Pokémon Base Set cards, the originals from 1999 like the iconic Charizard holographic, hold their value steady even when newer card prices tumble. This resistance comes from a mix of rarity, nostalgia, and proven collector demand that keeps them afloat during market dips.
Newer sets like Mega Evolution, released in September 2025, show quick drops right after launch. For example, Mega Lucario ex Mega Hyper Rare fell almost $140 to $470.26 by November 2025, and Mega Gardevoir ex Mega Hyper Rare dropped similarly to $362.82. Videos tracking weekly swings note booster boxes for these sets rebounding slightly but still sitting high after lows like $364, while other products like Pokémon 151 ETB dipped from $410 to $382. These patterns are common as hype fades and stronger themed sets arrive, causing base set prices for new eras to crash faster.
Base Set stands apart because it kicked off the entire Pokémon TCG craze under Wizards of the Coast. Only 125 copies of the 1st Edition Charizard #4 have ever hit PSA Gem Mint 10 grade, and one sold for $550,000 at Heritage Auctions in December 2025. That kind of elite status drives endless searches on platforms like eBay, where Pokémon topped 2025 trends. Market updates highlight how even promo packs tied to early blister packs fetch $475 recently, with asking prices around $250 reflecting sustained interest.
Nostalgia fuels this too. Buyers span kids playing the game, adults reliving childhood, and investors eyeing long-term holds. SaleHoo trends show Pokémon cards with 126.2% growth over 24 months, peaking in December due to gifting, in a $10 to $80 sweet spot for easy entry. Unlike modern cards like the red Victini monochrome down $30 to $40 or Umbreon ex at $1,119 but volatile, Base Set icons like Charizard avoid sharp pullbacks. Spikes in older chase cards, such as Charizard VMAX up from $168 to $182, echo this but pale next to Base Set’s floor.
Limited supply plays a huge role. Early print runs mean fewer high-grade survivors, creating scarcity that new sets lack early on. Community chatter in price update videos points out how Base Set weathers dips better than enhanced booster boxes falling from $320 to $250. Strong secondary markets and broad appeal keep demand humming, resisting the quick corrections hitting fresh releases.
Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vqVyooVFO4&vl=en
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKfXJ2YanwI
https://www.salehoo.com/trends/pokemon-cards
https://bleedingcool.com/games/pokemon-tcg-value-watch-mega-evolution-in-november-2025/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J3c0diDsQQ
https://www.antiquetrader.com/pokemon-reigns-supreme-ebays-2025-search-trends
https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-10-most-expensive-pokemon-cards-of-2025
https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/article/The-Biggest-Price-Spikes-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-this-Week-12-16-2025/84864c70-24a0-4497-95fd-4152714acd72/
