ThePokemon TCGis at its best when it captures and conveys the personality of the Pokemon or Trainer in a still moment on a card. While its most notable characteristic is its uselessness in battle, Magikarp pairs up with a friend for some help reaching the heights it is capable of, featuring gorgeous moments on Magikarp’s best cards.
As one of the original 151 in Kanto, Magikarp makes a splash insome of the best vintage Pokemon sets everbut doesn’t limit its appearances to the past. Magikarp remains relevant in the Pokemon TCG with the debut of new favorites,like its gorgeous Illustration Rare from Paldea Evolved, which revitalized the Magikarp market.
Cards are ordered according to theirTCGPlayerMarket Price,which you might pay on average for a copy of the(first edition, where applicable)cards below.
Given the age and rarity of these cards,onlythose with anestablished market price on TCGplayerare included.
However,sale prices differ depending on the card’s condition,so this market price is just a rough idea of the card’s value.
Updated July 04, 2025, by Andrew Scariati:The most expensive Magikarp cards haven’t changed their order, but the individual values have shifted massively. Magikarp’s best cards continue to rise in price, especially modern gems that continue to float higher and higher thanks to a general Pokemon market surge.
8Magikarp: XY Promos (Promo) – $24.98
Hopping Out Of The Water
We start things off witha promo cardthat might have been punching above its weight in the past but has since seen a respectable run up the price charts to its current valuation as one of the best Magikarp chase cards. The simple, but shining golden Magikarp showcases this Pokemon in its shiny form with a fierce expression.
Magikarp jumps from the ten-dollar range well into the 20s as it rides the wave into relevance among the most expensive Magikarp cards. This simple promo is likely to continue rising with the tide as it becomes more scarce, especially in good condition.
7Magikarp & Wailord GX: Sun & Moon Promos (Promo) – $46.37
A Dive Into The Promo World
This Sun & Moon promo capitalized on the hype for the dynamic Water-type duo of Magikarp and Wailord with another gorgeous scene. We witness Wailord gulp Magikarp into its mouth before it later sends the small fish flying on a powerful geyser-fueled journey into the sky.
Damaged copies start at around six dollars, while most of the cards available are LP, which range from $13 to $18, while NM cards usually eclipse the $25 plateau. Some NM sales reach as much as $50,bolstering this card’s market price for the short term.
6Magikarp & Wailord GX: Team Up (Full Art) – $46.64
Forming A Perfect Pair
Magikarp and Wailord are a match made by Arceus, as these Water-type Pokemon form a dynamic duo that boastsseveral appearances among Magikarp’s most expensive cards.Starting simply, the regular full-art version in Team Up portrays a cute moment of the Pokemon on a blue background.
Since Team Up is a modern release, most cards remain in decent condition, so you’ll typically choose between lightly played(LP), and near-mint(NM)copies. NM often trades in the $45 range, while LP maintains solid value in the mid to low-30s.
5Magikarp & Wailord GX: Team Up (Secret Rare) – $60.85
Continuing The Trend
Did you want more of this mismatched pairing? Well, they’re not done yet, as this version touts thesame design as the full art version, but offers a Rainbow Secret Rare recolor.
Although it bears the same rainbow distinction that many ofthe most expensive Sun & Moon cardshave, this card has another form that surpasses this version.
This Magikarp & Wailord GX has seen a remarkable uptick in price during 2024, as it ended 2023 at around $36, but rose to $56 before the end of October 2024.Jumping roughly $20 in under 12 monthsis impressive, and this card deservedly exceeds its previous high.
4Magikarp: Base Set First Edition (Uncommon) – $78.84
An Unexpected Uncommon
This beauty from the original Base Set breaks the trend of Magikarp pairing up with its enormous friend, as this version keeps it old school with a simple design. However, simple doesn’t mean boring, as this Magikarp card depicts thetense moment before a Magikarp bites a fishhook.
While you could easily pick up unlimited copies of this card for a few dollars or less, the first edition version has soared in value, starting at $12.99 for a damaged copy and maxing out at around$90 for an NM.However, heavily played(HP)cards offer a great discount, priced at about $25, while moderately played(MP)offers a happy medium at $30.
3Magikarp: Paldea Evolved (Illustration Rare) – $247.88
The Return Of A Special Style
This Magikarp borrows the style made famous by Giratina and re-imagines it to great effect, using mosaic-like patterns to form a brilliant waterfall. If you look at the top right, you’ll also notice aGyaradosin the background, and you’re able to follow it to seethe entire body across the top border.
The design used in this card was originally introduced by Shinji Kanda in theLost Origin (Lost Abyss in JP) set,as the background for the Giratina V Alternate Art.
Considering how stunning this card is, it’s no surprise that its demand has remained fairly strong ever since it crossed the $100 mark during the early stages of 2024. Despite surging to highs of almost $150, Magikarp fell before eventually rebounding to its current price above $200.
2Magikarp & Wailord GX: Team Up (Alternate Full Art) – $359.36
Soaring Into The Sky
This stunning Tag Team card deserves its place among themost valuable cards from the Sun & Moon era,as it delivers asatisfying conclusion to the scene that began on this pairing’s promo card.Even as a standalone card, the art is simply too funny to ignore, as Magikarp’s panicked bulging eye tells the story.
Sadly, nothing lasts forever, and this card crashed down to $250 after lingering around a high of $280. However, it was ready to rebound and has since made an impressive effort to increase in value. It’s hard to see this card falling much from the $350 mark.
1Shining Magikarp: Neo Revelation First Edition (Secret Rare) – $451.51
Shining Bright In The Sea
Shining Magikarp swims away with the victory, as this fabulous first edition card finds itself among the top-tier of cards on another list, after previously earning its place amongthe best cards in Neo Revelation.Shinies always command attention, and this golden recolor makes Magikarp’s shiny palette pop.
While the market price factors the Unlimited version’s sales into the equation, it’s important to note that this card’s first edition version can fetch $300 in MP condition, with LP stopping just shy of the $500 mark,leaving plenty of upside for NM copieswhen they sell on TCGplayer.
