Almost all Pokémon fans attach special sentimental value to the Pokémon generation, which was the current one when they first got into the franchise, be it via the TCG, video games, anime, or manga. After all, though it’s a cliché, there’s a reason that “you never forget your first” is a well-known idiom—it applies to just about everything; Pokémon generations are included, too.

Thus, to capitalize on the nostalgia factor, Creatures Inc. has twice released a Pokémon TCG set deliberately crafted to appeal to those who grew up with a specific Pokémon generation. The first of these was Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a], which was based on Gen 1; the second, dual set Black Bolt [SV11B] and White Flare [SV11W], which was centered around Gen 5.

Given their obvious similarities, this therefore leads to the question: how do these two sets stack up against each other?

Pokémon Card 151 vs Black Bolt / White Flare: Target Audience

The most obvious point to bring up when comparing Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] and Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] is the target audience. Obviously, Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] is geared towards those who grew up with Gen 1, while Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] is targeted at those who started out with Gen 5.

Since the vast majority of Pokémon fans first got into Pokémon during their childhood, we will define each set’s target age range as “people aged between 6 and 11 during the generation the set refers to”.

Gen 1 ran from 1996 to 1999, while Gen 5 ran from 2010 to 2013. As such, Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] is most likely to appeal to those born between 1984 and 1993, while Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] would be most likely to draw interest from those born between 1998 and 2007.

Essentially, Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] mainly targets the childhood nostalgia of Millennials while Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] does likewise with that of Gen Z. (More on that later.)

Pokémon Card 151 vs Black Bolt / White Flare: Card Comparison

Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet Enhanced Expansion Pack “pokemon card 151” Box

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Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet Expansion Pack “Black Bolt” Box

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Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet Expansion Pack “White Flare” Box

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Another key difference between Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] and Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] is the content of the set. Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] contains a total of 210 cards, including 45 secret rares. While this is an impressive figure, it pales in comparison to the respective figures from Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W]. Across both halves of the dual set, there are a total of 348 cards, including a whopping 176 secret rares. Not only that, every Gen 5 Pokémon has a secret rare version.

Both sets include Poké Ball Mirror as well as the rarer and more expensive Master Ball Mirror versions of selected cards. These are special holofoil versions which feature Poké Ball and Master Ball prints respectively on the cards’ lower halves. Although a Master Ball Mirror card is neither guaranteed in any Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] or Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] booster pack, the prospect of landing one elevates demand for both sets’ booster packs.

Pokémon Card 151 vs Black Bolt / White Flare: Standout Cards

Reshiram ex BWR [SV11W 174/086](Expansion Pack “White Flare”)

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Zekrom ex BWR [SV11B 174/086](Expansion Pack “Black Bolt”)

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Reshiram ex SAR [SV11W 168/086](Expansion Pack “White Flare”)

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Zekrom ex SAR [SV11B 169/086](Expansion Pack “Black Bolt”)

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Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] can be said to be a very “top-heavy” set as its value is carried almost entirely by four cards: the versions of the Reshiram ex and Zekrom ex cards which come in the all-new rarity of Black White Rare (BWR)—a rarity beyond even the coveted Special Art Rare (SAR) as well as their respective SAR versions. However, beyond those cards, the value of the set’s cards drop off a cliff; even the rest of the set’s SARs are relatively affordable. That being said, despite their low price tags, there are nonetheless multiple impressive pickups such as Kyurem ex, Meloetta ex, and Hydreigon ex, as well as Supporter card duo N’s Plot and Hilda.

Mew ex SAR[SV2a 205/165](Enhanced Expansion Pack “Pokemon Card 151”)

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Charizard ex SAR [SV2a 201/165](Enhanced Expansion Pack “Pokemon Card 151”)

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Erika’s Invitation SAR[SV2a 206/165](Enhanced Expansion Pack “Pokemon Card 151”)

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Pikachu C: Master Ball Mirror[SV2a 025/165](Enhanced Expansion Pack “Pokemon Card 151”)

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The standout card from Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] is the SAR Mew ex card; it carries a price tag similar to those of the SAR Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex cards from Black Bolt [SV11B] and White Flare [SV11W], respectively. Additionally, beyond the set’s priciest cards, the rest of the Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] SARs tend to have a value exceeding those of their Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] counterparts. These cards include Erika’s Invitation, Zapdos ex, and the three final evolutions of the Gen 1 starters in their Pokémon-ex forms: Venusaur ex, Charizard ex, and Blastoise ex. On top of that, the top picks among the Master Ball Mirror cards from Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] are also far more expensive than those of Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W].

Thus, as far as the highest-value cards are concerned, Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] can be said to be a far “deeper” set than Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W].

Pokémon Card 151 vs Black Bolt / White Flare: Fan Reception

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one’s point of view), for Gen 5 fans, the fan reception of Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] so far hasn’t come close to that of Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a]. When Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] was first announced, pre-orders came in at a level that has rarely been seen in Pokémon TCG history.

Then, once it made its way to stores in June 2023, queues stretched for what seemed to be almost endless lengths as buyers, mostly nostalgia-filled Millennials, sought to reclaim a piece of their childhood with those cards. Today, Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] is regarded as one of the most iconic Pokémon TCG sets of all time.

While Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] hasn’t been an outright bust, it’s not off to the best of starts so far when it comes to living up to pre-release hype. Why is this so, one may ask?

Well, let’s go back to the prior point on the target audience. Yes, this is indeed a nostalgia set just like Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a]. However, the reality is that Gen Z, by and large, just doesn’t love Pokémon like Millennials do—and this is especially so about the TCG.

This is because in the late 2000s and early 2010s, when Gen Z were kids, Pokémon—and especially the Pokémon TCG—was looked down upon and seen as “uncool” by many. Most of the earlier Millennial fans had now “aged out” of Pokémon; as for the Gen Z kids themselves, many would pretend not to like Pokémon in front of their peers, only secretly enjoying the TCG or video games to avoid potential mockery. Even many local card store (LCS) owners of the era have spoken about how back then, they often struggled to sell even one Pokémon TCG booster box. It wasn’t until the release of mobile game Pokémon Go and, a few years later, the Covid-19 pandemic that the Pokémon franchise got a “second wind”, leading to its renaissance.

That said, White Flare [SV11W] specifically does have one thing in its favor which could end up significantly elevating its status: a misprinted version of the BWR Reshiram ex card. With its text layers off-kilter all the way down its right side, this is the card that everyone who opens a White Flare [SV11W] booster pack is after. Since it’s a misprint, it will inevitably be corrected, meaning that the number of misprinted copies will be permanently limited and causing that card’s value to likely soar. Will it be enough to eventually put Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] on the same level as Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a]? Only time will tell.

In any case, regardless of whether you started out with Gen 1, Gen 5, or any other generation, we’re sure you’ll be impressed by our selection of Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] and Black Bolt [SV11B] / White Flare [SV11W] cards on the SNKRDUNK app. Even if none of these cards happen to be from an era that evokes nostalgia in you, we’re certain that you’ll find just the cards to indulge your inner child.

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