Lock up your debit can credit cards; it’s time to check out the most valuable McDonald’s Pokemon cards of all time!
Yes, Pokemon have infiltrated everywhere. They’ve appeared in Dominos Pizza stores, in toy shops around the globe, in our handhelds, and in the planets most famous fast-food restaurant.
Yes, the McDonald’s Pokemon cards came in Happy Meals, and now they’re worth considerably more than the original price of the little cardboard box filled with fried goodness.
From the original starters through to legendary Pokemon that have eluded us for decades, this list of the most valuable McDonald’s Pokemon cards has a little bit of something for everyone.
How many do you have, and how many are you going to buy?
10. 2021 Pikachu Holo Pokemon McDonald’s Collection 25th Anniversary Card – $175
First up on our list of the most valuable McDonald’s Pokemon cards of all time is the main man himself. Take a look at the 2021 Pikachu Holo Pokemon McDonalds Collection 25th Anniversary Card!
While most of the cards below are from 20 or more years ago (spoiler alert), this one came out last year in 2021.
Part of the 25th Anniversary Collection, this shiny Pikachu looks very much like Pika does in every other outing he’s ever made.
And if you’ve wondered why I’ve said that… take a look at the guy in our Number 3 slot below!
If you’ve got a cheeky $175 to spare, then this card could be yours in Mint condition!
9. 2001 Japanese Limited Promo Holo Pikachu McDonalds Card – $200
Next up we’ve got a slick little holo Pikachu from 2001. Meet the 2001 Japanese Limited Promo Holo Pikachu McDonalds Card!
Just look how electric that background is! I reckon you’d need to wear gloves when handling this card to make sure you don’t get shocked!
Pika might well be the most famous Pokemon of all time, and even 21 years later at the time of writing, his Japanese McDonald’s promo card is still bringing in $200.
8. 2002 Japanese McDonald’s Promo Pichu Card – $220
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier Pokemon than in this 2002 Japanese McDonald’s Promo Pichu Card.
I mean, just look at the little guy. It’s like all his Christmases have come at once!
And I guess if you’re spending £220 on one of the most valuable McDonald’s Pokemon cards, then you might feel like that too!
This non-holo card depicts Pichu and boasts just one move. That’s a lot of money for a one-move card, but let’s face it… it’s Pichu’s face that sells it.
7. 2002 Larvitar Holo McDonald’s Japanese Pokemon Card – $236
This Rock & Ground Pokemon has always been a little moody. Still, if it knew the price over its head was a cool $236, it might be happier about its Larvitar Holo McDonald’s Japanese Pokemon Card taking the 7th spot in our most valuable McDonalds Pokemon cards list.
Holo cards will always be exciting, and Larvitar is no exception. If you’re holding onto a Mint 10 copy of this card from 2002, then for crying out loud make sure it’s in a safe place.
Hopefully yours isn’t covered in chip grease from when you excitedly opened the card to check what was inside your Happy Meal packet.
6. 2001 Grass Energy Japanese Promo Card – $249
I know this is a bit of a boring looking card in comparison to the others in this list, but if you’re a big fan of the trading card game, then having this 2001 Grass Energy Japanese Promo card to hand will complete your life fully.
Well, it might… I’m not making any guarantees.
For those of you that don’t know, energy cards are used to power Pokemon’s attacks. So, if you want to make Bulbasaur do a move, you’ll need a couple of these to hands.
The Mcdonald’s Promo energy cards all fetch around this price, but the Grass Energy card still brings the highest cost.
5. 2002 Scizor Promo Japanese Mcdonalds Pokemon Card – $279
Scizor might not be everyones cup of tea as opposed to the OG Scyther, but this 2002 Scizor Promo Japanese Mcdonalds Pokemon Card certainly is a cut above the rest.
That was a terrible joke, but I’m kind of proud of it at the same time.
Yes, Scyther’s evolution brings Bug and Steel moves to the table, and for $279, it can be in your collection or deck to use in battles.
That’s a lot of money if you’re going to risk creasing it though. Maybe just look at it from afar and question how you have so much money to be spending it on valuable Pokemon cards.
4. 2002 Japanese Umbreon McDonalds Card – $350
Umbreon might be a Dark type Pokemon, but there’s nothing shady or remotely mysterious about how valuable this little guy is.
Bringing in a sum of $350 in mint condition (grade 9 or 10), this Japanese McDonalds card is a real showstopper.
I mean, just take a look at the art on the card itself. He looks like he’s chilling on the rooftops of Venice, just catching some rays while taking a well earned rest.
3. 2002 Japanese Holo Squirtle McDonalds Card – $590
Is it just me, or does Squirtle look a little like glowing Mr Burns in this 2002 Japanese Holo Squirtle McDonalds Card.
Don’t get me wrong, the card art is brilliant. Even Squirtle’s bubblegum is sparkly.
And at $590, the price is pretty explosive too!
Depicted popping out of his shell and looking longingly up to the heavens, this is a neat little card for anyone’s collector cabinet.
Speaking of which, check out the best trading card displays to show off your weirdly creepy red-eyed Squirtle!
2. 2002 Pokemon Japanese Mew McDonalds Promo Card – $600
Mew has always been a legendary figure, so it’s no surprise that this 2002 Pokemon Japanese Mew McDonalds Promo Card fetches a pretty penny at auction.
Imagine opening up a Happy Meal and finding this bad boy in side! One of the rarest Pokémon chilling out amongst your chicken nuggets and chips.
The picture is super relaxing to look at too, featuring Mew drawn in an over-emphasised manga style.
Wherever that field is, I want to be there ASAP!
1. 2002 Japanese Holo Charmander McDonalds Card – $603
The results are in, and topping our list of the most valuable McDonalds Pokemon cards of all time is this slick 2002 Japanese Holo Charmander McDonalds Card!
Look at him; he looks like butter wouldn’t melt, right?
My favourite starter Pokemon from the very first set of games is still bringing home the bacon in 2022. I guess he’s always been a bit of a ‘hot topic’ right?
This holographic lava-themed background makes this card worth a whopping $603.
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
