The return of Pokémon 151 booster bundles on Amazon is a double-edged sword for collectors. While it's great to see these packs back in stock, the price tag is eyebrow-raising. Listed at over $60, it's more than double the MSRP of $26.94. It's hard to call that a "deal," but given the rapid sell-out rate of this set, it's not something we can completely dismiss.
Pokémon TCG: 151 Booster Bundle Is Back In Stock For A Premium
Pokémon TCG: 151 Booster Bundle
Full Disclosure: MSRP is $26.94
Current Price: $82.50
Discount: Save 16%
Price at Amazon: $68.92
What continually draws me back to the 151 set is its substance beyond mere nostalgia. The card art in this set surpasses the typical shiny-on-a-blank-background aesthetic. Take the Illustration Rare Bulbasaur, for instance—it's nestled in a jungle of giant leaves, reminiscent of a Ghibli film, and it's captivating. Then there's Alakazam ex, depicted as if it's pursuing a psychic PhD in a cluttered study, adding a quirky charm to the card.
Charmeleon - 169/165
Price at TCG Player: $30.99
Bulbasaur - 166/165
Price at TCG Player: $37.99
Alakazam ex - 201/165
Price at TCG Player: $53.99
Squirtle - 170/165
Price at TCG Player: $40.99
Charizard ex - 183/165
Price at TCG Player: $35.40
The strength of this set lies in its seamless integration of art and gameplay, without feeling forced. Cards like Blastoise ex boast robust abilities and appear gallery-worthy. Even Charmander has been upgraded; the new version with 70 HP is resilient enough to withstand minor damage that would have taken out its weaker predecessors. This subtle enhancement is emblematic of the set's overall approach.
Charmander - 168/165
Price at TCG Player: $45.05
Zapdos ex - 202/165
Price at TCG Player: $60.68
Blastoise ex - 200/165
Price at TCG Player: $60.00
Venusaur ex - 198/165
Price at TCG Player: $77.73
Charizard ex - 199/165
Price at TCG Player: $234.99
Not every card is a winner; Zapdos ex, for instance, is decent but doesn't stand out enough to be a centerpiece. However, the set's overall quality remains high. Venusaur ex excels in both functionality and style, while Squirtle's artwork convincingly places a cartoon turtle in a realistic ecosystem. The attention to detail in these designs is commendable.
Paying above MSRP isn't ideal, but it's hard to deny the value packed into this set. If you're looking for packs that are enjoyable to open and offer a good chance at valuable pulls, the 151 set remains a solid choice. Just be prepared for the price to be whatever Amazon decides on any given day.
