When Surging Sparks released, it pulled me back into collecting after nearly 20 years away. As I’ve been relearning the hobby I loved back then, and love again now, I’ve started making beginner friendly videos to help new collectors find their footing and grow along the way.
A lot has changed over the last couple of decades, and even in the single year I’ve been back. But I also know I’ve missed some truly iconic cards. Cards that didn’t just look amazing, but actually changed how people collect, what they chase, or how the hobby thinks about “big hits.” From what I’ve seen, Moonbreon feels like one of those hobby defining cards.
I’d love your take: what are some of the most influential, game-changing, or “hobby-breaking” cards in the hobby and why?
I don’t think this question makes any sense, but I may just be being put off by your AI-generated post. Writing things yourself always helps get your ideas across better.
It’s not necessarily cards themselves that “change the hobby.” You can’t point to, for example, Rayquaza gold star and say that there was a fundamental shift in the hobby because of the card’s release. Truthfully there wasn’t, Pokemon was down during the EX era and pumping out arguably the greatest shiny cards didn’t change that. Usually it takes time before cards become recognized as iconic, and often that is because they represent particular eras of collecting or become seen as the chase cards of their time. It is hard to pin that down in the midst of the era itself.
Making a list of hobby changing cards doesn’t really make sense because it isn’t the cards release that change the hobby. It’s the wider popularity of Pokemon and the market itself that has been the biggest driver of change over the years, and you can’t pin that on specific cards.
Evolutions, Hidden Fates, Mario Pikachu, Scream Cards, 151 set, Grey Hat Pikachu. Basically highly popular cards/sets can bring people back into pokemon, especially if they touch popular pokemon or anything mainstream.
Can we name full sets? I’m going with Hidden Fates. I think that was the big trigger that brought Pokemon back from the ‘dark alley at the back of Walmart’ days and got people excited about Modern again. Would the Covid boom have been so big if people weren’t already very hyped about Hidden Fates? Who knows
I don’t know about changed the hahbee but Gold Star Rayquaza was a new experience. A highly desirable card that you couldn’t realistically ever hope to pull (or trade for because no-one had it) that never dropped below $100, which was an exorbitant amount at the time for something that you really shouldn’t spend any money on. In terms of being elusive, it was a new level.
I appreciate the insight! You mentioned that it takes time for cards to be recognized as iconic. That makes sense, especially in light of the EX era where the hobby wasn’t as big. So, what are some the most iconic cards in your opinion? Maybe a good question would be, “What card/cards best represent particular eras?”
I and many like me can think of cards/sets/art styles that resonate for any given number of reasons and circumstances. I personally really love learning about cards or sets with interesting stories, and I tend to dig cards that I think are iconic or significant–kind of like when I think of the criteria some mention for being considered for the American football sports Hall of Fame. “Can you tell the story of the NFL and not include this player?” Similarly, can you tell the story of the Pokemon TCG through the years and not include certain cards? Probably a smaller list, honestly, but a similar idea. I feel like it gives my collection a bit more meaning as a “Pokemon collection” I can show, display and discuss with others. Now, I can’t tell the story of the NFL without mentioning certain players who I do not like and would never want any of their faces in my collection. So it’s not a 1:1, but I’m more of a species collector–similar to collecting cards from certain teams I like–while abjectly avoiding others I just dislike–even if they are “iconic.”
That said, creating a distilled down list in one document or thread to me just feels too much like cheating in this area of targeting high “investment” grade cards that should continue appreciating in monetary value over time at a high rate. That may not be the intent, but it is how others can use it who know little about and have no interest in Pokemon beyond the monetary value. So for that reason I can’t participate in threads like this even though I enjoy reading them! The info you seek is all here, throughout the whole forum, and I can say that exploration of personal discovery is much more satisfying than making boiler plates. Plus I have no interest in helping strictly flipper bros. Not saying you are, far from it, but with the number of lurkers…yeah I just can’t contribute here beyond the lists I have already created
I love this perspective! Thanks for the thought out response. I didn’t even think about people seeking this kind of thing for just the monetary value. Definitely not my intent. I love the reference to the NFL hall of fame. That is an interesting take on telling the story of some cards! What I also like about it, you can certainly make your own hall of fame for your set and have cards that nobody cares about in it, just ones that have stories for you. For example, a card that is only like $10 that i have been chasing for the past year is the Wailord IR from JT. I love the card, I love the sea, and I love the artwork. I have already bought the card, but would love to have that feeling of pulling it myself. Long story short, it is one of my Hall of Fame cards that nobody cares about. I currently have it displayed on my desk.
I also have no interest in helping flipper bros. They can do what they want i suppose, but i feel that some amazing cards and artworks get overlooked entirely because of people only looking at $$. The cubone from JTG (yes, JTG is one of my favorite sets) has insane art work in my opinion! I love it.
All that said, I really appreciate your approach, and I definitely take this into consideration for my own content. I want people to enjoy the hobby for what it is, not just for the potential money. For another football reference, I am a Clemson fan and have been my whole life. I was a fan when they were 6-6 consistently and was still a fan when they won two national titles. I am still currently a fan now that they seem to suck again. I love Clemson football because of the stories I have with friends and family and the good times I have had as a fan. I want people to enjoy this hobby in the same way. Not just be a bandwagon collector. It is okay to get interested in a team during their incredible run, but make sure that interest is not just based on the success, but on the traditions and fun stories that go with it, so you remain a fan when they no longer are on top. Same with Pokemon.
Promotional Cards from back in the day both english and japanese have taken a turn around. Even more recent ones. I remember when people thought most of them as easy to obtain , so many printed, they will always be available. I think those cards as a group have changed the hobby with how we see them now.
I remember watching your video on YT about 8 years back saying how it’s a great investment. Boxes were about £50 / $60 on eBay at the time and I remember being sat in my college car park and didn’t pull the trigger.
Thankfully didn’t let it happen for the Scream promos but a lesson learnt for sure.
