Not long after the franchise debuted in Japan in 1996, Pokmon established itself as one of the biggest brands in the world. The video game turned card game and anime has remained a cultural phenomenon for nearly three decades, and one little yellow mouse symbolizes all of it. Thats right, were talking about Pokmons beloved mascot, Pikachu.Everyone and their mother (probably great-great-grandmother, at this point) knows who Pikachu is. Hes the face of Pokmon, with thousands of pieces of merchandise immortalizing him in peoples homes. To celebrate the beloved mascot, were looking back at the 10 best Pikachu Pokmon cards, based on each cardsrarity, exceptional artwork, and/or monetary value.Base Set PikachuSometimes, its important to remember your roots. The one that started it all, the original Pikachu card from the Pokmon Base Set released in 1999 in the United States. If youre into Pokmon cards purely for monetary gain, this card means nothing to you. A mint condition Base Set Pikachu (not 1st edition or PSA-graded, mind you) costs less than the retail price of a modern booster pack. But sometimes, nostalgia trumps money; in this case, the memories of Pikachus first cardboard appearance win. The iconic artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita depicts the mouse Pokmon as slightly more rotund than his current-day appearance, but theres a certain charm to the mascots stubby little arms and pudgy cheeks.Often referred to as Happy Birthday Pikachu, this promotional card is unique in the pantheon of Pokmon lore, as players were encouraged to scribble their names on the card, which would certainly tank the resale value. The artwork by Kagemaru Himeno pictures Pika yearning for his birthday cake with a sparkly holographic aesthetic adding to the party theme. Additionally, the players birthday was incorporated into the cards lone attack as part of the TCG. The attack in question, called Birthday Surprise, reads, If its not your birthday, this attack does 30 damage. If it is your birthday, flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 damage plus 50 more damage; if tails, this attack does 30 damage. Were not sure how useful this ability was in competitive play back in 2000, but ______s Pikachu is a one-of-a-kind card, and its current market value aint half bad either.Released as a Black Star Promo by Wizards of the Coast, this Pikachu card came with Volume 1 of Pokmon Card Trainers magazine in Japan. It was later a promotional item in the Pokmon Leagues stateside. The artwork, a screenshot from the beloved Nintendo 64 title Pokmon Snap, sets this Pikachu card apart. Additionally, in the bottom left corner, the card reads, Photo. Gakuji Nomoto, instead of the usual indicator, Illus,' alluding to who drew the artwork. All of these contributing factors established this as one of the most unique Pikachu cards in existence.Surfing PikachuThe lore behind the famous lightning-type Pokmon catching a wave goes all the way back to Pokmon Yellow. Players could engage with Pikachus Beach, a minigame exclusive to that title. Since then, Pikachu has been depicted as a surfer dudemany times across all of Pokmon, including multiple other video games, the anime, and of course, the TCG. The original Surfing Pikachu card features glorious artwork of the mouse looking happy as can be while riding a wave. Fittingly, it also contains the attack Surf, although its weird seeing an iconic water-type move on a Pikachu card.Surfing Pikachu VMAXSurfing Pikachu wasnt a one-and-done gimmick for Pokmon. This iteration of the companys mascot shredding has returned many times throughout the years, including as a VMAX card 20 years after the original version. The card follows a very similar format to the original. The attack is once again water-type, this time Max Surfer doing at least a whopping 160 damage. However, this card truly shines through its artwork. As with all VMAX Pokmon, Pikachu is larger than life here. The funny thing is that his surfboard remains the same size, leaving the massive mouse riding on a board the size of one of his feet.Pikachu Star Holon PhantomsIf youre plugged into the Pokmon community in any way, whether through video games, anime, TCG, or Pokmon GO, you know the importance of shiny Pokmon. For those out of the loop, shiny Pokmon are essentially color swaps of pocket monsters that appear much less frequently. Trainers have been searching for them across many different platforms for years, and a shiny Pokmon in your collection can become a crowning jewel. The first time shiny Pikachu appeared in the TCG was in the 2006 Holon Phantoms expansion set as a Star card, which are now extremely expensive and rare cards themselves. While Pikachus alternative color palette looks similar to the original, that hasnt hurt the value of this card, making it one of the most highly sought-after Pikachu cards on the market.Collectibles have had a significant presence at San Diego Comic-Con for decades. The convention has been a source of reveals, early stock, and exclusive items for many of the more prominent brands in the industry, from LEGO to Funko. Pokmon threw their hat into the ring in 2005 with this exclusive Pikachu card, fittingly marked with the SDCC logo in the bottom right corner of the artwork. This Pikachu card is otherwise pretty basic, but the exclusivity of the product blasted off the price like Team Rocket.Collectors tend to love specific Pokmon cards due to their value, rarity, and/or because they pack a punch when playing the TCG. This Pikachu card offers none of those things. It simply made our list because the artwork is too darn adorable. Pikachu brought his friends to a picnic to enjoy some treats. Even the most jaded Pokmon collector cant ignore that. It helps that the other two Pokmon, Chespin and Sylvenon, are equally cute. Pokemon kicked off 2025 with a McDonalds Happy Meals release that sent the community (and resellers) into a frenzy. You see, the promotion bundled a pack of 4 exclusive Pokmon cards with the Happy Meals. While obviously targeting a younger audience, that didnt stop rampant scalping among collectors. A new Pikachu card was introduced in this promotion, featuring an illustration of the character running through the woods. Because of their limited availability, these McDonalds cards will only increase in value over time, making them a solid investment right now.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!In 2004, kids who were massive Pokmon fans received the opportunity of a lifetime: to have their own Pok-art immortalized on a card. This competition, a collaboration between Nintendo and the now-defunct network WB Kids, challenged kids to design cards for five popular Pokmon, including Mudkip, Treecko, Torchic, Wurmple, and, of course, Pikachu. One winner would be selected for each card, and the artists name would be printed on the card, which was deemed illegal in competitive tournament play. The winning Pikachu card has an undeniable sense of childlike wonder behind its artwork, with the electric mouse seemingly riding a shooting star. The card is also extremely rare now and might catch prices in the quadruple digits if found in good condition.