I check Pokémon TCG prices daily, and I spend way too much of my paycheck on singles—some for the kids, most for me. I even risked my marriage for an LED-lit Pokémon card wall. Worth it.
So, I figured it's time to put that obsession to good use. Every week, I'll break down the biggest risers and fallers in the Pokémon card market—what's crashing, what's climbing, and what’s actually worth your money right now.
As of May 2, prices on cards like Magikarp 203/193 and Pikachu ex 238/191 have nosedived by over 30%, while Rayquaza VMAX and Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat are making moves in the opposite direction. Whether you're hunting bargains or watching the next big spike, here's what to buy and what to keep an eye on this week.
Pokémon Card Crashes
Magikarp 203/193 blew the lid off valuable cards from the Scarlet and Violet era, specifically Paldea Evolved, heading just over $200 back in March. The good news is that this giddy kipper has dropped to $159.99, which is a solid time to bite for me.
Pikachu ex 238/191 kicked off a massive boom in the Pokémon TCG community, with prices going North of $450 in March (are you seeing a trend here, yet?) As more sealed stock rolls in and investor bros not getting the same inflated returns from their scalps, it's deflating the market. This card has dropped 37% to $289.76 as of right now.
I love stamped cards, they remind me of my Fossil pre-release stamped 1st edition Aerodactyl back when I was a kid. So when I realised N's Reshiram was getting a stamped box topper release for Journey Together booster boxes, I was all in on the hype. Now I didn't pay the $69 going rate on release, not even half of that, but $10.94 at a devistating 84% crash is my kind of deal. Snap one up.
Charmander 044 Promo from the Obsidian Flames ETB is the best in-box promo in the Scarlet and Violet era, even more so if you can grab a Pokémon Center stamped one. I'm all about affordability, so we'll stick to the standard promo, which has dropped by 18% in the past couple of weeks from $21.54 to $17.65. In Japanese sets, this card released alongside the Stellar Crown Bulbasaur and Squirtle, so grab the whole set.
If I said the words "Prismatic Evolution bargain" at any other time, i'd probably loose my job. But the Eevee 173 promo from the ETB has crashed by 51% over the past few days, and a bigger 69% from mid-March. Trainers can pick one up right now for $6, and it's beautiful so buy one.
Pokémon Card Climbers
I thought I'd focus on some chase cards here that are below the $500 mark and try to avoid some obvious cards because everyone's watching them who cares anyway.
Umbreon GX has always been a lovely card, featuring the best shiny Eeveelution form (fight me), and it's slowly creeping up in 2025. An 11% rise from $196.49 in January to $221.96 doesn't sound like a lot, but that's an extra $25 and change in value in five months.
Lugia V 186/195 is the best Lugia card in the TCG for me, the detail and atmosphere in this card is stunning. It's holding it's value at $225, a 5% steady climb since Feburary and one to watch for people who have one and plan on having this in their collection until grey hair fully takes hold.
Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat promo is responsible for absolute carnage at the Van Gogh exhibit a while back, which is why TPC distributed more as freebies on Pokémon Center owners. No one saw the price jump on this card comming, which is awesome because I have one. An insane 52% climb has pushed this bad boy to $325 today and it's steady. This same card was going for $155.80 back in Feburary, and that was a jump from around $70-80 last year.
I can't wait for Trainer Gallery cards to come back (I hope they do anyway), they're stunning. Rayquaza VMAX TG20/TG30 is one of my favorite cards in my family collection. I can't help but imagine what it would be like looking up at Rayquazza like this, such an awesome card. It's gone up by 14% since mid-Feburary from $55/77 to $65, And I have a good feeling this will go into the $100 range over the next year as the last bits of Silver Tempest sealed stock dries up. Grab one and thank me later.
Mew ex 053 Promo is one of the best Mew cards around. It's been hovering around the $30 since the start of this year, but what get's me is the cards climb in value from November 2024 at $11.26. It's going to be a slow burner, and sales data shows peaks and troughs in 2025, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing this card shoot up in value next year as content from the 151 Ultra Premium Collection become rarer.
For more on the latest crashes for Pokémon TCG, consider checking out our full roundup of the best of Japan's Glory of Team Rocket set before we're blessed with Destined Rivals at the end of the month.
More Pokémon TCG Deals
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
