So you just got into collecting Pokémon Funko Pops. You go online or walk into a store, and suddenly you see like five different versions of the same Pikachu. One is $12. One is $50. One says “ECCC Exclusive.” Another says “Pokémon Center.” And you’re standing there thinking — what is going on and which one do I even get?
Don’t worry. I’ve been there. It’s confusing at first but once you understand how it works, it actually makes collecting way more fun.
In this blog, I’ll explain the difference between standard and exclusive Pokémon Funko Pops — what all the stickers mean, where each type comes from, and which one is right for you depending on what you’re looking for.
Let’s break it all down.
What Is a Standard Pokémon Funko Pop?
A standard Pokémon Funko Pop is the basic version of a figure. No special sticker, no fancy finish, no limited-edition anything. Just a cute little vinyl Pokémon in a box, sold at most major stores.
Standard Pops are usually about 4 inches tall and come in a window display box so you can see the figure without opening it. They retail for around $13.99 to $16.99 in 2025–2026 after Funko raised its prices.
Examples of standard Pokémon Funko Pops:
- Regular Pikachu (#353)
- Regular Charmander (#455)
- Regular Squirtle (#504)
- Regular Eevee (#577)
- Regular Gengar, Mewtwo, Mew, etc.
These are easy to find. You can grab them at Target, Walmart, GameStop, Amazon, or pretty much any store that sells toys. They’re affordable and they look great on a shelf.
Who should buy standard Pops? Anyone who’s just starting out, collecting for fun, or on a budget. They’re the perfect foundation for any collection.
What Is an Exclusive Pokémon Funko Pop?
An exclusive Pokémon Funko Pop is a version that’s only available in one specific place — like a certain store, a convention, or an online shop. You can usually tell it’s exclusive because there’s a special sticker on the box that says where it came from.
Exclusives are almost always a variant of an existing figure. So instead of the regular Charmander, you get a Flocked Charmander (fuzzy coating), or a Diamond Charmander (glitter finish), or a Metallic Charmander (shiny paint). Same character, different look, way harder to find.
Because they’re limited, they usually cost more than the standard version — and they often go up in value over time on the resale market. Limited-release figures exclusive to convention events or specific stores can fetch premiums of 200–500% over retail prices once they sell out.
The Different Types of Exclusives — Explained Simply
There are a few different kinds of exclusives in the Pokémon Funko Pop world. Here’s what each one means:
1. Convention Exclusives — SDCC, ECCC, NYCC, WonderCon, FunKon
These are Pops that were made specifically for big collector conventions:
- SDCC = San Diego Comic-Con (summer, huge event)
- ECCC = Emerald City Comic Con (Seattle, spring)
- NYCC = New York Comic Con (fall)
- WonderCon = Anaheim, CA (spring)
- FunKon / Virtual FunKon = Funko’s own virtual convention
Convention exclusives are usually the most valuable and hardest to find. They often come in very limited quantities — sometimes only 480 to 1,000 units made. If you weren’t at the convention, you had to buy from the Funko Shop online (which sells out in minutes) or pay higher prices on eBay afterward.
Pokémon examples:
- Charmander Diamond Collection — ECCC 2021 (~$150 now)
- Vaporeon Diamond Collection — ECCC 2021 (~$110 now)
- Charmander Flocked — ECCC 2020 (~$70 now)
- Bulbasaur Flocked — ECCC 2020 (~$55 now)
- Charmander Metallic — SDCC 2022
- Eevee Flocked — WonderCon 2020
- Jolteon Diamond — WonderCon 2021
These are the ones that go up the most in value. If you got a Diamond Vaporeon at ECCC 2021 for $48 at launch, it was worth nearly $110 by the end of that year — almost a 190% return. That’s the power of convention exclusives.
2. Pokémon Center Exclusives — Pearlescent Variants
The Pokémon Center (the official online store run by The Pokémon Company) releases its own special Funko Pop variants. These are called Pearlescent versions.
Pearlescent Pops have a shiny, shimmering paint finish — kind of like a holographic Pokémon card. They come in a special holographic box with a Pokémon Center exclusive sticker. They usually retail for $14.99.
Pokémon examples:
- Pikachu Pearlescent — Pokémon Center
- Mewtwo Pearlescent — Pokémon Center
- Eevee Pearlescent — Pokémon Center
- Charmander Pearlescent — Pokémon Center
- Squirtle Pearlescent — Pokémon Center
- Pichu Pearlescent — Pokémon Center
These sell out fast on the Pokémon Center website. Once they’re gone, prices go up. The Pearlescent line is loved by collectors because the finish is unique, the box is beautiful, and they’re still affordable at launch.
3. Retailer Exclusives — Target, GameStop, Hot Topic, Amazon, Chalice
Some stores get their own special Pokémon Funko Pop versions. These are easier to get than convention exclusives, but still rarer than standard figures.
Target — Mostly 10-inch super-sized “Jumbo” versions. Target has exclusives like:
- Pikachu 10″ (Target)
- Bulbasaur 10″ (Target)
- Charmander 10″ (Target)
- Squirtle 10″ (Target)
- Cubone 10″ (Target)
- Mewtwo 10″ (Target)
- Mew 10″ (Target)
- Lucario 10″ (Target)
GameStop — Usually Flocked versions or paired sets:
- Flocked Pikachu (GameStop)
- Flocked Squirtle (GameStop)
- Pikachu Waving Diamond (GameStop)
Hot Topic — Flocked or special-color versions:
- Glaceon Flocked (Hot Topic)
Amazon — Some soft-color and flocked exclusives:
- Espeon Flocked (Amazon)
- Bulbasaur Soft Color (Amazon)
Chalice Collectibles — Specialty store exclusives:
- Umbreon Flocked (Chalice Collectibles)
Retailer exclusives are easier to grab than convention exclusives because they’re available in stores and online without needing to be at an event. But they still sell out and go up in value over time.
4. Super-Sized Pops — 10″ Jumbo and 18″ Mega
These aren’t always exclusives, but many of them are. Super-sized Funko Pops come in two sizes:
- 10-inch (Jumbo) — Most common super-sized version
- 18-inch (Mega) — Giant size, very rare (the 18-inch Pikachu is the only one in the Pokémon line)
The 10-inch versions are usually Target exclusives. The 18-inch Pikachu is a standard release but costs around $90 now because it’s big and impressive. These look amazing on a shelf and generally hold their value well.
Standard vs Exclusive — Side by Side Comparison
| Standard Pop | Exclusive Pop | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (retail) | ~$13.99–$16.99 | ~$14.99–$30+ |
| Where to buy | Any major store | Specific store / convention only |
| Special finish | Regular paint | Flocked, Diamond, Metallic, Pearlescent |
| Box sticker | No special sticker | Has exclusive sticker |
| Availability | Easy to find anytime | Limited — sells out fast |
| Resale value | Usually stays at retail price | Often goes up significantly |
| Good for beginners? | Yes, perfect | Can be harder to find |
| Good for investing? | Not usually | Convention exclusives especially yes |
How to Identify an Exclusive — The Sticker
The easiest way to tell if a Pokémon Funko Pop is exclusive is to look at the sticker on the front of the box.
- ECCC sticker = Emerald City Comic Con exclusive
- SDCC sticker = San Diego Comic-Con exclusive
- Pokémon Center sticker = Only sold through the Pokémon Center
- Target sticker = Target exclusive
- GameStop sticker = GameStop exclusive
- Hot Topic sticker = Hot Topic exclusive
- Diamond Collection sticker = Diamond glitter variant (usually convention exclusive)
- Flocked sticker = Fuzzy coating variant
- Special Edition sticker = Available through the Funko Shop online
If there’s no sticker, it’s a standard Pop. Simple as that.
The Different Finishes Explained (Quick Guide)
Here’s a quick breakdown of what all those special finishes actually look like:
Flocked — The figure has a soft, fuzzy coating instead of smooth vinyl. Looks like velvet. The Flocked Charmander and Flocked Bulbasaur are fan favorites.
Diamond Collection — The figure is coated in sparkly glitter that catches the light. Looks like a crystal or diamond. The Diamond Vaporeon and Diamond Charmander are the most valuable examples.
Metallic — The figure has a shiny, metallic paint finish. The Metallic Charizard from Wondrous Convention is worth $750 — the most expensive Pokémon Funko Pop ever.
Pearlescent — A shimmery, iridescent finish that changes color in the light, similar to a pearl or holographic Pokémon card. Exclusive to the Pokémon Center.
Silver / Gold Metallic — A specific silver or gold shiny coat. Often used for anniversary versions.
Soft Color — More pastel, muted colors with a cardboard-style box. A newer variant style, like the Amazon-exclusive Bulbasaur Soft Color.
So Which Should YOU Buy?
Here’s the honest answer — it depends on why you’re collecting.
If you just want to display and enjoy: Standard Pops are perfect. They’re affordable, easy to find, and look great on any shelf. Start with your favorite Pokémon in the standard version.
If you want something special-looking: Pearlescent Pokémon Center exclusives are a great pick. They’re only $14.99 at launch, they have a beautiful finish, and the holographic box looks incredible.
If you want to invest: Convention exclusives (ECCC, SDCC, NYCC) are your best bet. Diamond Collection and Flocked variants from conventions have the strongest track record of going up in value.
If you’re a beginner: Start with 2–3 standard Pops of your favorite Pokémon. Then slowly look for one or two exclusive versions as you get more comfortable with the hobby.
If you’re on a tight budget: Standard Pops all the way. A $13.99 Gengar or Pikachu looks just as cool on a shelf as a $150 Diamond Charmander. The love for Pokémon is the same either way.
Final Thoughts
Standard Pokémon Funko Pops and exclusive ones are both worth collecting — just for different reasons. Standards are affordable, easy to find, and perfect for anyone. Exclusives are rarer, look more special, and have more potential to grow in value over time.
The Pokémon Funko Pop line has been going strong since 2018 and keeps growing every year. Whether you’re chasing a $14.99 Pearlescent Pikachu from the Pokémon Center or hunting down a Diamond Vaporeon from ECCC 2021, there’s always something new to look for.
Pick the ones you love. Keep the boxes in good shape. And most importantly — have fun with it.
Happy collecting!
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