Neither card is objectively “better”—the answer depends on your investment strategy and timeline. Squirtle currently commands higher value at $81.23 compared to Bulbasaur’s $59.04, making it the stronger near-term position if you’re looking for immediate market recognition. However, Bulbasaur, as the most affordable of the three starter Illustration Rares, is positioned for greater upside potential if demand continues growing through 2026 and beyond.
The choice boils down to whether you want current market strength or future appreciation potential. Both cards have proven themselves as legitimate investment vehicles during a period when most modern Pokémon singles declined 20-30%. For investors focused on long-term growth, Bulbasaur’s lower entry point combined with sustained nostalgia demand makes it an attractive alternative to Squirtle’s already-premium pricing. For collectors with capital to deploy, Squirtle’s momentum and proximity to Charmander’s higher valuation suggest it’s catching momentum in the starter ecosystem.
Table of Contents
- How Do Current Market Prices Compare Between Bulbasaur and Squirtle?
- What Do Recent Investment Performance Trends Tell Us About These Cards?
- Why Does Character Appeal Matter More Than Technical Rarity?
- Which Card Fits Your Investment Strategy Better?
- What Are the Liquidity and Sellability Risks?
- How Do These Cards Perform as Long-Term Holdings?
- What Does the 2026-2027 Outlook Look Like for These Starter Illustration Rares?
- Conclusion
How Do Current Market Prices Compare Between Bulbasaur and Squirtle?
The market has spoken decisively on Squirtle’s current appeal. At $81.23 for the Illustration Rare #170, Squirtle commands a 37.5% premium over bulbasaur Illustration Rare #166, which trades at $59.04. This gap isn’t arbitrary—it reflects both stronger collector demand and the card’s position as the second-most valuable starter, closing in on Charmander’s higher tier. For investors buying today, you’re paying more upfront with Squirtle, but you’re also buying a card with demonstrable market traction and volume. Bulbasaur’s lower price point presents a different opportunity. At $59.04, the entry cost is lower, and the risk-to-reward ratio shifts more favorably toward appreciation.
Historical pricing data from the March 2026 pokémon 151 price guide shows both cards have benefited from the 30th anniversary nostalgia cycle, but Squirtle has benefited more aggressively. This means Bulbasaur still has runway—there’s a clear path for it to move closer to Squirtle’s valuation if market interest expands. One limitation worth noting: higher current prices don’t guarantee future appreciation. Squirtle’s premium could represent peak demand, with limited room for growth. Conversely, Bulbasaur could remain undervalued indefinitely if collector preference genuinely favors water-types over grass-types. Market prices reflect current sentiment, not future certainty.
What Do Recent Investment Performance Trends Tell Us About These Cards?
Both Bulbasaur and Squirtle demonstrated remarkable counter-cyclical strength during late 2025 and early 2026, when most modern Pokémon singles experienced sharp declines of 20-30%. This isn’t typical behavior for newer release cards, and it signals something important: these Illustration Rares are trading more like vintage cards than modern bulk. The January 2026 price increases across both cards indicate sustained collector demand despite broader market softness, which is exactly what you want to see in an investment-grade card. The broader context matters here. Squirtle’s price momentum is partly driven by investor recognition that Charmander (the most expensive starter Illustration Rare) may have peaked, creating a natural overflow of capital into Squirtle as a more affordable alternative.
This dynamic has pushed Squirtle up to $81.23, placing it within striking distance of Charmander’s valuation. Bulbasaur, however, hasn’t benefited from the same overflow effect yet—suggesting there’s still an untapped audience of investors who simply haven’t recognized its investment potential. A warning here: counter-cyclical performance can reverse quickly. These cards performed well when the broader market was down, but if the overall Pokémon card market enters a true bear market, even these star performers could decline. The nostalgia cycle driving 2026 appreciation is real, but it’s not permanent. Past performance in a particular market environment doesn’t guarantee future results, especially for cards dependent on emotional attachment rather than scarcity.
Why Does Character Appeal Matter More Than Technical Rarity?
Character appeal is the true driver of long-term value for these starter Illustration Rares, and it explains why the market values them differently. Squirtle’s premium reflects genuine collector preference—the character has stronger brand recognition for casual players, broader cultural appeal, and years of multimedia exposure beyond just the cards. This emotional connection translates directly into demand, and demand translates into price. Bulbasaur hasn’t been neglected, but it occupies a smaller space in the broader Pokémon cultural consciousness. This is where the Pokémon 30th anniversary cycle becomes critical to your investment decision.
The anniversary is driving nostalgia-based appreciation across the entire category, benefiting all three starters but disproportionately favoring Squirtle and Charmander, which have stronger cultural footprints. Bulbasaur benefits from the rising tide, but not as much as its starter peers. For 2026, anniversary momentum should continue supporting both cards, but the tailwind may be stronger for Squirtle simply because more collectors have an emotional connection to it. The limitation here is that character appeal is subjective and unpredictable. A new Pokémon anime season, a popular Bulbasaur-focused game release, or a major YouTube content creator’s endorsement could shift preferences overnight, pumping Bulbasaur’s demand and collapsing Squirtle’s advantage. You’re betting on future sentiment when you invest in any character-driven card, not on objective scarcity or mechanical rarity.
Which Card Fits Your Investment Strategy Better?
If you have limited capital and are looking to maximize appreciation upside, Bulbasaur is the smarter choice. At $59.04, it’s the cheapest entry point among the three starters, and if demand continues growing in the back half of 2026 and into 2027, the card has clear room to move toward Squirtle’s current valuation or beyond. The lower purchase price also means lower risk—a 20% decline hurts less when you’re starting from $59 versus $81. For investors playing a long-game bet on the starter ecosystem, Bulbasaur offers the best risk-adjusted return potential. If you want current market momentum and are willing to pay a premium for a card already demonstrating investor traction, Squirtle is the better immediate choice. At $81.23, you’re buying a card that’s already proven its investment credentials through recent price increases and strong demand fundamentals.
You’re also buying closer to where the market consensus sits, which means higher liquidity and easier exits if you need to sell. For investors with larger capital bases or those focused on 12-24 month holding periods, Squirtle’s upside may be more limited, but its downside risk is also better-defined. A practical consideration: don’t treat this as a binary choice. Many serious collectors and investors hold both cards in different quantities. You might allocate 60% to Bulbasaur (higher upside potential) and 40% to Squirtle (current momentum hedge). This approach captures the stability of Squirtle’s proven demand while maintaining exposure to Bulbasaur’s appreciation runway.
What Are the Liquidity and Sellability Risks?
Liquidity is where Squirtle’s higher price becomes an advantage, despite its lower upside potential. Because more collectors recognize Squirtle’s value and more investors hold it, you’ll find a deeper buyer base and faster exit opportunities if you need to liquidate. Higher trading volume means tighter bid-ask spreads and less slippage when converting the card back to cash. This matters more than it sounds—if you ever need to exit your position quickly, Squirtle will be easier to move at fair market value. Bulbasaur’s liquidity is still solid for a Pokémon Illustration Rare, but it’s measurably thinner than Squirtle’s. This creates a hidden cost: if you ever need to sell, you might face wider spreads or slightly lower realized prices than the listed market rate.
Over a 2-3 year holding period, this isn’t catastrophic, but it’s a real friction point that cuts into returns. The card’s lower profile also means fewer collectors are actively searching for it, which reduces bidding competition in auctions or sales platforms. Here’s the warning: never invest capital in Bulbasaur that you might need to access quickly. The card works best as a 3-5 year hold, where you have time to find the right buyer and capitalize on appreciation. Squirtle, by contrast, can be liquidated on a 12-month timeline without much slippage. Your holding period and liquidity needs should directly influence which card you prioritize.
How Do These Cards Perform as Long-Term Holdings?
Both cards show strong investment potential as 3-5 year holds, but for different reasons. Squirtle benefits from its position as the second-most valuable starter—it’s already “proven,” and collectors seeking exposure to the starter Illustration Rares often choose between Squirtle and Bulbasaur as more affordable alternatives to Charmander. This steady demand creates a floor for Squirtle’s valuation. Over the next 2-3 years, don’t expect explosive growth, but expect steady appreciation as demand outpaces supply. Bulbasaur’s long-term case is more speculative but potentially more rewarding.
The card currently trades at a discount relative to its character’s nostalgic appeal, suggesting it’s undervalued. If the broader Pokémon collecting market matures and grows, or if Bulbasaur’s character appeal strengthens through new media exposure, the card could realistically move toward parity with Squirtle or beyond. For investors with a 4-5 year horizon, Bulbasaur offers the chance to buy early before broader market recognition catches up. A concrete example: imagine Bulbasaur reaches $75 in three years while Squirtle reaches $95. An investor who bought Bulbasaur at $59 realizes a 27% gain; an investor who bought Squirtle at $81 realizes a 17% gain. The lower starting price compounds significantly over longer timelines, even if Squirtle’s absolute price climbs higher.
What Does the 2026-2027 Outlook Look Like for These Starter Illustration Rares?
The Pokémon 30th anniversary momentum is a tailwind you can count on through the end of 2026 and into early 2027. Both cards should benefit from continued nostalgia-driven demand, particularly among collectors seeking to recapture the feeling of the original Pokémon Red and Blue games. The anniversary effects are already showing in the January 2026 price increases documented in recent market guides, and that cycle should extend through the year. For both Bulbasaur and Squirtle, this means baseline support for valuations.
Looking beyond the immediate anniversary window, the real question is whether these cards transition from anniversary beneficiaries into “permanent” staple investments. Squirtle’s higher current value suggests the market already believes it will maintain appeal beyond 2026. Bulbasaur’s lower price reflects more uncertainty about its long-term staying power, but also more upside if that uncertainty resolves favorably. In either case, both cards have built-in advantages over non-starter Illustration Rares—they represent the most iconic creatures from the franchise’s origins, and that doesn’t fade.
Conclusion
Bulbasaur is the better investment if you prioritize upside potential and have a multi-year holding horizon. At $59.04, it offers a lower entry point, greater appreciation runway, and compelling value relative to Squirtle’s $81.23 asking price. The card’s lower profile actually works in your favor as an early investor—you’re positioned to benefit when broader market recognition eventually catches up. For capital-efficient investing focused on maximum returns, Bulbasaur is the higher-conviction choice.
Squirtle remains the better choice if you want current market momentum, easier liquidity, and reduced speculative risk. You’re paying more upfront, but you’re also buying a card with proven demand and demonstrated investor traction. The right strategy depends on your timeline, available capital, and risk tolerance. Many successful Pokémon investors hold both cards, allocating larger positions to Bulbasaur for growth while maintaining Squirtle for stability and liquidity. Start with the card that aligns with your specific goals—and don’t overlook Bulbasaur’s potential just because Squirtle is currently more expensive.
