Rainbow Rare Pokémon cards emerged as a highly sought-after variant during the Sun & Moon and Sword & Shield eras, spanning from 2017 to 2023. These distinctive cards feature full-art designs of Pokémon and Supporter cards, enveloped in a striking rainbow foil coloration. While they boasted lower pull rates and initially commanded higher prices, their aesthetic sometimes drew criticism for obscuring the original artwork.
Despite this, they represented a significant chase for many collectors, creating a unique niche in the Pokémon TCG landscape. Ultimately, The Pokémon Company International chose to discontinue Rainbow Rares with the Scarlet & Violet Series, making them a distinct chapter in the game’s history. Here are some key insights into the 10 most valuable Rainbow Rare Pokémon cards right now.
10. Charizard VSTAR #174 – Brilliant Stars
This Charizard VSTAR quickly became a highlight in the Brilliant Stars set, introducing a powerful new mechanic to the game. Its Star Blaze attack, capable of dealing massive damage, made it a formidable force in battles. Though many other VSTAR Pokémon have seen competitive play, few rival the sheer appeal and collectibility of this particular Rainbow Rare Charizard. It remains a coveted item for fans and collectors alike.
9. Charizard & Braixen GX #251 – Cosmic Eclipse
This Tag Team card united two fan favorites, Charizard and Braixen, in a visually stunning Rainbow Rare. As part of the highly popular Tag Team era, these cards have only grown in demand since their initial release. With Cosmic Eclipse packs becoming increasingly scarce, finding a pristine version of this card is a true challenge. Consequently, its market value continues to see significant appreciation, often fetching well over a hundred dollars.
8. Rayquaza GX #177 – Celestial Storm
Rayquaza, a beloved legendary Pokémon, is featured in this striking Rainbow Rare from the Celestial Storm set. Despite Celestial Storm generally being considered a less impactful set, this specific Rayquaza GX stands out as one of the few cards from that era to maintain considerable value, often exceeding a hundred dollars. Its rarity within a set with a lower overall print run has made it particularly difficult to acquire. As older sets become less common, expect its value to climb further.
7. Eevee & Snorlax GX #191 – Team Up
The Team Up set often paired Pokémon from different generations, but this card brought together two iconic first-generation Pokémon: Eevee and Snorlax. Both are immensely popular Normal-type Pokémon, making their Tag Team card an instant classic. This unique pairing and their enduring popularity contributed to the card’s strong desirability from the outset. It remains a highly sought-after collectible.
6. Pikachu VMAX #188 – Vivid Voltage
Affectionately known as “chunky Pikachu,” this Pikachu VMAX was the undisputed star of the Vivid Voltage set. Released during the peak of the pandemic-driven collecting boom, the allure of pulling this Secret Rare drove immense pack openings. While this led to a saturation of other cards from the set, the Rainbow Rare Pikachu VMAX has retained its significant appeal. Collectors are still eager to open packs of Vivid Voltage in hopes of finding this iconic card.
5. Reshiram & Charizard GX #217 – Unbroken Bonds
Charizard once again teams up, this time with the legendary Reshiram, in this powerful Rainbow Rare Tag Team card. Known for its incredibly strong attacks, this card even inspired a dominant “ReshiZard” deck in competitive play. Despite the release of several alternative art versions, this Rainbow Rare remains the most prized among collectors. It consistently commands a high price, often surpassing a hundred and fifty dollars.
4. Charizard VMAX #74 – Champion’s Path
Similar to Vivid Voltage, Champion’s Path was a set released amidst the collecting frenzy, boasting highly coveted chase cards, including this Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX. Unlike standard sets, Champion’s Path didn’t offer booster packs for individual purchase, requiring collectors to buy special Gym Leader or Elite Trainer Box products. While other cards in the set saw their value drop, both Charizard variants from Champion’s Path have maintained their significant worth due to the scarcity of sealed product.
3. Lugia GX #227 – Lost Thunder
Lugia has a storied history of highly valuable and rare cards, dating back to its first appearance in Neo Genesis. This Lugia GX from Lost Thunder continues that tradition, standing as a testament to the Diving Pokémon’s enduring popularity. Recent releases, particularly the stunning Lugia cards in Silver Tempest, have further reignited interest in this specific Rainbow Rare, contributing to its notable price increase. It’s a consistently valuable card for any collector.
2. Mewtwo & Mew GX #242 – Unified Minds
Bringing together two of the most iconic and beloved Legendary Pokémon, Mewtwo and Mew, this Rainbow Rare from Unified Minds is a true gem. Both Pokémon have starred in movies and games, representing contrasting aspects of evolution and technology. Their combined power on this Tag Team card also made for a dominant force in competitive play. While the regular full-art version is still moderately valuable, this Secret Rare variant commands a significantly higher price, often well over a hundred dollars.
1. Charizard GX #150 – Burning Shadows
As evident throughout this list, Charizard frequently receives a Secret Rare treatment to generate excitement for new sets. This Charizard GX from Burning Shadows stands out as the most expensive Rainbow Rare ever printed and one of the earliest examples of a Rainbow Rare Charizard. From its introduction, this card’s Crimson Storm attack delivered immense damage, making it a formidable presence. Its menacing artwork and status as a quintessential Secret Rare make it a must-have for dedicated Charizard enthusiasts, solidifying its place as the ultimate collector’s prize.
Rainbow Rare Pokémon cards, while no longer in production, hold a unique place in the history of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Their distinct aesthetic and often challenging pull rates made them true “chase” cards for a period, and as these cards become rarer over time, their appeal to collectors only continues to grow.
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