Home News Pokémon Card Market Sees Big Shifts: May 9 Report

Pokémon Card Market Sees Big Shifts: May 9 Report

Author : Carter Update : May 22,2025

Another week brings more shifts in the Pokémon single card market as trainers eagerly await the release of Destined Rivals. Fortunately, the preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare at the Pokémon Center managed to dodge a bot takeover this time around.

The most significant price drop this week was for Greninja ex 214/167, which has plummeted by nearly 50% since the start of the year. We're also seeing attractive price reductions across the Obsidian Flames and the elusive 151 expansions. On the other hand, Dragonite V from Evolving Skies has almost doubled in value since January, a testament to its undervalued artwork.

Charizard V Alt Art continues to impress with its depiction of a battle against Venusaur and is steadily climbing in value. Meanwhile, Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art is soaring, gaining an additional $100 in value since the start of the year. Let's delve into the biggest Pokémon TCG climbers and crashers of the week.

Pokémon Card Crashes

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon CompanyWhile we're witnessing a noticeable increase in the value of Sword and Shield era Pokémon Cards, Scarlet and Violet series cards are generally settling into more realistic prices.

Alakazam ex SIR from the 151 expansion is a stunning card, now 34% lower in price than at the beginning of March. There's no reason not to add Uri Geller's Grandad to your collection this year.

Bulbasaur was my first starter Pokémon when I first played Pokémon Blue, so the Bulbasaur IR holds a special place in my heart. It has dropped by a massive 52% since mid-March, making it an excellent opportunity to acquire this beautiful card.

Moving on to Obsidian Flames, Ninetales IR has always been one of the set's best cards. If you're a fan, now is the time to snap it up, as it has crashed by 40% since February to a reasonable $18.17.

### Greninja ex - 214/167

0$411.62 save 33%$275.00 at TCG Player### Alakazam ex - 201/165

0$56.62 save 34%$37.62 at TCG Player### Bulbasaur - 166/165

0$52.82 save 49%$27.00 at TCG Player### Ninetales -199/197

0$30.04 save 40%$18.17 at TCG Player### Charizard ex - 223/197

0$64.80 save 7%$59.99 at TCG PlayerPeople can criticize Obsidian Flames all they want, but the Charizard ex SIR's stained glass Tera form is undeniably cool. It hasn't dropped much since March, but every dollar saved counts.

The biggest crasher this month is Greninja ex SIR, which was once poised to be the most expensive Scarlet and Violet era card. However, Prismatic Evolutions came along and escalated the fear of missing out (FOMO) significantly. It's still a remarkable card holding steady at $275, but imagine paying $411.62 at the end of February. Ouch.

Pokémon Card Climbers

IGN Photo Composite / The Pokémon CompanyMoving on to this week's climbers, Rayquaza VMAX alt art remains one of the crown jewels of the Sword and Shield era. Already valued at over $500, it's now at $649.99 and shows no signs of slowing down. This card could potentially reach the $1,000 mark in a few years, so if you can afford it, it's a worthwhile investment.

There's never enough Kanto love for me, and Charizard V Alt Art captures the essence of a dynamic battle against Venusaur. The angle is fantastic, giving the card a sense of movement, unlike the static poses of many Pokémon cards from the WotC era. It has gained another $40 since January and could easily surpass $200 before the year ends.

### Rayquaza VMAX - 218/203

0$649.99 at TCG Player### Charizard V - 154/172

0$184.61 at TCG Player### Dragonite V

0$225.00 at TCG Player### Greninja ex - 214/167

0$411.62 save 33%$275.00 at TCG PlayerDragonite V Alt Art is one of the highlights of Evolving Skies. A fan favorite, Dragonite can appear adorable or fierce, embodying the full spectrum of its character. This artwork highlights its cute side, which is why it has nearly doubled in value since mid-January, now at a solid $225. Be sure to grab yours before it flies even higher. Don't miss out on last week's article, which featured some incredible cards too.

Pokémon Card Sealed Boosters

If you're dedicated to pulling chase cards yourself, here's what's currently in stock. Be cautious of prices above MSRP, as we're navigating a unique market as Pokémon trainers right now, so avoid overpaying.

Here's the Pokémon TCG full Release Schedule for this year, so you don't miss any releases. Buying singles remains the most cost-effective way to collect, but remember, you don't have to "Catch 'Em All!"

### Surging Sparks Booster Box