Fortnite developers Epic Games have confirmed they’ll be redeploying the ‘Peaceful Hips’ emote added to the battle royale as part of a crossover with superhero show Peacemaker, but with some modifications. This follows the dance being pulled from the game earlier this week, due to Epic’s concerns about “creative intentions” in the aftermath of a big plot twist in the TV show.
It’s all well and good to grab ridiculously expensive Pokémon TCG cards regardless of the climate, and I’m absolutely writhing in jealousy at those who can.
But imagine going back in time and pulling one of those epic chase cards straight off the shelf? Of course, you could today if you hate your bank account that much, but what about the most expensive Pokémon cards in packs right now?
I’m talking about Pokémon TCG bangers that you can pull in a booster pack today, and there are loads. We’re focusing on Mega Evolution, Black Bolt & White Flare, Destined Rivals, Prismatic Evolutions, Twilight Masquerade, and Surging Sparks for today, so let’s have a deeper look at the mad bangers you could pull from an in-print Pokémon TCG booster pack.
Just to note, the chances of pulling these cards are extremely slim, so if you plan on spending massive amounts of money on Booster Bundles, Booster Boxes, and ETBs, bear in mind that the actual value of the card itself is usually cheaper than ripping packs. Unless you’re mega lucky, of course.
This new Special Illustration Rare of Mega Lucario ex currently fetches about $280, and it’s easy to see why.
With Aura Jab accelerating Fighting Energy and Mega Brave hitting for a massive 270, Lucario slots perfectly into aggressive decks.
The art, by 5ban Graphics, depicts Lucario mid-leap with fierce energy bursts against a Mega Venusaur, a dynamic visual that mirrors its high-impact playstyle.
Both sitting as the one of the highest-priced cards in Mega Evolution, and being the most popular, it’s not difficult to understand why this Mega Gardevoir ex is the biggest chase card in the set.
Gardevoir’s Overflowing Wishes accelerates Psychic Energy across your bench, while Mega Symphonia scales into massive damage with enough Energy in play.
Takuya’s art envelops the card in a symphony of pinks and whites, making it as enchanting as it is powerful in Psychic archetypes.
Pikachu ex SIR is partially to blame for the Pokémon TCG boom that kicked off this time last year, and is still rocking on today. After peaking at $485 at the end of 2024, it’s finally stabalized at a much for reasonable $300 at the time of writing.
It’s a good time to snap it up, if you’ve got the cash, but the amount of nostalgia and detailed yet soft artwork on this card will make it climb back up as the Scarlet and Violet era moves into the rearview mirror.
Greninja ex SIR is my favorite in this article as I have it graded in a 10 and I’m being completely bias. Joking aside (I’m not) but this is one of the best artworks outside of Prismatic Evolutions in the Scarlet and Violet era.
Twilight Masquerade was a slept on set in my opinion, but the chances of pulling this are stacked. If you have the money upfront, i’d put it into this card instead of trying to rip packs. But I also obviously hate having fun, so the choice is yours.
It’s such a shame Fairy typing didn’t come back for Sylveon ex SIR, because I can’t think of a more Fairy type Pokémon card ever. It’s another stunner with a cute stance and a pastel color pallete that just makes it. There’s that much pink it just works, a fantastic card and its easy to see why it’s over $400, especially as it’s one of the most popular Eeveelutions.
The new Black White Rare versions of Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex combine the strong movesets of their Special Illustration Rare counterparts with a prestige look worthy of their legendary status. Zekrom ex uses Slash for [CC] as an easy setup, while Voltage Burst for [LLC] scales with your opponent’s Prize cards, offsetting its 30 recoil thanks to 230 HP and synergy with Flaaffy or Miraidon ex.
Reshiram ex mirrors this on the Fire side, with Slash for [2] into Blaze Burst at [1RR], hitting 130 plus 50 per Prize card taken while discarding just one Energy. Both serve as late-game swing attackers that slot neatly into Lightning or Fire builds.
What sets them apart is the new Black White Rare treatment. The monochrome foil gives a trophy-like finish that makes them true chase pulls, striking a balance between collector prestige and competitive play. They’re the rare kind of cards you can sleeve up to win games or showcase as centerpiece collectibles.
Victini as a Black White Rare feels special because it combines flashy collector appeal with real deck potential. At just 80 HP it’s fragile, but V-Force hits for 120 damage with only [RR] if you keep your Bench full, making it a sneaky closer in fast Fire builds that flood the field early.
The monochrome foil treatment looks incredible and gives Victini a prestige feel that stands out, while still being a card you’ll want to try competitively just for the thrill of pulling off big trades with such a tiny attacker. The alternate 172/086 version from the White Flare half of the set is essentially the same card, with a similar price value as well.
What a beast of a card! Mewtwo ex SIR captured that Mewtwo’s Revenge energy so hard, immense amounts of nostalgia in this card for me. It looks like everyone agrees considering it’s currently around $450. Destined Rivals cards are up and down day after day, so no doubt we’ll see this settle at a cheaper pricepoint before it crossed the vintage checkpoint in years to come.
According to TCGPlayer’s Mega Evolution pull rate data, these “Mega Hyper Rare” cards (what a bizarre rarity name by way) on average only appear one in every 1 out of every 1260 packs of Mega Evolution.
That’s around 35 booster boxes, before you find even potentially find a single one of these cards. Holy bankruptcy, Batman!
The gold finish, courtesy of 5ban Graphics, turns these cards into a gleaming centrepiece. Competitive players want it, collectors covet it, and together they’ve pushed it to the very peak.
The golden Mega Hyper Rare Mega Lucario ex card is topping Pokemon TCG listings charts at a staggering $600 market value, with some listings reaching $1000 or more.
Just like its gold-finished Mega Lucario counterpart, this painfully elusive Mega Gardevoir ex is also sitting at around a $500 market price, with some listings even reaching $1200 right now as well.
Even after Destined Rivals, Black Bolt/White Flare, AND Mega Evolution, this is still the undisputed champ of rare cards. We always knew it was going to be insanely priced, and we needed a cheaper Umbreon chase card after Umbreon VMAX (Moonbreon).
Granted, it’s still a mental market price, and still sitting around $1,000 right now. But it won’t get cheaper solely because it’s Umbreon and almost anything linked to this dark type Eeveelution holds its value, trust me on this. If you’re brave enough to drop $1,000 on Prismatic Eeveelutions boosters, or even this card standalone, I salute your efforts, and your bank account.
Look here’s the thing, Pokémon cards are expensive. And it can be hard for us to hit absolutely everything that’s worth chasing right now. We only have so much time in the day! But, I still thought it would be worth mentioning several other highly sought after and valuable cards that just missed out on the top ten list.
With new sets coming out every few months, this list can get shaken up a lot, so it’s worth bookmarking and even checking back in every so often to see what else is skyrocketing in value right now.
Highlights from my honorable mentions this time around include Destined Rivals hot shots Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, and Team Rocket’s Moltres ex, alongside some brand new entries from new series Mega Evolution, such as Mega Venusaur ex which is priced around $220 right now, and the new Mega Latias ex, also sitting at around $200 right now as well.
We also can’t finish up without a brief mention of Prismatic Evolutions’ Eeveelutions. The money in these chase cards is insane, and it always will be, which is why these need a dedicated section to themselves.
One of my favorite cards across the whole TCG is Jolteon ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions. There’s been some banger Jolteon Cards in the past, for me that would be Jolteon from the Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery and the Jolteon V Sword and Shield Promo Card, but this one has unlimited energy. Just look at how expressive this card is, perfectly showcasing Jolteons speed and agility with one of the coolest backgrounds i’ve seen in a Pokémon card.
Another beautiful pastel artwork with Espeon ex SIR. On top of Espeon being a fan favorite, it’s easy to see why this card is now over $300. I’ve never seen that many shades of purple in such a small space before, such a stunning piece of art, imagine pulling this, getting a 10 then getting it in your slabbed collection? Stuff of dreams.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
This article includes contributions from Robert Anderson and Ben Williams.
Starbreeze has canceled Project Baxter, its co-op Dungeons & Dragons game, laid off a significant portion of its development team, and announced plans to double down on its Payday franchise.
Project Baxter was announced in December 2023 as an Unreal Engine 5 D&D game that would “carry the signature Starbreeze cornerstones of co-operative multiplayer, lifetime commitment through a Games as a Service-model, community engagement and a larger than life experience.”
The plan then was to launch Project Baxter on all major platforms in 2026 with crossplay. But news has been scarce, with a social media post showing off a single in-engine image in September 2024.
In November last year, Starbreeze said it was still hiring for Project Baxter, with work on the game continuing “at full speed.” “Internally, we have weekly playtests of Baxter, and active discussions with a number of industry-leading players regarding potential collaborations around Baxter’s development and launch,” the studio said at the time. As of November 2024, Starbreeze had 191 total employees, most of which were based at its head office in Stockholm, Sweden.
The decision to cancel Project Baxter has cost the Swedish company SEK 255 million (approx. $27.2 million) in a write-down of development costs.
CEO Adolf Kristjansson called it a “difficult but necessary decision,” but failed to mention any particular issues with the development of Project Baxter that might have factored in.
“Our strategy is clear: Payday is one of the most iconic IPs in gaming, with unmatched reach and potential,” Kristjansson said in a prepared statement. “By focusing our investment and talent here, we can accelerate delivery, engage players with more content, and reinforce Starbreeze’s position as the clear leader in the heisting genre. This is about sharpening our focus to create the strongest long-term value for our players, our people, and our shareholders.”
“Part” of the Baxter team will be redeployed across Starbreeze’s projects, mostly within Payday, but around 44 full-time employees across staff and contractors will lose their jobs.
“We are doubling down on what our players love – and what we do best – owning the heisting genre,” Kristjansson continued. “Payday is more than a game — it’s a genre we created and continue to lead. By redeploying talent and capital, we can bring innovation to heisting gameplay faster, while also laying the foundation for the future expansion of the genre.”
Starbreeze said Payday has had more than 50 million players worldwide and generated close to SEK 4 billion (approx. $427 million) in lifetime gross revenue.
“With increased focus and resources, Starbreeze will accelerate its roadmap, delivering more frequent updates, new content drops, and continuous live-engagement,” the company said. “The discontinuation of Baxter, combined with an increased focus on the Payday franchise, will enable Starbreeze to become cash-flow positive in 2026.”
Kristjansson added: “I want to sincerely thank the Baxter team for their passion and creativity, and express appreciation to Wizards of the Coast for their support. Though we have made the decision to not continue forward with this project, we are proud of what was achieved in Baxter, and those contributions will carry forward into Payday and the future of Starbreeze. By concentrating our efforts on Payday we give Starbreeze and all our employees the best chance to succeed.”
So, what does the future hold for Starbreeze? The 12-year-old Payday 2 still has significantly more players than Payday 3 on Steam, but the developer insisted Payday 3 “is being developed into a scalable live-engagement platform to engage millions of players worldwide.” The Payday 3 team will grow to about 50 employees before the end of the year “and continue to grow in line with increased player engagement.”
Meanwhile, Starbreeze said it has new heist games in the works, too, including spinoffs and narrative-driven projects, and plans to expand Payday into new platforms. Meanwhile, it’s offering its services as a work-for-hire studio.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Customisable player houses are finally set to arrive in World of Warcraft via early access this December, though that early access will be limited to folks who’ve pre-purchased the MMO’s upcoming Midnight expansion. There can never not be a bit of a catch with moving into new digs it seems, even if you’re a virtual orc.
The forthcoming addition of home ownership to WOW was first announced by Blizzard all the way back in November last year at a Warcraft 30th anniversary direct, with the studio finally acting on player cries to inject their adventures with a bit more rearranging of clutter around a place in which you sleep. Let us be paralysed by the mundane terror of picking the right interior decor, they screamed. K, said Blizzard.
Designs will be shared when it’s finished.
As you’ll likely be aware, LEGO’s fancy Adult range of sets got itself a sweet 1:1 replica of Nintendo’s iconic Game Boy yesterday (look out for a gallery of this writer’s build shortly). However, not happy with the stunning attention to detail, dinky little game carts, and interchangeable screens that the vanilla Lego GB is rocking, one master builder has decided to bring hers to life.
In what’s got to be some sort of record for a mod turnaround, Australian Game Boy modder and self-taught circuit-board designer Natalie the Nerd has got her Lego handheld playing real GB games via real carts with nary a Raspberry Pi or other modern doodah in sight.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
The long-awaited Mega Evolution era has finally arrived in Pokémon TCG following the Japanese releases of Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia in August 2025. With their towering HP values, spectacular full-art designs, and that notorious 3-Prize rule when a Mega ex is knocked out, these cards are already shaking up both the collector market and early deck-building experiments in Japan, and we expect the same to happen worldwide, too.
Like every major set, certain chase cards have risen to the top. That’s whether for playability, stunning artwork, or simply the popularity of their featured trainer or Pokémon. Below, we’ve ranked ten of the most expensive Mega Evolution cards in today’s market on our favourite dedicated marketplace, TCGPlayer, starting from the lowest on the chart and working up to the crown jewel.
The original Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia expansions have already delivered some of the most eye-catching and valuable cards of the year, with the 10 most valuable of which from the combined Mega Evolution set can be found below, for those who don’t feel like scrolling through the whole larger list.
However, with the set only just being released, TCGPlayer’s exact most valuable card rankings are changing rapidly, due to continuous market price changes. So, be sure to also check out the live page showing the most expensive Mega Evolution Pokémon cards on TCGPlayer right now.
Still, as for our top 15 picks, from dazzling behemoths like Mega Venusaur ex and Mega Gardevoir ex, to nostalgic Special Art Rares of fan-favourite trainers like Lillie’s Determination, collectors are still scrambling to secure them before prices climb higher. Here’s a proper look at fifteen of the most expensive cards currently dominating the Mega Evolution market.
Mega Venusaur ex cards in general thrive on endurance, and Mega Evolution’s is no different. Solar Transfer lets you freely move Grass Energy around, while Jungle Dump delivers 240 damage and heals 30, making it tough to topple.
5ban Graphics’ artwork reinforces that bulk, with Mega Venusaur ex crouched under vibrant petals in a pose that radiates raw power. Both a sturdy option in Grass decks and a visually commanding card, it’s a sought-after Ultra Rare.
Gameplay-wise, Vulpix won’t shake the meta with Stampede and Combustion, which are serviceable but underpowered. What makes this card stand out is its Illustration Rare art by saino misaki, showing the fox Pokémon curled up by a fireplace in a warmly lit, rustic room.
It’s a cosy-looking slice-of-life card that collectors are eager to chase, proving once again that atmosphere and nostalgia can lift even a low-power card into a high-value slot.
Already a major seller amongst Pokémon TCG collectors on TCG player, this Mega Evolution Bulbasaur’s Bind Down is a deceptively disruptive move, trapping your opponent’s Active Pokémon in place while chipping away at their board state.
This utility, combined with Bulbasaur’s nostalgic allure as the original Grass starter, gives it both competitive and casual appeal. Artist mashu delivers bold, swirling colours that make Bulbasaur appear almost dreamlike, enhancing its chase factor. Along with being playable, it’s one of the most visually striking cards in the set.
Razor Leaf offers a reliable 60 damage for two Grass Energy, positioning Ivysaur as a useful bridge to Mega Venusaur in dedicated Grass decks. The artwork, again by mashu, captures Ivysaur leaping forward with fierce determination against a backdrop of glowing foliage and vibrant petals.
As part of the full Kanto starter line, collectors are eager to build the evolutionary trio, and its combination of steady damage and stunning visuals cements its rising market value.
Although not as dazzling as its more artistic counterpart below, this UR of Lillie’s Determination is already one of the hottest chase cards of the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution set. Atsushi Furusawa’s stunning full-art design captures Lillie with delicate, vibrant detail, and the card effect remains a flexible draw option.
While it may not dominate the competitive scene, it is almost guaranteed to headline binders and display cases. It can be easy for newcomers to underestimate Lillie’s immense popularity, but that doesn’t stop its position near the very top of the set’s value list.
Marshadow is one of the more competitively promising Illustration Rares. Shadowy Side Kick deals respectable damage, and its effect of blanking damage to Marshadow on the following turn if it takes a KO can stall opponents effectively. Altogether, this card straddles the line between competitive tech and collector gem.
Mega Kangaskhan ex is a surprise standout in the most valuable card lists, and currently sits at around $90 market price.
It’s another beautiful art set by 5ban Graphics, and features Mega Kangaskhan and its wee bab breaking out into their “Rapid Fire Combo” .
Absol has always had a cult following since its debut in Gen III , and this new Mega form captures that same aura of menace. Mega Absol Ex’s Ultra Rare gives us an eye-catching, almost gothic rendering, making it look like it has stepped out of a noir film, with its mix of black and yellow tones.
Competitively, its Terminal Period attack is an intriguing win-condition attack, knocking out foes that line up perfectly on damage counters, while Claw of Darkness offers raw power plus disruption. Though it’s a little clunky in the current fast-paced meta, Absol’s fan appeal ensures this one holds value.
Few Trainers hold the same sway in the secondary market as Lillie. Not only does the floral artwork of Lillie’s Determination by Atsushi Furusawa give off endless warmth and nostalgia, the actual effect of this Trainer card is great as well: refreshing your hand with six new cards or even eight when behind, presenting real utility in control and comeback strategies.
On top, Lillie’s sheer popularity, though seems to be additionally driving the price tag into the around-$200 stratosphere, just as we’ve seen with her earlier Sun & Moon prints.
At approximately $200, Mega Latias ex offers versatility in combat to go with its striking visuals, immediately showing why it’s one of the Pokémon TCG’s most in-demand cards from Mega Evolution.
Its Strafe attack enables clever switching plays, while Illusory Impulse deals a blistering 300 damage at the cost of discarding Energy.
Akira Egawa’s colourful, swirling art makes the Dragon-type legend look like it’s bursting straight out of the card. It’s as playable as it is collectable, and it earns its spot as the set’s tenth hottest seller.
Our third-most valuable card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s new Mega Evolution set, Mega Venusaur ex is a true battlefield tank, with Solar Transfer enabling seamless Energy redistribution and Jungle Dump delivering 240 damage while healing itself.
In terms of gameplay, this makes it one of the most flexible and durable attackers in the set. The SAR artwork by mashu is extraordinary, depicting a lush, chaotic jungle scene bursting with colour, where Venusaur looms as a dominant presence. The synergy of competitive utility and jaw-dropping art is what has pushed this card into the top tier of value.
This Special Illustration Rare of Mega Lucario ex currently fetches about $280, even though its market price is currently $75 lower, and it’s easy to see why.
With Aura Jab accelerating Fighting Energy and Mega Brave hitting for a massive 270, Lucario slots perfectly into aggressive decks.
The art, by 5ban Graphics, depicts Lucario mid-leap with fierce energy bursts against a Mega Venusaur, a dynamic visual that mirrors its high-impact playstyle.
Priced at over $500 at the time of writing, Mega Gardevoir ex stands as the Pokémon TCG’s crown jewel of the Mega Evolution set. Whilst Overflowing Wishes accelerates Psychic Energy across your Bench, Mega Symphonia converts that fuel into devastating damage.
Raita Kazama’s museum-quality artwork, full of pastel tones and floral elegance, perfectly matches the card’s grace and strength. It’s this union of competitive power and striking style that cements this beautiful piece of cardboard as the set’s most coveted prize.
Just like its gold-finished Mega Lucario counterpart, this painfully elusive Mega Gardevoir ex is sitting at around a $500 market price, with some listings even reaching $1200 right now as well.
According to TCGPlayer’s Mega Evolution pull rate data, these “Mega Hyper Rare” cards (what a bizarre rarity name by way) on average only appear one in every 1 out of every 1260 packs of Mega Evolution. That’s around 35 booster boxes, before you find even potentially find a single one of these cards. Holy bankruptcy, Batman!
The golden Mega Hyper Rare Mega Lucario ex card is topping Pokemon TCG listings charts at a staggering $600 market value, with some listings reaching $1000 or more.
With Aura Jab enabling Energy recovery and Mega Brave delivering 270 damage like its other versions, this card exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward nature of Mega ex.
The gold finish, courtesy of 5ban Graphics, turns Lucario into a gleaming centrepiece. Competitive players want it, collectors covet it, and together they’ve pushed it to the very peak. If you have one of the cheaper versions of Mega Lucario ex, it’s better to keep this one safe in your binder rather than put in your deck.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
This article contains contributions from Robert Anderson.
I have been sort of enjoying former Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah’s reinvention as a Youtuber who trades insider BioWare anecdotes for merch. He’s got an actual T-shirt line, including a T-shirt for babies upon which Mark threatens to “pump NFTs” unless you buy his gear. Respectable Crazy Uncle energy. Maybe don’t invite him to your kid’s baptism. But maybe do watch his new video about what might happen to EA’s many development studios in the wake of the company’s $55 billion acquisition by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the gilded suits of Silver Lake.
The tl;dr/tl;dw is that Darrah thinks EA’s various sport game teams, like Madden and EA Sports FC, are probably fine under the new privately-owned EA. Those games bring home a lot of bacon, after all, and EA’s new dads in Riyadh are keen on sports in general. He’s less confident about the studios clustered under EA Entertainment, and especially those such as Darrah’s old joint BioWare who might have more pronounced cultural objections to the new ownership, based on the kinds of stories they tell.
New features, bug fixes and more.
Since the arrival of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on the Switch 2 and Switch in June, Marvelous has continued to update the title with additional features and fixes.
Now, to mark the start of October, the team has released a new update worldwide across all platforms, bumping the game up to Version 1.1.0. This latest patch enhances existing features (adventuring, village life and socialising) with new additions and once again comes with a bunch of fixes.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
An all-star roster.
The beat ’em up MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is on its way to the Switch and Switch 2 this year, and earlier on it got a demo on Steam.
It allows players to jump into the action with multiple iconic heroes and try out this new title before its official launch. That’s not all, though, as there’s apparently been a datamine – seemingly revealing (spoiler alert) Iron Man and Phoenix will be playable characters. There also seems to be possible roster DLC planned.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Celebrating the Switch release.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 is now available for the Switch, and to celebrate this launch, Nintendo has added some new tracks to its Nintendo Music mobile app for Switch Online subscribers.
This includes the Super Mario Galaxy ‘Good Night’ track and Super Mario Galaxy 2 tracks ‘Twins’ and ‘Special Someone’.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
