One of the aspects that draws even the most casual fans of trading card games in is the wonderful art that depicts what the card is and does. Pokemon continues its tradition of having some of the best card art in the business thanks to the launch of Pokemon Pocket.
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With Genetic Apex, it was clear the digital TCG was going to get just as much love and attention as the physical game. So, with both original art and borrowed illustrations from the tabletop Pokemon, which is the best of the best within the Mewtwo, Charizard, and Pikachu Genetic Apex sets?
This list is purely based on the art of the cards. Rarity and strength were not considered.
10
Pikachu
Rarity: One Diamond
The ranking of this card on the list might be controversial, but I think many Pokemon Pocket players can agree that this card deserves a spot on the list. It could be that looking through the lens of nostalgia glasses makes this art seem better than it is, but you just can’t knock the classics, and this Pikachu card art is a classic.
Many are far more familiar now with the skinnier version of Pikachu that pals around with Ash, but originally, Pikachu had more curved lines to them. It’s a reminder that Pokemon designs have changed over time, but the Pokemon themselves haven’t. That cute expression, the lightning bolt tail. Pikachu has been loved the same as the first day fans laid eyes on them, no matter what changes they’ve undergone.
9
Squirtle
Rarity: One Star
While a bit of Squirtle’s body is submerged in this artwork, you can’t deny it paints a tranquil scene of the tiny turtle Pokemon. The determined look on their face as they swim in a blue river that has the most incredible light dancing off of it, plus the little sparkle details. It’s all so gorgeous.
And even if it isn’t the waterway that draws your eye in, the pops of color from the lily pads and flowers, as well as the distant trees speckling the shore in the background, add to that sense of peace. It’s too bad that to be effective in battle, you have to throw another two cards on top of this one.
8
Tynamo
Rarity: One Diamond
This is not the only crocheted card that has existed in the history of the Pokemon Trading Card Game. And surely Tynamo won’t be the last either because these cards continue to be popular. After all, they wouldn’t keep doing it if nobody liked them, would they?
Despite everything being made of craft supplies as opposed to looking like a painting or illustration, this card has plenty of life to it. There are even felt bubbles that rise up toward the surface. All of it is aided by Tynamo being able to float in the scene without any visible strings or stands holding them up. Real-world magic brings to life this video and card game creature.
7
Bulbasaur
Rarity: One Star
This is another of the Kanto starter Pokemon that suffers from the fact that you eventually have to hide this beautiful illustration under another card. However, if you’re strictly collecting, you won’t have this problem at all. Anyway, you’ll be counting your lucky Starmies when you pull this enchanting depiction of, arguably, the first Pokemon.
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Detail isn’t spared in the vegetation that surrounds the Grass-type Pokemon. The beams of light just managing to break through the low-lying leaves that surround this wooded area are the perfect touch to help light up the focus of this card. And that smile! How can you not be drawn into that precious little face?
6
Rapidash
Rarity: One Star
This one-star card has a very different feeling than the Squirtle swimming in some gentle waters. The artwork gives Rapidash tangible movement as its long, fiery mane streaks across the card and into the distance. The action lines and perspective all work to make it look like you were just kneeling, minding your own business, when this majestic horse came storming through.
The other thing that works so well for this card is the colors. While both Rapidash and Squirtle have floral details near the edges of the card, the petals in the Rapidash one-star not only match the swirls on the card’s border but also have matching colors that make it look like those metallic swirls made it onto the design itself.
5
Charmander
Rarity: One Star
It wasn’t a bit that landed all three of the Kanto starters on this list. They all deserve to be here. And that couldn’t be truer than when looking at this whimsical take on the Fire-type from the trio, Charmander.
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Sitting with their tail in front of them like it’s a campfire is already a detail that should have fans fighting tears over how cute that is. And staring up into the night sky. Not only is the galaxy beautifully portrayed with deep blue hues, but it’s the fact that Charmander is looking up with a dreamy expression, like one day that’s gonna be me up there.
4
Snorlax
Rarity: One Star
This card, when compared to the other rare ones making up the Genetic Apex set, might not seem to hold its weight against the heavy-hitting designs of the Kanto starters, but it goes a bit deeper than the surface. You’ve most likely seen it, but if not, this card ties together a scene involving three others.
Bellsprout, Venonat, and Oddish all have cards that fit perfectly with this slumbering Snorlax. It’s also a call back to multiple games in which Snorlax has fallen asleep in the middle of a road, cutting off traffic through the area. So, this card wins a spot on the list for a mass of creativity as well as a fun homage to other Pokemon titles. And it’s not like the art isn’t awesome in its own right.
3
Charizard ex
Rarity: Three Star, Immersive
Charmander’s evening wishes on those stars came true. Charizard is in mid-flight in this card, and while it doesn’t take place during the night, what it does is take place in the middle of a fight. The rhymes weren’t intentional, but you can keep those on the house.
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Rarity may not be why this card was chosen, but it helps in an odd way: the border. This rounded, silver and gray border has a very natural, circular motion to it that is matched by Charizard’s fire-based attack. The dynamic background gives life to the scene as well, including a beam attack being fired off just above the flame Pokemon.
When a card is referred to as being immersive, it is because a video plays after you pull the card.
2
Mewtwo ex
Rarity: Three Star, Immersive
The three dimensions are dimensioning on this card thanks to the amazing use of perspective. Mewtwo’s hand reached out toward you, his other hand in the distant background. The shattered glass is flying into the foreground of the image, and all of that, combined with this expression of both anger and desperation on Mewtwo’s face. No wonder Mewtwo was picked to highlight one of the packs.
There is no arguing that this scene is so different from any of the others. They could be taking place in a different region. Even in Charizard’s immersive card, the fight that’s happening is fierce, but there is light; there’s that almost smile to Charizard’s mouth. Not with Mewtwo. Nurikabe did an excellent job demonstrating a darker scene that tells a story of escape at all costs with this card.
1
Eevee
Rarity: One Star
If this is what a Pokemon Daycare looks like, players should be running, not walking, to the nearest one in the Pokemon video games to drop their most beloved babies off there to have a playdate with Eevee. There’s even the nod to Ditto in this piece, which, oh boy. Ditto in the Daycare huh?
But pushing that from your mind, Eevee reaching up to touch one of the three original evolutionary stones is such a cute nod to Jolteon, Vaporeon, and Flareon, all of which are featured in the Genetic Apex set. As for the technique of the art, it looks and feels so soft and comfortable, resembling a masterful use of a medium like colored pencils or something a kid dreaming up this scene would use to create it.
- Released
-
October 30, 2024
- Publisher(s)
-
The Pokemon Company