The second-to-lastPokémon TCGexpansion of 2023 delivers a real treat for millennials inScarlet and Violet151, revisiting the first 151 pocket monsters that kickstarted the franchise back in Generation 1. Boasting over 165 cards, including 12 Pokémon ex cards, 16 illustration rare, seven special illustration rare, 16 ultra rare full-art Pokémon, and three hyper rare gold etched cards, 151 is scheduled to release on Friday, June 24, 2025.
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It should be noted that within the Japanese booster packs, there were several rares to find with a Poké Ball pattern or a rare Master Ball pattern. However, these cards will not be included in the English set. Furthermore, the Snorlax, Mewtwo, and Mew Special Arts have been removed from the set to be turned into promos.
Not only does the 151 set include all the OG Pokémon, but the artwork is also inspired by their design from Generation 1. This rare Machamp doesn’t have a high price tag, but Millennial collectors will remember pulling this card in their first starter deck, and it deserves a mention on this list for the throwback.
Machamp offersa useful abilityin Guts that gives the player a 50/50 coin toss to save it from being knocked out. The Pokémon’s Mountain Chopping also deals 100 damage and lets you discard the top 2 cards of your opponent’s deck.
Raichu was another sought-after card within the first Base set that appeared as a foil or “shiny,” as they used to be called. This variant, however, does its own thing in the artwork, showing the electric mouse and the evolution of Pikachu in a leaning stance against the night sky.
Boasting an Electrical Grounding ability that allows lightning energy to move to one of your Pokémon, Raichu’s Thunder attack also deals 180 damage, and its popularity in this set will match its 90s debut and, therefore, deserves a mention.
Thanks to the release of Mewtwo Strikes Back and its mythic status in Generation 1, Mewtwo was always a joy to find, and the feat is likely to repeat in the 151 set. Despite its Special Art card being removed, this rare Mewtwo is one to watch out for and a must-have on this list.
With a cheap price, this Mewtwo boasts some colorful artwork that emphasizesits psychic power, and it’s a design that would look even more powerful on a full art, but we’ll take what we can get.
Succeeded by Mewtwo in Generation 1’s rarity was the enigmatic but utterly cute pink monster Mew, who makes a few appearances in this set as well. With its Special Art card being removed, this ex-entry is now the most eye-catching, and it’s a worthy card to bag in the low ranks.
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If the big, blue eyes don’t hook you, this ex card also has the Restart ability, allowing you to draw up to 3 cards. Additionally, Mew’s Genome Hacking allows you to choose one of your opponent’s active monster attacks and use it.
Moving on to the first full art card on this list is Psyduck, and the card offers a picturesque setting of the confused, yellow duck walking down a path of stairs clutching his head. It’s subtly designed but memorable enough to close the low ranks of this list.
Accompanying the scenery is the Overthink ability that allows you to call tails at any coin flip your opponent does. The Water Gun attack deals 10 damage and isn’t anything to write home about, but this card will look great in the collection.
Taking fifth place is another full art featuring the Machop evolution and Machamp predecessor, Machoke. This card also has a foil quality to it and is perhaps the busiest entry to appear on this list and a unique one for the collection worthy of fifth place.
The artwork depicts five Machoke helping their trainer move into a new house, and you may see the Pokémon helping to move boxes out of a truck and place different objects, like plants and lights, around the house. There’s also a surprise appearance from Meowth and Pidgey.
4Poliwhirl
If the previously mentioned Mewtwo rare had a full art card with the same artwork, the most colorful card award would have gone there, but Poliwhirl is a contestant offering a magical full art perfect for fourth place.
The water Pokémon can be seen standing next to a number of puddles as the rain lashes down, but the water also reflects the colorful lights bouncing off the surface. Poliwhirl may be far from its habitat, but there’s at least enough liquid to bewitch it and the collector.
3Squirtle + Wartortle + Blastoise
Sitting perfectly in third place is theoriginal starter Pokémonfor the water team, Squirtle, who’s just as cute and energetic as his first appearance in the Base set. However, we’ve linked three cards into third place because each full art acts as a continuation of the other.
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Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise can be seen at different stages swimming in the ocean, with Squirtle making it to the beach while looking back on Wartortle swimming in the reef, and lastly, Blastoise can be found in the deep sea.
2Bulbasaur + Ivysaur + Venusaur ex
Following the three-card entry, the first grass starter Pokémon is leading this trio, alongside its evolutions Ivysaur and Venusaur. The grass route may be the least popular for starters, but these cards are a worthy second place.
The first full art sees Bulbasaur nestled into a spread of foliage while taking a nap, and this scenery is extended onto Ivysaur’s card, who’s wandered out of the canopy slightly to visit a nearby pond. Lastly, Venusaur is in the heart of the forest, surrounded by a number of colorful flowers.
1Charmander + Charmeleon + Charizard ex
Taking first place is, of course, the fire starter trio, bringing Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard together in perhaps the most fluid artwork combined out of the three trios mentioned on this list and a stellar first-place entry.
Charmander’s card shows the starter placed within a canyon, looking up at his evolution, Charmeleon, who is perched on a higher shelf looking down. Lastly, Charizard can be seen flying above the canyon, and the continued artwork in this trio is the best in the set.
