Best Shiny Pokémon Cards by Generation to Consider Buying | SNKRDUNK Magazine

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22nd May 2025 EDT FEATURES

Best Shiny Pokémon Cards by Generation to Consider Buying

A list of some of the best Shiny Pokémon cards from each generation that collectors and players might consider buying or adding to their collection.

Since the inception of the Pokémon TCG, the franchise has introduced a wide variety of Shiny Pokémon cards, captivating collectors and fans around the world. These rare and visually striking variants featuring alternate color palettes and usually special foil treatments, have since become some of the most sought-after treasures by collectors in the hobby, celebrated not just for their rarity but also for their artistic appeal—and sometimes even gameplay value in their respective tournament-legal windows.

What Are Shiny Pokémon Cards?

A Shiny Pokémon is a rare variant of a Pokémon species that features an alternate color palette compared to the standard appearance of the Pokémon itself. These unique colorations are purely aesthetic and do not affect the Pokémon’s stats or abilities. Shiny Pokémon were first introduced in the Generation II games Pokémon Gold and Silver; they have since become a coveted aspect of the franchise.

Shiny Pokémon Cards — Standard Mew

Shiny Pokémon Cards — Standard Mew

Best Shiny Pokémon Cards to Consider Buying

Over the years, each generation of Pokémon has brought its respective lineup of Shiny cards, many of which have left a lasting and memorable impression on the community. From nostalgic classics to modern masterpieces, the Pokémon TCG has continued to raise the bar with every release they created.

Now, let’s explore some of the most iconic and beloved Shiny Pokémon cards ever produced, organized by generation. Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon card collector or a curious newcomer, join us as we dive into the world of Shiny Pokémon and uncover the highlights generation by generation!

Generation II

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Shining Celebi

Card Number: 251

From: Darkness, and to Light…

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Shining Charizard

Card Number: 006

From: Darkness, and to Light…

The Shining Celebi card and Shining Charizard are part of Darkness, and to Light…, the fourth and final main expansion of the Neo Series in the Japanese Pokémon TCG. Released in 2001, this set marked the culmination of the Neo Era, which showcases many fan-favorite Pokémon in their Shiny forms.

The value of the Shining Celebi and Shining Charizard cards has steadily increased over time, with prices largely depending on their condition and grading. Almost a quarter of a century after the set’s release, finding a PSA 10-graded copy of either continues to be exceptionally difficult, thus causing their prices to soar.

If you ever chance upon a copy of either out in the wild, be sure to grab it as neither will sit there for long.

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Shining Gyarados

Card Number: 130

From: Awakening Legends

This Shining Gyarados card is part of Awakening Legends, the third main expansion of the Neo Series in the Japanese Pokémon TCG. Released in Japan on 23 November 2000, this set introduced the concept of Shiny Pokémon cards featuring alternate-color Pokémon. They were Basic Pokémon and limited to one per deck.

This card holds a special place in the hearts of collectors, being one of the first Shining Pokémon cards ever released. Its unique artwork and rarity have contributed to its desirability. Almost 25 years since launch, finding a copy in pristine condition has become increasingly rare. Consequently, PSA 10-graded have seen a steady increase in value, driven by their scarcity and the card’s iconic status among collectors of Pokémon TCG.

Generation III

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Charizard ☆

Card Number: 052/068

From: Offense and Defense of the Furthest Ends

This Charizard ☆ card is part of Offense and Defense of the Furthest Ends, the penultimate expansion of the third generation of the Japanese Pokémon TCG. Released on 29 June 2006, this set included Delta Species Pokémon which featured altered types and unique attributes.

This particular Charizard ☆ card stands out due to its Gold Star rarity and Dark type, diverging from Charizard’s traditional Fire type. Charizard has long held an iconic status among many Pokémon TCG collectors, and this particular card is no exception. Its value has seen consistent growth, especially for high-grade copies.

As a result, PSA 10-graded copies are highly sought after, with their combination of nostalgia, limited availability, and Charizard’s enduring popularity holding their place as a top-tier collector’s item from the Neo era.

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Rayquaza ☆

Card Number: 067/082

From: Clash of the Blue Sky

This Rayquaza ☆ card is part of Clash of the Blue Sky, the second expansion of the Japanese Pokémon TCG’s PCG era. Released on 1 July 2004, this set is based on Pokémon Emerald; it spotlights Rayquaza and Deoxys.

As the Legendary Pokémon featured on the cover of Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza has remained a fan favorite since its debut. This card features Rayquaza ☆ in its Shiny form—one of the most iconic Shinies of all time. Nearly 21 years since its release, ungraded copies of this card in peak condition have become exceptionally rare. Due to the card’s scarcity and high demand among collectors, Rayquaza ☆ can be regarded as a true “Holy Grail.”

Generation IV

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Dialga

Card Number: 074/L-P

From: L-P Promotional cards

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Suicune

Card Number: 063/L-P

From: L-P Promotional cards

These Dialga and Suicune cards are part of the L-P Promotional Cards, a series of Japanese promotional cards linked with the LEGEND era of cards, the second portion of the Pokémon TCG’s fourth generation which started with HeartGold Collection [L1] and SoulSilver Collection [L1]. These cards were distributed between September 2009 till August 2010 through special campaigns, with Dialga being part of the Legendary Pokémon Present Campaign and Suicune available via the Shiny Pokémon Present Campaign.

With these cards increasingly difficult to find in the market, especially in top condition, PSA 10-graded copies can usually fetch prices close to US$1,000. Even though those Shiny Pokémon cards might not be as iconic as some of the others on this list, they nevertheless more than justify their hefty price tags.

Generation V

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Charizard

Card Number: 077/070

From:
Plasma Gale [BW7]

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Blastoise

Card Number: 078/070

From:
Plasma Gale [BW7]

These Charizard and Blastoise cards are part of Plasma Gale [BW7], the seventh main expansion from the Japanese Pokémon TCG’s fifth generation, released on 14 September 2012. Both Charizard and Blastoise are Ultra Rare (UR) cards in this expansion, showcasing unique holographic designs that have captivated collectors into adding them to their collections.

These two Pokémon likely need no introduction as they rank among the most iconic and widely beloved in the entire franchise, boasting some of the largest fan followings. With their high popularity and scarcity in the market today, these two Shiny Pokémon cards continue to command high prices.

Generation VI

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: M Gengar EX

Card Number: 079/XY-P

From: XY-P Promotional Cards

Released in Japan as one of the XY-P Promotional cards, this Gengar XY-P Promotional card was given to customers who purchased at least 1,500 JPY (~1,740 JPY / ~US$12 today) worth of merchandise during the White Mega Gengar Campaign held from 13 September to 14 October 2014.

This M Gengar ex XY-P promotional card highlights the Mega Evolution mechanic introduced in Pokémon X and Y, allowing Pokémon to temporarily evolve into a more powerful form during battle. As this card was never officially released outside Japan, it has become a highly sought-after collectible, especially among enthusiasts who specialize in rare and exclusive promotional cards.

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: M Gardevoir EX

Card Number: 057/054

From: Cruel Traitor [XY11]

This M Gardevoir-EX card was from Cruel Traitor [XY11], one half of a dual Japanese expansion set alongside Fever-Burst Fighter [XY11]. Released in 2016, this expansion features the unique “dual-type” mechanic, a nod to the Delta Species cards of the past, and featuring several fan-favorites in their Mega-Evolved forms. A Super Rare (SR) card, M Gardevoir-EX combines striking Full Art visuals with competitive power over the duration of its tournament legality.

Over the years, this card has gained traction among collectors for its artwork, rarity, and status as a Mega Evolution of a popular fan-favorite Pokémon. As part of a limited print run, mint-condition versions of this card, particularly those graded PSA 10, are steadily increasing in market value.

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: M Gyarados EX

Card Number: 082/080

From: Rage of the Broken Heavens [XY9]

The M Gyarados EX card is part of Rage of the Broken Heavens [XY9], the ninth main expansion of the Japanese XY Series. Released in 2015, the set was later adapted into the international BREAKpoint expansion. Rage of the Broken Heavens introduced powerful BREAK Evolutions and had Shiny Gyarados as the set’s central figure.

Gyarados is among the Pokémon with a dedicated following in the Pokémon TCG community. With its value still under US$1,000, this Shiny Gyarados card remains one of the few Shiny Pokémon cards that many collectors are actively pursuing, as it is still relatively affordable at the time of this article compared to other cards listed here.

Generation VII

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Umbreon GX

Card Number: 229/150

From:
Ultra Shiny

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Sylveon GX

Card Number: 238/150

From:
Ultra Shiny

The Umbreon GX and Sylveon GX cards are part of the set GX Ultra Shiny [SM8b], a special expansion released during the Sun & Moon Era of the Pokémon TCG in Japan on 2 November 2018. These cards are in a rarity of Secret Rare (SR) and stand out with their dazzling Full Art Shiny variants that have become some of the most sought-after cards among collectors.

What drives the value of these two cards is their ever-growing fanbase. As members of the beloved Eeveelution family, Umbreon and Sylveon stand out as two of the most popular evolutions, with Umbreon taking the top spot, closely followed by Sylveon. Thanks to their high demand and widespread appeal among Pokémon fans, the value of these Shiny Pokémon cards has been steadily rising over time. Even raw, ungraded copies are being scooped up by collectors, as long as the price is fair and within reach.

Generation VIII

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Charizard VMAX

Card Number: 308/190

From: Shiny Star V [S4a]

The Charizard VMAX card is part of Shiny Star V [S4a], released in Japan in November 2020 as the fourth subset of the Pokémon TCG’s eighth generation. Shiny Star V was designed heavily and released, featuring a large amount of reprinted cards, with particular focus on Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX including this Shiny Charizard VMAX card.

Charizard has long been a symbol of prestige in the Pokémon TCG, and this Shiny version of its VMAX form continues that legacy, leading to its value becoming elevated. With its black-scaled appearance and dynamic artwork, the card quickly became a must-have for serious Charizard collectors. As of the time this article is published, the Charizard VMAX card remains very affordable for most collectors—including you, if you’re considering adding it to your collection.

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Mew

Card Number: 030/028

From: 25th Anniversary Collection [S8a]

To commemorate 25 years of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, a special Japanese subset was released in 2021 known as the 25th Anniversary Collection [S8a]. Within the set was this Ultra Rare (UR) Mew card that stands out not only for its radiant golden foil and holographic finish but also for its representation of the timeless Mythical Pokémon that many collectors and players love.

In terms of the card’s value, Mew has always occupied a special place in the Pokémon universe as the origin of all Pokémon DNA, and this card emphasizes its mystique through striking visual design and competitive utility. As part of a celebration that resonated deeply with fans of all generations, this Mew card has quickly become one of the most sought-after pulls from the set when it first released. With a pull rate of 1 in 16 booster packs, the PSA graded copy of this card has gradually increased overtime due to the rarity and demand for it.

Are you still thinking about picking up this card? Now might be the perfect time, especially since it’s already been four years since the set was released.

Generation IX

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Mew ex

Card Number: 347/190

From:
Shiny Treasure ex

Shiny Pokémon Cards

Card Name: Gardevoir ex

Card Number: 348/190

From:
Shiny Treasure ex

The Mew ex and Gardevoir ex cards are part of the set Shiny Treasure ex [SV4a], a special expansion released during the Scarlet & Violet Era of the Pokémon TCG in Japan on 1 December 2023. Shiny Treasure ex [SV4a] features a large roster of Shiny Pokémon cards including Mew ex and Gardevoir ex which both appear as Special Art Rare (SAR) cards with Full Art Shiny treatments, showcasing their alternate-color forms in vivid detail.

These two cards draw significant attention from collectors due to their strong popularity and lasting relevance within the Pokémon franchise. Mew, as one of the original Mythical Pokémon, holds a timeless appeal and is frequently ranked among the most beloved Pokémon of all time. Gardevoir on the other hand, known for its elegant design and loyal fan following, also enjoys a consistently high ranking in popularity polls. Their competitive utility in the TCG, combined with the stunning Shiny artwork in this set, makes both cards highly desirable. Collectors are actively seeking out these SAR versions as key highlights of the Shiny Treasure ex [SV4a] expansion.

Since both Shiny Pokémon cards are classified as SAR cards, the odds of pulling them from a booster box are relatively low. As a result, their rarity and strong demand have driven up their prices since their release in 2023.

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