As Black Bolt and White Flare prepare to close out the Scarlet & Violet era, collectors are turning their attention to what’s next—and for many, that’s what came before.
The Japanese Championships 2025 revealed Mega Symphonia and Mega Brave as part of the first wave of Mega Expansion set, launching August 1, 2025, in Japan, and coming to English markets later in the year as just “Mega Evolution”.
These sets bring back Mega Evolution ex cards in a new, glimmering style, now as Stage 2 Pokémon that take 3 Prize Cards when knocked out.
With confirmed cards like Mega Gardevoir ex, Mega Lucario ex, and Mega Venusaur ex, we’re officially entering a proper Mega revival, and collectors are wasting no time in grabbing their classic counterparts.
So while Build & Battle promos from Destined Rivals are still making short-term moves, the bigger story is the return of Mega Evolution, and how that’s sending ripples down the market right now. Here’s what’s rising and falling for Pokémon TCG this week.
Pokémon Card Crashers
Charizard ex (151, Special Illustration Rare) has cooled off significantly, dropping to around $200 for the first time in months. After peaking near $300 earlier this year, it’s now sitting around $203.93, a 10% weekly slide that reflects broader correction across popular Illustration Rares.
While insanely popular, the Prismatic Evolutions line is finally coming down from its post-launch highs. Eevee ex (SIR) 167/131 leads that correction with a 12% drop this week at $145.62, and other Evolutions like Sunbreon and Roaring Moon are following suit.
What goes up must come down. Team Rocket’s Tyranitar Prerelease promo surged to $23.25 at its peak and is currently nearly double the price at $39.95. The even rarer Staff-stamped version has taken a massive 78% drop from $142.55 to $79.99 in just a week.
After an explosive start that saw this card nearly double in price to $24.56. After a brief market correction, it’s shot back up to $49.95 currently. The Stamped Staff promo has however gone from $85.49 to a current market value of $71.78.
Misty’s Gyarados (Prerelease) promo quietly dropped from $20.46 at the end of May to a market value of around $10 this week as attention shifted to flashier cards like Mimikyu and Typhlosion. The Stamped Staff promo has had a similar crash from $94.41 to a current market value of $68.90.
Pokémon Card Climbers
This psychic powerhouse M Alakazam EX (Full Art) 118/124 is surging in value. Once a $19.88 card back in March, it’s now commanding prices around $99, a staggering 400%+ increase. With Mega Gardevoir ex revealed for MEGA Symphonia, expect this psychic-type to keep drawing collector attention.
Always a fan favorite, M Rayquaza EX (Full Art – Roaring Skies 105/108) is riding the Mega wave, up from $174.24 to $207.98 in recent months. With its high attack ceiling and sleek art, this is one to watch as MEGA-themed decks return.
Spooky season came early. M Gengar EX (Phantom Forces 35/119) has surged from $66.39 to $139.99 since March, more than doubling in value. Its ability to copy your opponent’s attacks makes it a favorite among collectors and casual players alike.
Even non-full-art Mega Charizards are riding the hype. M Charizard EX (Generations 12/83) been steadily climbing as collectors chase all iterations of the iconic fire dragon. With nostalgia at full burn, expect continued upward pressure.
M Charizard EX (Full Art – Evolutions 101/108) has it all. Bold artwork , massive damage, and iconic status make this card a standout. With Mega Evolutions about to headline again, is one of the most sought-after cards of the moment, now commanding well over $100.
Last Weeks Crashers and Climbers (June 16)
Destined Rivals was up and down, making for a volatile market for singles right now. Make sure to ride a wave downward for your chase cards right now, as it’s incredibly easy to pay over the odds with chancers on the secondary market.
The Most Expensive Pokémon Cards In Packs Right Now
We’re not talking about vintage or out of print sets, all of these are incredible chase cards you can pull from booster packs available now.
You can probably put money on their value going up as soon as their respective sets go out of print. If you don’t want to spend mega money ripping open packs, market values on these single cards are quite reasonable for the most part.
Destined Rivals Sealed Stock
We’re look to market values for Destined Rivals at the moment, seeing as big box stores are either fresh out of stock or charging over MSRP and what they’re worth on the secondary market.
So here’s the full lineup to pop on your shelf or rip open like THAT Tyranitar. If you know you know.
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.
