Pokémon TCG price watch: X and Y Mega Evolutions rise before the next wave
From Rayquaza’s sky-high spike to Mewtwo’s steady plateau, the X & Y Mega Era is buzzing with collector interest as fans gear up for Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the official Mega Evolution comeback.
The spotlight is swinging back to Mega Evolution Pokémon as hype builds for the upcoming New Mega Evolutions and Phantasmal Flames expansions. Collectors are not waiting around for fresh stock. They are scooping up X & Y era chase cards while they can, and prices are reflecting that rush with several iconic Megas doubling or even tripling since the start of the year.
The biggest story is the nostalgia-fueled spikes on cards like M Rayquaza EX Shiny Full Art and M Gengar EX Secret Rare, which have soared past their January 2025 lows as collectors scramble to lock them in before prices climb further. On the other hand, many other Megas are flattening out, signaling a short-term plateau that makes them attractive entry points before demand explodes.
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With some values stabilizing and others skyrocketing, now looks like the sweet spot for collectors to secure these historic cards before the Mega Evolution era returns in full force.
Pokémon card bumps
M Rayquaza EX Shiny Full Art from Ancient Origins is the undisputed king of the Mega market right now. Its current price sits around $1,450 compared to just $275.15 in January. This card is not only one of the most iconic Megas, but also one of the hardest pulls of the era. Collectors are piling in, and prices have leapt more than fourfold since the start of the year. The surge in Rayquaza has created a ripple effect, with collectors broadening their search to other standout Megas as well.
M Gengar EX Secret Rare from Phantom Forces has followed a similar path. Currently selling for over $400 against a January price of just under $100, it has tripled in value this year. Phantom Gate’s copycat potential was always fun in play, but this card’s real power is in its artwork and rarity. Secret Rare status combined with Gengar’s massive fanbase has pushed it into the spotlight, reinforcing how certain Pokémon with lasting popularity translate directly into collector demand.
M Rayquaza EX (Shiny Full Art)
Current price: $1,450
Market Price: $538.54
Price in January 2025: $275.15M Gengar EX (Secret Rare)
Current price: $415
Market Price: $376.08
Price in January 2025: $90.81M Rayquaza EX (Full Art)
Current price: $656.99
Market Price: $279.64
Price in January 2025: $164.04M Charizard EX (X)
Current price: $349.99
Market Price: $277.94
Price in January 2025: $126.89Primal Groudon EX (Shiny Full Art)
Current price: $349.99
Market Price: $277.94
Price in January 2025: $126.89
M Rayquaza EX Full Art from Roaring Skies has also climbed sharply, moving from around $160 at the start of the year to more than $650 today. The alternate artwork version is riding the same collector wave as the shiny, with nostalgia and scarcity making it one of the safest Mega buys right now.
Meanwhile, M Charizard EX X from Flashfire has jumped from about $125 in January to around $350 today. Flashfire has always been notorious for Charizard collectors, and the Mega X version is seeing renewed demand. Wild Blaze might be reckless in play, but collectors care more about the artwork and rarity that drive its climb. Together, Rayquaza, Gengar, and Charizard are setting the pace for the Mega market in 2025.
Pokémon card cuts
Not all Megas are keeping pace with these heavy hitters. Primal Groudon EX Shiny Full Art from Ancient Origins, while up from its January level, has started to plateau compared to the true megastars of the format. Collector demand is there, but it is lagging behind the explosive gains of Rayquaza and Gengar. Similarly, Primal Groudon EX Omega Full Art from Primal Clash has held steady this year. The card once had competitive relevance thanks to Omega Barrier, but it is not commanding must-have status among collectors in the same way that Rayquaza or Charizard variants are.
M Mewtwo EX Full Art from BREAKthrough tells a similar story. It has seen a significant rise from earlier in the year, but its pace has slowed compared to the top performers. Psychic Infinity remains a fan-favorite attack, but with so many Mewtwo variants available, demand is spread thin.
Primal Groudon EX (Omega Full Art)
Current price: $254.93
Market Price: $179.19
Price in January 2025: $90.60M Mewtwo EX (Full Art)
Current price: $145.04
Market Price: $152.86
Price in January 2025: $37.21M Alakazam EX (Full Art)
Current price: $99.97
Market Price: $91.10
Price in January 2025: $28.85M Charizard EX
Current price: $196
Market Price: $149.04
Price in January 2025: $64.66M Charizard EX (Full Art)
Current price: $247.99
Market Price: $146.34
Price in January 2025: $71.23
M Alakazam EX Full Art from Fates Collide is in the same boat. It has climbed steadily but without the same explosive momentum, making it more of a sleeper buy for collectors who want to secure it before hype catches up. These psychic types remain iconic but are overshadowed by the flashier Rayquaza and Charizard.
Even the iconic M Charizard cards from Generations and Evolutions have shown restraint compared to Rayquaza. Both are trading higher than they were at the beginning of the year, but their climb has been steady rather than meteoric. With so many Charizard variants on the market, some collectors are holding off. Charizard fatigue might be at play here, keeping prices in check. For long-term collectors, this stability may actually be an opportunity to pick up a Charizard without competing against the runaway hype.
Want to pull one of these cards yourself?
Sealed product from the X & Y era has been drying up fast, and Mega Evolution nostalgia is only making it scarcer. Phantom Forces and Roaring Skies booster boxes are especially hot, with prices often topping $2,000 when available. Ancient Origins and Primal Clash boxes are harder to find, pushing Elite Trainer Boxes and tins into collector crosshairs. For buyers, the singles market looks like the smarter entry point right now. Sealed is commanding a heavy premium, while many Megas are plateauing, making them cheaper to pick up before the new Mega Evolution expansions reignite demand.
Christian Wait is a freelance contributor to Mashable. Christian has countless years of gaming and tech journalism experience under his belt, and can usually be found in his office 3D printing or staring at Pokémon cards.
