the unique shape of the artwork. Instead of the classic rectangle where a Pokémon sits, Skyridge featured rounded corners on the left side, which almost seemed to bubble the Pokémon in.
Popular Skyridge Cards:
- Celebi
- Charizard
- Crobat
- Golem
- Ho-Oh
- Kabutops
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Skyridge only received a single print, so Skyridge packs and cards are extremely rare, making the value of this set unbelievably high. Fans also praised Skyridge for its incredible and striking artwork, making cards like Charizard and Ho-oh highly desirable. Skyridge was also the final Pokémon set released by Wizards of the Coast.
6
Team Rocket Highlighted a Darker Side of Pokémon
Released in April 2000
The Team Rocket expansion was the first booster pack to feature “Dark Pokémon” and we aren’t talking about dark-type Pokémon. This set featured cards like “Dark Charizard” and “Dark Dragonite,” symbolizing that these Pokémon were supposed to belong to Team Rocket. Since these Pokémon were trained by members of Team Rocket, they helped in Team Rocket’s never-ending schemes, making them less than moral.
While the initial purpose of this set seemed like a nostalgia play, the cards are actually incredibly cool. They feature unique artwork that gives each Dark Pokémon a mysterious and sinister edge. This reminds players that a Pokémon’s trainer, whether they’re good or evil, will always have a huge impact on how the Pokémon turns out.
5
FireRed & LeafGreen Feature Some of the Most Popular Pokémon of All Time
Released in September 2004
Like many expansions on this list, FireRed & LeafGreen feature Gen 1 Pokémon. The Pokémon Company has always favored Gen 1. It is what started the Pokémon craze, after all, and many Pokémon fans are still obsessed with the original generation. Many fans, especially adult fans, grew up on the original generation, so it makes sense that they’re still some of the most nostalgic and popular.
- FireRed & LeafGreen include 112 cards.
- It is part of the EX Series.
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This set is best known for its incredible holographic ex cards like Charizard ex and Gengar ex. Many players agree that the Gengar ex from this expansion is one of the best Gengar cards ever printed, not just for its looks but its in-game value. FireRed & LeafGreen also feature several sought-after legendary Pokémon, so this is a great set for any collector.
4
Scarlet & Violet 151 Modernizes Gen 1
Released in September 2023
Scarlet & Violet 151 is one of the more modern sets to appear on this list, but it deserves the placement because it’s still an extremely popular set, even now. Scarlet & Violet 151 once again shifts its focus to Pokémon’s first generation, giving collectors another chance to complete the original Pokédex. This expansion focuses on cards that look new, though. They aren’t reprints or recreations; they’re getting the same treatment as most modern packs, with beautiful, full-art cards and crisp, clean artwork that looks fresh and exciting. Pokémon fans have never seen the original generation like this before.
According to Pokémon.com, This Expansion Includes:
- Over 160 cards
- 12 new Pokémon ex
- All 151 Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region—in Pokédex order
- More than 10 Trainer cards
- Illustrations featuring a single artist capturing an entire Evolution chain
3
Neo Genesis Contains Some of the Most Iconic Cards in the Game
Released in December 2000
Neo Genesis features 60 Pokémon from Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver. One of the most identifiable cards in this entire set is the holographic Lugia, which pictures Lugia flying down from above, surrounded by a beautiful, shimmery holofoil that Neo Genesis became iconic for. This expansion also included two new energy types, Dark and Metal, which had never been seen in Pokémon cards before.
- Neo Genesis features 111 cards in the English version.
- It is the first expansion in the Neo Series.
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Neo Genesis was the first expansion to feature Johto region Pokémon. The art style for the cards also takes inspiration from Japan’s Neo Era, hence the title of the expansion. In addition to Dark and Metal energy types, this set also introduced Pokémon Tools and baby Pokémon.
2
Evolving Skies has Some Harsh Drop Rates, But Some of the Best Modern Cards
Released in August 2021
Evolving Skies is one of the most popular modern Pokémon expansions out there, thanks to its beautiful art and colorful array of Pokémon. Sadly, Evolving Skies is known for having some extremely brutal drop rates. Pulling a hit out of a pack is more painful than pulling teeth for an avid collector. Some fans even started calling the pack “Evolving Cries” because the pull rate is so low.
- Evolving Skies is part of the Sword & Shield Series.
- This expansion contains over 200 cards.
- It contains 18 Pokémon V and 15 Pokémon VMAX cards.
Despite how atrocious pulling a hit from this expansion is, it’s still one of the most beloved and sought-after expansions of the last five years. Evolving Skies is probably best known for its V and VMAX Eeveelutions, including the incredibly rare and valuable “Moonbreon,” which currently has a TCGPlayer market price of $1,467.33.
1
Nothing Really Compares to Pokémon’s Base Set
Released in Japan in October 1996 & America in January 1999
There have been tens of thousands of unique Pokémon cards printed since the TCG started in 1996, but none of that would have been possible without the success of the base set. Today, cards from the original Pokémon set are some of the most valuable cards in the world. Even unopened booster packs sell for thousands of dollars.
Some of the Most Memorable Base Set Chase Cards:
- Charizard (of course)
- Mewtwo
- Alakazam
Part of the value comes from their age and exclusivity. Plenty of original collectors actually used the cards to play the game, which makes finding original cards in mint condition extremely hard. The original Pokémon set didn’t just help define Pokémon’s future, it shook up the TCG market entirely. Even now, the base set is one of the most valuable card collections in all of TCG history.
- Original Release Date
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October 20, 1996
- Publisher
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Wizards of the Coast
- Player Count
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2
