Where to Buy the Pokémon First Partner Illustration TCG Collection (Series 3)

Same as the other two series, inside each box, you'll score:

• 1 Pokémon TCG Pack: Contains 3 of 9 illustration rare-style promo cards featuring the First Partner Pokémon from Gen 3 (Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip), Gen 6 (Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie), and Gen 9 (Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly). Remember - because it's a random pull, you’re not guaranteed any specific Pokémon!
• 2 Pokémon TCG Booster Packs (pulled from Pitch Black and Chaos Rising).
• 1 Exclusive Sticker Sheet featuring the Collection’s starter crew. The highlight of the whole collection, I know!

This release marks the final chapter in the First Partner Illustration TCG Collection. Series 1 took us back to the classic roots with Kanto (Gen 1), Sinnoh (Gen 4), and Alola (Gen 7). Series 2 took us back to the Johto (Gen 2), Unova (Gen 5), and Galar (Gen 8) regions. Series 3 officially rounds out the whole collection, bringing us the beloved first partner Pokémon from the Hoenn, Kalos, and Paldea regions.

On a personal note, Generation 3 was my first Pokémon game. While I started with Pokémon LeafGreen (which yes, is a Generation 3 game, I always forget), Pokémon Ruby was the first one I met my 24-year-old Treecko, while my best friend from primary school chose Torchic, and gave him to me.

Thanks Alice, I’m still looking after him! Years later, my partner got me a 3DS for my 21st birthday, where I finally completed my starter trio with Mudkip in Pokémon Omega Ruby. I have a huge amount of love for these three First Partner Pokémon, so I’ll definitely be trying my absolute best to hunt these promos down.

Price and Retailer Watchlist

Same as the other collections, the MSRP for this series is $14.99 USD (£14.99 in the UK). But, just like the others, you’ll be lucky if you can pick one up for that price. You can find these at the usual spots, but keep a Keen Eye on stock levels. The first and second series got snapped up faster than a Carbos-loaded Sharpedo.

Retailers have been hit-or-miss lately with First Partner Collection stock. Some stores get flooded, while others seem to sell out before the doors even open. Recently, the prices of these First Partner Collections has been dropping, so you might be able to snag yourself a good deal in time! You’ll want to check the usual spots, but keep a close eye on the smaller hobby shops too.

US Retailers to Watch

Unsurprisingly, the Pokémon Center is usually the first place to go live... And the first to go out of stock. Keep checking for restock waves.

Target and Best Buy are great options for local pickup, if you’ve got one close to you. If you can't get a pre-order anywhere online, it’s worth checking the physical shelves at these two retailers early in the morning near when your local store restocks. You can also call your local store or check online inventory checkers to see if they have available stock.

Amazon is usually a decent shout, but $59.95 is a steep price to pay. It is, however, currently in stock, with more expected to drop on 15 August.

Finally, if you miss the initial retail drop, TCGplayer is a reputable third-party marketplace. Just be careful with pricing here, as market rates fluctuate wildly based on initial demand. At the time of writing, a $14.99 collection is going for $51.74, plus $19.95 shipping, down from a high of $89.99.

UK Retailers to Watch

Much like the US version, Pokémon Center UK is your safest bet for baseline MSRP.

Details

Chaos Cards is a good option for UK hobbyists. They often have reward programs, so if you buy a lot of cards, check your points before you check out!

Smyths Toys is also surprisingly good for TCG stock. They don't always do online pre-orders for these smaller boxes, but they usually have plenty of stock in-store on release day.

The big question you might have now is: “Will I even be able to get my hands on one of these?”

People (myself included) have a lot of nostalgic love for Generation 3, and the shiny "newness" of Generation 9 means this wave is selling out fast. Sorry Generation 6 lovers, but we still appreciate you!

How Many Series Are Left?

We’ve had Series 1 (Gens 1, 4, 7), Series 2 (Gens 2, 5, 8), and now Series 3 (Gens 3, 6, 9), completing the nine mainline generations.

There is a bit of chatter about the upcoming Generation 10, and where this fits into the Collections. With Pokémon Winds and Waves rumored to be launching in 2027, a potential fourth series could tease the Generation 10 starters. Nothing is officially confirmed though, so take that rumor with a massive pinch of salt.

What’s Coming Next for the Pokémon TCG?

2026 is a huge year for Pokémon TCG! The biggest expansion on the horizon is the monumental Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion, launching globally on September 16, 2026. This is a historic set featuring a simultaneous worldwide release, where every single card is foil, every pack guarantees one of 30 unique Pikachu cards, and we see the debut of the brand-new opalescent "Futuristic Rare" tier featuring Mew and Mewtwo by artist YOSHIROTTEN.

For up-to-the-minute stock alerts, deals, and breaking card reveals, turn on notifications for IGNDeals on X. Did you manage to get your hands on Series 3, or are you, like me, waiting for a massive restock wave? Let me know in the comments if you got the pull you were looking for, or who your First Partner was!

Sara Heritage is a freelance journalist for IGN, specialising in Pokémon TCG. When she's not gaming, you’ll probably find her building yet another LEGO set she absolutely did not need, or chaining ranked matches in Pokémon Champions.