We Ranked the 10 Best First Partner Pokémon TCG Cards of All Time

As Pokémon's 30th anniversary approaches, the nostalgic spirit of their First Partner Pokémon cards is reigniting. These cards, released initially with the original starter Pokémon, have taken the tabletop world by storm. We've compiled a list of the top 10 First Partner Pokémon cards of all time, ranked by their artwork, affordability, and impact on the community.

10. Primarina - ME05: Pitch Black #088/084. This stunning card features a golden sun and beachy vibe, encapsulating Alola's siren starter in a spotlight-worthy performance. It's affordably priced at $4.49 on TCGplayer.

9. Mudkip - ME: Mega Evolution Promo #057. This adorable promo card, created by Saboteri, captures Mudkip's cuteness with subtle Gen 3 lore details in the background. It currently sits at around $20.56 on TCGplayer.

8. Charizard (Base Set #4/102). As the holy grail of Pokémon TCG, Mitsuhiro Arita's Base Set Charizard sparked the hobby and remains a symbol of nostalgia. The 30th Anniversary reprints make owning a piece of history more accessible, with a market value of around $1,160 for raw copies.

7. Piplup (Secret) - SM - Cosmic Eclipse (SM12). Before Trainer Gallery cards became common, Cosmic Eclipse introduced us to Dawn and Piplup in this adorable SIR. Tomomi Kaneko's artwork highlights the duo at Canalave City docks. Its legendary status among Gen 4 fans makes it worth around $88.24 on TCGplayer.

6. Venusaur & Snivy-GX - SM Promos #SM229. Illustrated by Yuka Morii, this clay tag team showcases Morii's physical clay sculptures and outdoor dioramas. Currently priced at $146.63 on TCGplayer, it's a must-have for collectors.

5. Scorbunny - ME: Ascended Heroes #225/217. Yuu Nishida's Galar First Partner card captures Scorbunny resting on a bed of leaves. Priced at just $9.26 on TCGplayer, it's an affordable option.

4. Tepig - SV: White Flare #096/086. Orca's warm and golden lighting in this cozy card shows Tepig warming its belly in autumn leaves. Available on TCGplayer for around $52.50, it's cozy charm at its finest.

3. Torchic Star - EX Team Rocket Returns #108/109. Masakazu Fukuda's artwork breaks out of the frame, making this card a standout in Generation 3. Due to its rarity, copies average a staggering $4,500.00 on LimitlessTCG.

2. Pikachu ex - ME: Ascended Heroes #276/217. Arguably our very first First Partner, Pikachu from Pokémon Yellow deserves a spot on this list. Its USUMON's ultra-high-contrast, electric-charged art style commands a heavy $935.99 market price on TCGplayer.

1. Greninja ex - ME: 30th Celebration. GIDORA's artistic brilliance shines through in this card, which pays homage to Greninja with a playful street-style vibe and hidden Eevee and Lucario in the background. This card is a celebration of the 30th Anniversary and is currently priced at $935.99 on TCGplayer.