What’s the Most Valuable Pokémon Toy to Invest In?
With some rare toys fetching thousands of dollars, Pokémon toys might be the way to go if you're looking to have fun and make some profit on your investments.
Updated Jun 13, 2023
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Are you ready to catch 'em all in toy form? Pokémon toys, such as Pokémon toy action figures and plushies, are the ideal way to bring your favorite pocket monsters to life without needing to train or feed them. These collectible items come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from soft plushies to detailed action figures.
With Poké-fever on the rise, there's no sign of these beloved creatures from Japan slowing down anytime soon. Do you remember playing Pokémon GO, doing your best to catch 'em all, or being glued to your Game Boys? As it turns out, some of those incredible Pokémon cards and other merchandise have significantly increased in value over the years.
In August 2022, a super rare Wata 9.8 A+ went up to $3,600 at Heritage Auctions.
However, there's some confusion within the world of Pokémon about which nostalgic items have a higher worth than others. Are you ready for an epic guide to the value of your Pokémon toys, cards, and games, and find out if you've captured a fortune?
But there's a little confusion in the Poké-world about which nostalgic gems are worth more than others. Ready for an epic guide to the worth of your Pokémon toys, cards, and games? You might've snagged a fortune while catching 'em all.
Why are Pokémon toys so valuable?
Why are Pokémon toys so valuable?
Pokémon toys are more than your average toy products, and it's easy to see why. These captivating creatures were first released in Japan nearly three decades ago and have since captured the hearts of fans worldwide. The iconic characters and timeless designs make them highly sought after by collectors.
A PSA 9 Pikachu Illustrator sold for $195,000 at Weiss Auctions in August 2019.
Source: pokeguardian.com
With rare figurines fetching thousands of dollars at auction, it's easy to see why investing in Pokémon toys is an attractive option for those looking to diversify their portfolio.
Pokémon toys list
Pokémon toys list
Are you hoping to catch (or invest in) lucrative Pokémon toys? We're here to help. Beyond the realm of random Pikachu onesies and figurines found in your local shop, you won't want to miss a wealth of treasures, whether you're an avid Pokémon fan or an eager investor.
We understand that with such a vast selection of enticing Pokémon toys, it can be challenging to find the hidden gems among the more common options—whether at a Japan shop or browsing online. To save you from fruitlessly diving into the rabbit hole, we've compiled the ultimate lineup of must-have Pokémon toys you can find and proudly add to your collection.
1. Giant Eevee Plush Present
1. Giant Eevee Plush Present
- Price Range: $16 to $98
- Highest Sale Price: $5,000
- Rarity: 20 pieces
With only 20 available in Japan, the Giant Eevee Plush Present is an absolute gem.
Source: rarest.org
The massive Eevee Plush, launched in 2012 by Pokémon Inc. during Japan's “I Love Eevee” campaign, overflows with adorableness. There are only 20 examples of this rare gem in existence. And guess what? You had to win it in a lottery to own one.
Now, here comes the exciting part. While you may shop online for newer versions for less than $100, the original copies rarely appear on retail sites. In fact, one appeared online a few years ago and got snagged for over $5,000.
The rare Christmas-themed Eevee plush set is highly sought after by collectors.
Source: sportskeeda.com
2. Giant Entei, Raikou, and Suicune plushies
2. Giant Entei, Raikou, and Suicune plushies
- Price Range: $5,000
- Highest Sale Price: $5,000
- Rarity: Super rare
Next on the list are the giant Entei, Raikou, and Suicune plushies. These big babies were part of the giant plushies unleashed at the Pokémon Center stores in New York and Tokyo in 2001.
As the diamonds of Pokémon plushies, they rarely show up on resale sites but command hefty prices when they do. In today's market, a giant Entei, Suicune, or Raikou plush in perfect condition will easily fetch around $5,000. Yeah, five grand.
These Pokémon toys are even more special because they're no longer in production. So if you find any original releases in perfect condition, hang on to them tight.
3. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Themed Nintendo GameCube
3. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Themed Nintendo GameCube
- Price Range: $150 to $850
- Highest Sale Price: $3,600
- Rarity: limited edition
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is one of the most valuable Pokémon video games.
Source: pricecharting.com
The nostalgia-inducing Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness was released as a limited edition in 2005 and has since become a valuable collector's item in gaming history. Prices for this vintage video game vary depending on the condition and whether it's loose, complete, new, graded, box only, or manual only.
Used and new copies of this GameCube game go for an average price of $150 to $850 on eBay and other sites. However, in August 2022, a super rare Wata 9.8 A+ went up to $3,600 at Heritage Auctions.
4. Dittochu Plush Toy
4. Dittochu Plush Toy
- Price Range: $20 to $500
- Highest Sale Price: $439
- Rarity: High
The Dittochu plush is valued at as high as $230 on eBay.
Source: ebay.com
The Dittochu plush toy, a charming blend of Ditto and Pikachu, is a true gem for Pokémon collectors. This rare treasure was exclusively available during the Rainbow Series limited edition promotion at the Pokémon Centers in Japan, which adds to its allure.
The Dittochu plush value can vary based on its condition, but some have gone for big bucks. For instance, a pre-owned Dittochu plushie sold for $439 on eBay. Thanks to the unique, furry material (now out of production), Dittochu has become a rarity and highly desired among collectors.
5. Nintendo DS Lite World Championship 2008 console
5. Nintendo DS Lite World Championship 2008 console
- Price Range: $3,000
- Highest Sale Price: Unknown
- Supply: 112 pieces
The 2008 Nintendo DS Lite World Championship console is a scarce collectible numbering only 112.
Source: gameskinny.com
The last item on our highly valuable Pokémon toys list is the Nintendo DS Lite World Championship 2008 console. This bad boy is extremely hard to come by because it was specifically created for participants of the 2008 Pokémon World Championships tournament held in Florida.
Among the 112 units ever made, 56 were utilized in the video game tournament, while the remaining were designated for the trading card game showdown. Despite its lower-end hardware, this vintage handheld device's limited availability and unique history significantly contribute to its steadily-inclining value in the collectibles market.
Is investing in a Pokémon toy a good idea?
Is investing in a Pokémon toy a good idea?
Believe it or not, investing in Pokémon toys has been pretty magical—and profitable—for some daring collectors.
With Pokémon's growing fame, some toys have seen crazy returns, like the iconic Pikachu Illustrator card (PSA 9) that sold for a mind-blowing $195,000 in 2019.
But hey, be careful when diving into the Pokémon investment world because not all collectibles will score you big bucks in the long run.