Following the renaissance of the Pokémon TCG that began in the early 2020s, many of the latest and greatest sets have beefed up the games with better artwork than ever before. While Mega Evolution's best special illustration rares naturally get most of the attention (more on that later, they're worth more), there's still some great artwork among the best illustration rares (IRs).
While initial prices represent a noticeable difference between the most expensive Mega Evolution cards and the rest of IR, many Pokémon cards fly under the radar for years before they are evaluated. Best Mega Evolution Illustration Rares definitely has the potential to surpass its SIR peers.
helicopter
awe-inspiring
Helioptile looks up at the starry night sky in this unexpectedly bright and refreshing piece of art, featuring three Pokémon in this scene. We can see the enthusiastic expressions of the first two Helioptiles, but the third's face is hidden, so it's left to our imaginations to imagine how this Pokémon will react to the meteor shower above.
Even though this card may not be the most expensive IR in Mega Evolution, it is still one of the most surprising cards considering there are no Helioptile cards to be found in the Pokemon TCG. This is definitely a strong feather in Helioptile's cap.
Ninjask
Surprise Pokemon Appears
Ninjask is known to be one of the hardest Bug-type Pokémon to find, surpassed only by its evolved form, Shedinja, which can't be damaged unless it hits one of its weak points. You might expect these Pokémon to appear in dimly lit evening scenes, but the sunny day in the background provides an unexpectedly optimistic backdrop.
Ninjask appears to be in a forest based on the trees in the background, but the small clearings where the sun can shine through are a great bonus, illuminating some of Ninjask's usually obscured features.
compacted
inside out
Stufful may not be as clearly visible as Ninjask, but this beautifully simple scene depicting this Pokémon ripping out the insides of various plush toys is full of irony and horror. While the soft lighting provides a stark contrast to the gruesome scenes, there is something dark and comical about the clash of opposing themes.
The simple moments depicted here reinforce the transition to an appreciation of slice-of-life scenes like this, depicting Pokémon like Stufful in situations cats would expect to encounter in real life.
shuckle
Spot the Shuckle
Shuckle doesn't look as cool as this card depicts, but this Pokémon does get the lovely, captivating background this card provides. Shuckle enjoys napping among various berries. This notoriously defensive Pokémon doesn't seem to think about potential threats.
Sleeping Pokémon is one of the most adorable cards in the Pokémon TCG, and cards like this usually increase significantly in value thanks to their undeniable cute factor. The scene is dotted with red berries that camouflage Shuckle, creating a cute 'Where's Waldo' moment as the eyes adjust to spotting Shuckle.
Vulfix
warm night by the fire
Vulpix is no stranger to being included in some of the most impressive cards in the set. This is because this Pokemon was one of the first members and received a lot of love in the Pokemon TCG. The cozy kitchen fireplace behind Vulpix paints a picture that envelops you in a blanket of warmth and serenity.
In scenes like this, it's easy to appreciate Vulpix's calm demeanor. This perfectly reflects the color palette and overall energy of the subject. Despite the lack of bright, eye-catching details, the artwork on these cards gets better and better the longer you look at them.
Steelix
simple silver steel
Like Vulpix, Steelix has a long history in the Pokémon TCG, and while this Pokémon has many other valuable cards worthy of its name, this artwork is one of the most menacing depictions this Steel-type snake has ever received. Lighting is key, as shadows and light share the scene.
Steelix's partially glowing body is fairly hidden, while the focus on its wide, pointy head depicts a more menacing side of this Pokémon.
Bulbasaur
beautiful flowers
Set against an unexpected black background that provides the perfect canvas for an explosion of red, yellow and green accents swirling around Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur blows the competition out of the water. Colors swirl and billow in patterns that mimic the sway of a boiling fire.
The small, dark area around Bulbasaur is the perfect buffer to help this Pokémon stand out as the main subject, while also bursting with impressive detail to draw more attention to the card.
Ma Shadow
pikachu in the shadows
Marshadow debuted as one of the most underrated Art Rare cards in Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia and has since become a clear favorite with one of the most impressive Illustration Rares. Marshadow's status as a mythical Pokémon already makes it stand out in the set, but there's another cameo appearance that helps even more.
Pikachu's head sticks out from the bottom border of the card, giving Marshadow the perfect addition to what could easily be Mega Evolution's best IR.
- original release date
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October 20, 1996
- number of players
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2
- Age Recommendations
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6+
- length per game
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variable
- franchise name
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pokemon
