The best Zapdos Pokémon cards in the TCG

Shadowless Base Set Zapdos is the most expensive Zapdos Pokémon card on the market, and its value comes from all the usual sources. It's from the original Pokémon set, meaning it's a major source of nostalgia for trading card game fans. It also means pristine copies are hard to come by, and a rare graded card can sell for well over a thousand dollars.

That being said, a Base Set Zapdos won't be worth as much as the Charizard Pokémon card from this expansion. There are plenty of other more popular Pokémon from Base Set that hold much higher value. But hey, if you love Zapdos more than any other pocket monster, this is the chaser card for you.

The FireRed & LeafGreen version of Zapdos Ex is our favorite example of a great Zapdos Pokémon card. Its vibrant art captures the electric presence of the legendary Pokémon, and the 2004 card is packed with nostalgia value.

Plus, there are several later Zapdos Ex cards to collect, if you want to catch 'em all. Their abilities are all different, but Zapdos isn't the most competitive Pokémon card to play, whichever version you own. All of them come with unique and beautiful art, though, which is a great reason to chase down some copies.

However you feel about its e-card border design, there's no denying that Aquapolis Zapdos is a card with a unique look. This is helped by its electrifying art, which shows Zapdos lighting up the night as it charges, head down, toward an unseen target.

A top-quality copy of the card only sells for a few hundred dollars - great news for Zapdos lovers on a tighter budget. It won't wow people in the same way as a copy of Base Set Zapdos, but if you're only collecting for sentimental value, then who cares what price tag the card came with?

After Base Set Zapdos, Rocket's Zapdos Ex is one of the most valuable cards featuring this particular Pokémon. Part of that is down to the age of the card and the fairly limited copies available. Another reason is the dark, edgy 3D art that makes this card stand out from the crowd.

It's not the most expensive Pokémon card of all time, and it's not going to see much play. But again, if you love Zapdos, it should be high up on your shopping list.

If you prefer Pokémon card collecting on a budget, Zapdos 150 from the Supreme Victors set is our top choice. You still get some excellent art of the electric Pokémon. The minimalist design and glittery background mean that the bird seems to pop right off the paper.

Moltres and Zapdos and Articuno GX features all three of Gen One's legendary birds, and it's the most beautiful Zapdos card we've ever seen. Each creature is immortalized in a vibrant stained glass style that any collector would be proud to display.

This is a cheap and cheerful Pokémon card suitable for collectors of all budgets. However, a well-preserved copy can sell for a significantly higher price - so look after your Zapdos well.