Looking back at the olderPokemon TCGgenerations brings back plenty of nostalgia from the first few generations, when things were simple, and there wasno such thing as the Fairy type.While the focus is on thebooming modern Pokemon card market,older cards continue to rise in value.
Some of the most valuable cards from the HeartGold & SoulSilver era have been flying under the radar as other eras command attention, but prices are rising all the same. Put on your nostalgia goggles and enjoy some of the best Groudon, Rayquaza, and Lugia cards ever made,along with more surprising shiny Pokemon.
These cards are ordered according to theirTCGplayermarket price. Any cards without a TCGplayer market price were not included.
8Dialga (Shiny): Call Of Legends – $180.98
Simple Metal Style
Dialga doesn’t look like it got a shiny makeover, but a closer look at the regular color palette will confirm this is its alternate palette. Shiny cards like this one usually don’t stand out on the back of their visual appeal, but can impress with their high market prices.
Even though Dialga is far off the pace set by the leader, this valuable Call of Legends card is still one of the standout stars of the HeartGold and SoulSilver era.
The rest of the shinies are way more obvious, we promise.
7Kyogre (Shiny): Call Of Legends – $191.37
Legendary Takeover
Kyogre kicks the shiny artwork competition into gear, as this Legendary Pokemon swaps its usual shades of blue for a magenta and pink color palette. It’s probably one of the starkest color swaps of any valuable HeartGold & SoulSilver card, though the competition for that distinction is steep.
Call of Legends clearly has an impressive grip on the most expensive cards from the HeartGold & SoulSilver era, as many of the most expensive cards hail from this set.
6Suicune (Shiny): Call Of Legends – $213.22
Rising Tide
Suicune’s beloved roster of cardsis full of beautiful artwork, but this card might just be one of the most noteworthy options, as the Water-type Legendary Pokemon leaps above the $200 mark. The beautiful contrast between the red background and blue shiny colors makes this card loud but messy.
You might not be able to pick this card out of a group as you scan it, but a closer look lets you appreciate just how beautiful the burst of details in the contrasting colors is.
5Gengar (Prime): Triumphant (Ultra Rare) – $226.10
We Were Expecting Entei, What Are You Doing Here?
Gengar Prime is the lone card from Triumphant to claim a spot among the most valuable HeartGold & SoulSilver cards, but this set is due to rise to new levels. With Umbreon, Gengar, and so many other beloved Pokemon in this set, it’s difficult to choose which one to praise first.
For now, the focus remains onGengar Prime, as one of the Pokemon’s most valuable cardsmakes an impressive mark as one of the top cards from the HGSS era.
4Groudon (Shiny): Call Of Legends – $239.99
New, Vibrant, And Neon
Groudon grabs a spot away from Gengar, as their slim divide might evaporate at any moment, given how quickly the value of these cards can shift. However, it’s more likely that they’ll increase in value rather than decrease, so it’s a matter of which one rises quickest.
Comparing apples to apples, Groudon claims a pretty high placement compared to Kyogre, exceeding its eternal rival by roughly $50 in value. This card’s brighter lighting and overall cleaner artwork also play a role in its sky-high valuation.
3Lugia (Shiny): Call Of Legends – $275.00
A Surprising Shiny Appearance
Lugia is one of the most iconic Pokemon alongside other all-time greats like Pikachu and Charizard, so it’s no surprise to see it appear among the best HGSS cards. However, Lugia’s shiny color palette is rarely depicted, and this unusual card is one of the only representations we have of this shiny.
Even if you’re not a huge fan of Lugia, this card’s unique artwork and color palette give it an inherent appeal, especially since there aren’t any others like it. Expect Lugia lovers to continue buying this card, which will cause the price to rise in the long term.
2Ho-Oh (Shiny): Call Of Legends – $285.23
On Fire
Ho-Oh also boasts a beautiful batch of valuable cardsand shares a long rivalry with Lugia, as both Legendary Pokemon are immensely popular. It’s hard to say that one is usually more valuable than the other, as they typically vary from set to set, but this still feels like a rare Ho-Oh win.
Based on the visual depiction of each Pokemon, it’s fair to say that Ho-Oh stands out as the more varied option, with its rainbow-colored wings stained with a golden shiny color palette. However, the brightness is pretty much the same, unlike how it was with Groudon and Kyogre.
1Rayquaza (Shiny): Call Of Legends – $349.99
The Ruler Of Dragons
Rayquaza retains its crown as one of the most expensive Pokemon you’ll find in the Pokemon TCG, as this Shiny card is the top card from the HeartGold & SoulSilver era. Unlike many of the other Legendary Pokemon here, this is one of several shiny depictions of Rayquaza in the Pokemon TCG, as this design is a favorite of both artists and collectors.
Rayquaza’s unique position as one of the most expensive Pokemon ever makes it a likely choice to remain as the most expensive card from this era for the foreseeable future.
