If you’re collecting—or thinking about starting a collection of first-generation Tomy Pokémon figures—you’ve probably wondered: which ones are the hardest to find? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at that question.
In my opinion, rarity partly depends on the region you’re in. For example, some figures that are hard to find in Europe may be more common in the United States or South America, which often influences their price. That said, one thing remains consistent: certain figures were not released under some trademarks and others were released in multiple sets, which affected both: their availability and overall value.
Another factor to consider is that some figures, such as Rhydon or Haunter, were also reissued in the MC series. This made them more accessible, and for many collectors, they are still considered “the original” due to their old-style inscriptions.
- Electrode & Voltorb & Golbat: Issued only in Japan under the set D and then under the black blister series. No issue under Auldey nor Hasbro. Did not have other releases, so they are scarce and expensive. Furthermore, their bases make them a natural enemy of a kid playing with them.
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Ditto: This one is more resistant, but again, we only have Ditto in the black series and set E. Later on, there were releases, but the inscriptions are not the ones as in the retro figures. A lot of bootlegs are within the market, be aware!
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Nidorino & Nidoran: Similar to the 4 previous ones. Furthermore, both have a lot of spikes, which are difficult to find in a good state. Most of the time, you will find bootlegs that do not split the figure vertically (tummy included).
- Nidoqueen: Similarly to Nidorino and Nidoran, look out for the number in this case on the posterior leg. Nidorina and Nidoran are less rare because both appear in Hasbro blisters. Nidorina with Chansey and Blissey, Nidoran in the grabber ball set.
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Magmar:: This figure has a lot of bootlegs, be careful of many details it should have. Among them, a "belly button"
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Omanyte: I really feel that this figure is less rare than the others but because it's really way less hyped. But again, only released under Tomy Japan. No releases from Hasbro.
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Dittochu - ditto transformed into Pikachu: Only available in Set E. Later was released in a new pack with Pikachu, but it's a totally different vibe. Way more modern.
Other figures that are less rare because they have Habro releases: Persian, Cloyster, Machoke, Rhydon, Nidorina, Nidoran, Gastly, Haunter. Some are rarer than others. Persian and Cloyster have special releases in US, same for Gastly, Haunter in South America.