A dedicated fan of the Pokémon Trading Card Game recently took to the community to share an unforgettable moment from the Scarlet and Violet 151 expansion. After two decades away from the hobby, they opened their first booster pack and scored a rare Venusaur ex card. Since its late ’90s debut, the Pokémon TCG has undergone many changes, handing over licensing from Wizards of the Coast to The Pokémon Company in 2003. Just like this fan, many collectors occasionally take breaks, only to be drawn back by nostalgia and exciting new expansions that keep coming.
The game has only grown in popularity, and 2024 marked the launch of Pokémon TCG: Pocket, offering a digital twist to traditional card collecting. This platform allows enthusiasts to open virtual packs with in-game items, eliminating the need for physical storage. Pokémon TCG: Pocket also spiced things up with a special Venusaur drop event, enticing players with solo battles to claim a full-art Venusaur variant as their prize.
JWS5th, a Reddit user, shared their thrilling experience of pulling the Venusaur ex card on the Pokémon TCG subreddit. This was part of their journey back into the collecting world, inspired by the release of a set featuring the beloved original 151 Pokémon. Their break from the hobby mirrored another fan who, upon purchasing what might have been the last Scarlet and Violet 151 box available at a local store, had a similarly exhilarating experience. The returning fan was particularly struck by the improvement in card artwork over the years.
While the Charizard cards typically steal the spotlight in the Scarlet and Violet 151 set, Redditors couldn’t help but admire the stunning artwork on the Venusaur card. Pokémon fans have revisited and reimagined Venusaur and its evolutionary line time and again, but the full-art design by Yoriyuki Ikegami stood out as a visually captivating display. Many enthusiasts echoed their nostalgia for the 151 expansion, citing it as a key factor in reigniting their passion for collecting.
As 2024 rounds off with the Scarlet and Violet Surging Sparks expansion, collectors have plenty to keep them engaged. This set, inspired by the Terarium structure from the game’s Indigo Disk DLC, features exciting Stellar Tera Pokémon from Generation 9. Plus, it introduces fresh card mechanics like Ace Specs and intricate combos. Looking ahead to 2025, fans can anticipate the Scarlet and Violet Prismatic Evolutions launch, slated to hit the shelves on January 17.
For anyone submerged in the captivating Pokémon universe—spanning games, TV shows, films, and more—the trading card game remains a cherished avenue for both new and seasoned collectors alike.
