Why is Machamp Always 1st Edition?
Machamp‘s first edition status has puzzled Pokémon fans for years. Unlike most Base Set cards, Machamp was printed exclusively in 1st edition. This article will uncover why Machamp missed out on unlimited and Base Set 2 printings.
A Comprehensive History of Machamp in the TCG
Let‘s start at the beginning – Machamp‘s journey from Japanese exclusive to 1st edition phenomenon.
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October 1996 – Machamp debuts in the original Japanese Base Set as a holographic rare card
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January 1999 – Machamp included as a holographic rare in English 1st edition Base Set
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February 1999 – Unlimited Base Set released without 1st edition stamp
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October 1999 – Base Set 2 released as a reprint set – but no Machamp!
So what explains Machamp‘s absence from Base Set 2 when all other holographic rares were included?
How the 2-Player Starter Set Changed Machamp‘s Fate
The 2-Player Starter Set plays a key role in explaining Machamp‘s 1st edition exclusivity.
Released in 1999, the 2-Player Starter Set was developed to help grow the TCG by providing an easy introduction for new players. It included:
- 2 Half Decks
- Playmat
- Damage Counters
- Coin
- Rulebook
Critically, it also contained 2 Machamp cards. These were 1st edition Machamps taken directly from the Base Set to balance the half-decks.
As one collector explained:
"Since Base Set 2 was designed partly to replace cards "used up" by products like the Starter Set, Machamp wasn‘t needed in the set."
Reprinting Machamp in Base Set 2 would‘ve flooded the market, reducing the value of the 1st edition Machamps in circulation. So Wizards left it out.
The Widespread Abundance of 1st Edition Machamps
Ironically, while Machamp never saw an unlimited or Base Set 2 printing, it‘s actually one of the most common 1st edition holographic cards:
| Holographic Card | PSA 10 Value | Total Printed* |
|---|---|---|
| Machamp | $350 | 2,000,000+ |
| Charizard | $660,000 | 121,500 |
| Blastoise | $5,000 | 121,500 |
| Venusaur | $3,200 | 121,500 |
* Print run estimates via Bulbapedia
As the table shows, the 2-Player Starter Set ensured hundreds of thousands if not millions of 1st edition Machamps entered circulation – dwarfing the supply of other holographic rares.
This abundance is the reason you can still easily find 1st edition Machamps today compared to the incredible scarcity of a card like 1st edition Charizard.
The Investment Potential of Pristine 1st Edition Machamps
While plentiful, pristine 1st edition Machamps with high grades still demand premium prices:
| Grade | Avg Price | # Listed |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | $350 | 25 |
| PSA 9 | $50 | 50 |
| PSA 8 | $30 | 75 |
Listings as of 2/2023 via eBay sold data
The number of PSA 10s in existence likely ranges from 150-300 copies based on population reports. This scarcity in top condition gives the card investment upside.
As the TCG market grows, early iconic cards like 1st edition Machamp have room to increase. Its unique 1st edition status makes it appealing. Cards like Shadowless Machamp have even more potential.
Overall the ample supply limits massive gains, but solid returns are achievable particularly for the rarest versions.
Other Notable Machamp Cards for Collectors
While 1st edition Base Set Machamps are the most iconic, other Machamp cards also hold value:
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Giovanni‘s Machamp (Gym Challenge) – One of the rare "Gym Leader" cards from the Gym Challenge set. A PSA 10 can sell for $1000+. An iconic chase card for collectors.
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1st Edition Neo Genesis Machamp – The 1st Machamp in the Neo Series. Much scarcer than Base Set, a PSA 10 sells for around $300.
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Skyridge Machamp – An extremely rare non-holo rare from the final e-card set Skyridge. A PSA 10 sold for $2500 in 2020. There are estimated to be less than 60 PSA 10s in existence.
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Pre-Release Machamp (XY Evolutions) – Given out at special XY Evolutions pre-release events. Only 100 made. Sold at auction for over $1000.
For investors and collectors alike, the 1st edition Base Machamp offers an appealing blend of nostalgia, history, and affordability.
The Machamp Meme: Why Does Everyone Have One?
The ubiquity of 1st edition Machamp has even spawned memes and jokes within the Pokémon community:
And comments like:
"Machamp was the card that everyone had as a kid, but nobody wanted."
"When I collected Pokémon cards I feel like everyone I knew had like 17 Machamps."
"As iconic as machamp is, as a kid I LOATHED getting him in every. Single. Pack."
The comical abundance of Machamp truly differentiated it from its rare holographic peers like Charizard, making it almost annoying to some collectors!
The Mystery of the Missing Machamps – Explained
While we may never know the full reasoning behind Machamp‘s absence from Base Set 2, the 2-Player Starter Set clearly played a pivotal role.
As one of the first "gateway" products aimed at new TCG fans, saturating the market with unlimited Machamps would‘ve been counterproductive. It benefited Wizards more to reserve Machamp as a 1st edition exclusive in order to sell more Starter Sets.
In the end, the distribution strategy made 1st edition Machamp simultaneously common yet collectible. An iconic cornerstone of early Pokémon nostalgia for any fan.
Hopefully this guide has provided a comprehensive understanding of how Machamp became the lovable, ubiquitous "common rare" of the 1st generation! Let me know if you have any other Machamp questions in the comments!
