With the release of the final Pokémon TCG: First Partner Illustration Collection Series 3 box upon us, let's take a look at the cards in all their glorious detail and highlight some of the nods to the games that we can recognise. (And maybe one or two hidden Pokémon while we are at it!)
Treecko
First on the list is Treecko, whose vibrant green theme helps further pay homage to Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.
The first thing that stands out is the Machoke helping to unload the delivery truck at the very beginning of the game. Maybe it's part of the same moving company that's featured in the Machoke #177/165 card from the 151 set!
Alongside the game's key items, such as the Wailmer Pail, the Mach Bike, the Acro Bike and that generation's Pokédex, you can also see highlighted towns such as your home in Littleroot Town and also Fortree City.
Each illustration highlights Gym Badges that you had to obtain to enter the Elite Four. In this card we can see the Stone Badge (1st), Dynamo Badge (3rd) and then the Balance Badge (5th).
Can you spot the hidden Pokémon in this card? It was also quite hard to spot in the main series too being an invisible wall until you obtained the Devon Scope. Reach out to us if you can't find it!
Torchic
Next up we have Torchic with one of the coolest final evolutions in this series (At least, I thought so as a child!)
Something that I remember when playing the games was heading to Slateport Beach after hopping off the SS Tidal. Another notable location on the card is the Hot Springs next to the Pokémon centre at Lavaridge Town.
The key items shown in this artwork are the Pokéblock Case and the Beauty Ribbon. The Gym badges shown are the Knuckle Badge (2nd) and Heat Badge (4th).
Mudkip
Finishing off the Generation 3 trio is none other than Mudkip! (I Herd U Liek Mudkips) for those who know!
There are some nice references to the games, including the Heart Scale, which helps your Pokémon relearn moves, and the PokéNav, which helps you navigate the region.
The towns and locations that can be seen here are the Sky Pillar and also notably Sootopolis City with the remaining badges being the Feather Badge (6th), Mind Badge (7th) and Rain Badge (8th).
Chespin
Starting off the Generation 6 era is Chespin. This card along with the other artworks in this era features items of clothing around the Pokémon, highlighting the fact that this was the first generation to allow you to customise your trainer.
There are some nice nods to the game here with the Lumiose Galette (Essentially a Full Heal), The Mega Evolution (See my first blog) Symbol and a Rhyhorn at the bottom which is likely there as your mother in the game used to be a Rhyhorn Racer!
The towns and locations that can be seen here are the Tower of Mastery and part of Prism Tower (Most recently seen in Legends ZA). These Gym badges are a little bit harder to see with them being the Bug Badge (1st), Cliff Badge (2nd) & Rumble Badge (3rd).
Fennekin
Now we have Fennekin whose final evolution is the first NON-Legendary to be both Fire/Psychic type. Along with clothing, this Pokémon is also surrounded by Poké Puffs which were introduced this Generation to help raise your Pokémon's affection.
The extra little references that can be seen within this card are the generation's Pokédex, the Mega Ring with some mega stones around it (Bonus points if you can tell us which ones!) and also a Gogoat which is most likely referencing the 'Gogoat Shuttle Service'.
The towns and locations that can be seen within the Fennekin art is the rest of Prism Tower and Professor Sycamore's Laboratory. There are only 2 badges hiding this time being the Voltage Badge (5th) and Fairy Badge (6th).
Froakie
Last up in this generation we have Froakie, who became the standout starter with its final evolution Greninja being a staple in Ash's team in the Anime.
The references to the game to take note of here are the pair of roller skates which were a Key Item that could be used to manoeuvre around more quickly than walking and also the 'Ultimate Weapon' which you will have to play the games to find out more!
The Kalos Pokemon League and the Anistar City Sundial are the towns and locations to highlight within this artwork. With the remaining badges in order to take on the Elite Four being the Plant Badge (4th), Psychic Badge (7th) and Iceberg Badge (8th)
Sprigatito
Beginning Generation 9 is Sprigatito who, along with Liko, has taken the mantle as one of the main protagonists in Pokémon Horizons since since Ash's journey came to an end.
The game references to note here are the sandwich which was introduced in this generation to help raise a variety of things such as Catching power, raid power and even Exp Point power. There is also a Terastallized Sprigatito with its natural Grass Tera Type which was the main mechanic of the game. Also shown within this artwork is the Scarlet Book which is a written account of the Area Zero Expedition which will be further explained once you've played the game!
Notable locations within the artwork include the player's house in Cabo Poco and the town of Artazon. A special shout-out goes to the legendary of 'Scarlet' Koraidon flying at the top. With the badges shown being obtained from the "Path of Legends" route being the Rock, Ground, Dragon, Flying and Steel.
Fuecoco
Next up we have Fuecoco who is my favourite out of the trio personally.
Similar to the Sprigatito artwork, this card features the other box legendary but this time for Violet Miraidon along with a Fire Tera type Terastallized Fuecoco. The new design for the 'All in one' Pokémon Centre can be seen within the card along with the Tera Orb which allows the Pokémon to Terastallize.
The highlighted location within this card is the Naranja Academy in Mesagoza which is the main school within the 'Scarlet' Version. You might think that the badges are the same as the Sprigatito but these ones are obtained from the Paldea League consisting of Bug, Grass, Electric, Water, Normal, Ghost, Psychic and Ice.
Quaxly
Last but certainly not least, representing the water type starter Pokémon in the Paldea region is Quaxly.
As with the other two, there is also a Terastallized version of itself with its original typing in the background along with the Scarlet Book. This also features a Revavroom installed on the Segin Starmobile, which was the 'boss battle' during each segment of the "Starfall Street" storyline. The badges obtained during this storyline can also be seen by the side which consist of Fire, Dark, Fighting, Poison and Fairy.
Locations to note within this artwork of Quaxly include the city of Levincia along with the Icerend Shrine accompanied by one of the stakes which aids in unlocking it (What lies behind it I will not say!)
And that finally completes my breakdown of the artworks available within the First Partner Illustration Collection - Series 3. If you made it this far thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I hope you learned a thing or two about the cards or even about the video games that help bring even more personality to these artworks.
Did you spot every hidden detail, or is there something we missed? Let us know—we'd love to hear what you've found!
Don't forget that First Partner Illustration Collection - Series 3 releases this Friday 7th August so make sure you're signed up to be one of the first to know when it's available.
