Pixelmon Analysis: Top Cards Amid Dimension Crisis
- By Claire
- Feb 08,2026
Watching the trailer for Extradimensional Crisis instantly transported me back to the Sun and Moon days. That was the period when I first noticed how strange and imaginative the Pokémon TCG could truly be.
Seeing Ultra Beasts appear in Pocket, with their bizarre designs and chaotic vibe, reminded me of opening Crimson Invasion packs and feeling like half those creatures came from another dimension. It was messy, bold, and in its own way, perfect. So, I figured, why not take a trip back to Alola and revisit some of my favorite cards from the Sun and Moon expansions.
My Favorite Sun and Moon Pokémon Cards
Umbreon GX 154/149
0$58.99 at TCG Player
Espeon GX 152/149
0$36.69 at TCG Player
Sylveon GX 158/145
0$194.00 at TCG Player
Charizard GX 150/147
0$350.00 at TCG Player
Mewtwo GX 78/73
0$373.99 at TCG Player
Shining Mew 40/73
0$70.37 at TCG Player
Mewtwo GX 76/73
0$54.49 at TCG Player
Shining Rayquaza 56/73
0$54.94 at TCG Player
Raichu GX 75/73
0$42.00 at TCG Player
Lucario GX 135/131
0$98.02 at TCG PlayerThis new set feels like it's drawing inspiration from all across that era. With Buzzwole, Nihilego, Type Null, and even Lusamine with her niche energy effect, it has a familiar feel in the best possible way. It brings back memories of Forbidden Light's unpredictability, Ultra Prism's flashy style, and the sheer shiny abundance of Hidden Fates.
Cosmic Eclipse
Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX 226/236
0$170.00 at TCG Player
Blastoise & Piplup GX 215/236
0$264.99 at TCG Player
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX
0$394.00 at TCG Player
Solgaleo & Lunala GX 216/236
0$330.00 at TCG Player
Reshiram & Zekrom GX 222/236
0$340.00 at TCG PlayerCosmic Eclipse concluded the Sun and Moon era with something truly special: Character Rares. I remember seeing the Arceus, Dialga, and Palkia GX card displayed at a trade table, and it looked absolutely epic.
Rosa's Full Art card had a gentle strength to it, and the Pikachu Character Rare genuinely made me smile the first time I saw it. The artwork had a warmth that felt distinct from anything else.
Hidden Fates: Shiny Vault
Mewtwo GX SV59/SV94
0$64.00 at TCG Player
Espeon GX SV60/SV94
0$100.00 at TCG Player
Sylveon GX SV76/SV94
0$124.00 at TCG Player
Umbreon GX SV69/SV94
0$223.00 at TCG Player
Charizard GX SV49/SV94
0$470.00 at TCG PlayerHidden Fates launched in August 2019 and immediately reset the hype meter. The Shiny Vault was packed with incredible cards. Shiny Charizard GX was the ultimate prize.
I never managed to pull one myself, but I witnessed someone pull it at a local shop, and the entire table fell silent. I opened a few packs, pulled a shiny Rowlet, and immediately understood how deep the collecting rabbit hole could go.
Between shiny Umbreon GX, Mewtwo GX, and the full art bird trio, every pack felt like it could contain something spectacular.
Unified Minds
Raichu & Alolan Raichu GX 241/236
0$199.50 at TCG Player
Dragonite GX 248/236
0$151.29 at TCG Player
Mewtwo & Mew GX 242/236
0$199.11 at TCG Player
Raichu & Alolan Raichu GX 221/236
0$200.64 at TCG Player
Mega Sableye & Tyranitar GX 226/236
0$284.96 at TCG PlayerUnified Minds continued the strong trend. Mewtwo and Mew GX felt like a successful fan-fiction crossover come to life.
I never owned the card, but I've faced it enough in matches to know it was a serious contender. Slowpoke and Psyduck GX made me chuckle initially, but it quickly became intimidating once I saw its potential.
Cherish Ball also debuted in this set, becoming an essential utility card despite its unassuming appearance. It simply worked effectively.
Unbroken Bonds
Red's Challenge 213/214
0$107.38 at TCG Player
Marshadow & Machamp GX 199/214
0$169.99 at TCG Player
Reshiram & Charizard GX 217/214
0$204.99 at TCG Player
Greninja & Zoroark GX 201/214
0$219.98 at TCG Player
Gardevoir & Sylveon GX 205/214
0$526.12 at TCG PlayerUnbroken Bonds further embraced the tag team concept. Reshiram and Charizard GX was the major chase card, and a friend of mine pulled one at the time. He looked utterly stunned, as if he couldn't believe it was real.
Gardevoir and Sylveon GX had fantastic visual synergy, feeling like a card that could defeat you with grace. Dedenne GX became a staple in countless decks. I later traded for one and immediately understood the excitement; it was the utility player in most strategies.
Detective Pikachu
Psyduck SM199 Stamped
0$9.49 at TCG Player
Detective Pikachu SM190 Stamped
0$7.91 at TCG Player
Charizard 5/18
0$7.45 at TCG Player
Detective Pikachu - SM170 (Stamped)
0$12.33 at TCG Player
Detective Pikachu SM170
0$38.00 at TCG PlayerDetective Pikachu launched in April 2019, riding the wave of movie hype. To be honest, it was one of the more unusual sets I've encountered. Every card featured the live-action CGI designs from the film, meaning you were pulling ultra-realistic Bulbasaurs and slightly unsettling Charmanders that looked like they might blink.
I didn't open much of this set myself, just a few promo packs from mini tins, but I recall someone at a card night pulling the Mewtwo GX and getting overly excited about its menacing appearance.
Team Up
Eevee & Snorlax GX 191/181
0$269.99 at TCG Player
Gengar & Mimikyu GX 186/181
0$183.20 at TCG Player
Gengar & Mimikyu GX 164/181
0$319.95 at TCG Player
Magikarp & Wailord GX
0$500.00 at TCG Player
Latias & Latios GX 170/181
0$2,200.00 at TCG PlayerTeam Up followed and revolutionized the game with Tag Team GX cards. I remember my first glimpse of Latias and Latios GX; it looked like a poster for an anime movie. The synergy and artwork just clicked perfectly.
Pikachu and Zekrom GX dominated the competitive scene, and I saw numerous decks built around that combination. Gengar and Mimikyu GX was pure, delightful chaos. Its unique blend of spooky and playful made it instantly memorable.
Lost Thunder
Tyranitar GX 223/214
0$105.95 at TCG Player
Suicune GX 220/214
0$89.99 at TCG Player
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