The Story
Where It All Began
Mudkip ★ holds a unique distinction: it's one of the first three Gold Star cards ever printed. Released in November 2004 as part of EX Team Rocket Returns, the Hoenn starter trio introduced a brand-new rarity tier that would define the entire EX era.
The shiny form swaps Mudkip's blue for a vivid purple, and Fukuda's artwork captures the little Water-type mid-leap with joyful energy. Despite a modest 50 HP, the card's significance is entirely about collector status — this is where the Gold Star legend began.
At roughly 1 per 2 booster boxes, pulling any Gold Star was a genuine event. Team Rocket Returns product has become increasingly scarce, making raw pulls essentially impossible at reasonable prices.
Before Mudkip, Torchic, and Treecko, there were no Gold Stars. These three cards launched the most prestigious rarity tier in Pokémon TCG history.
