Modern reverse holographic cards in thePokemon TCGare typically nothing to write home about, but a certain collection of cards called Master Balls bucks that trend. While reverse holos can be valuable in vintage sets like Skyridge, standard reverse holos, including Poke Ball reverses, typically don’t cost more than a few dollars.
Master Ball reverse holos made their modern Pokemon TCG debut in Japan’s version of theScarlet & Violet: 151 set, which features an astounding collection of valuable cards.While these coveted reverse holos were omitted from the English set, Master Ball holos returned in both Japan’s Terastal Festival ex, and its international sister set, Prismatic Evolutions.
Cards are ordered according to their Market Prices onTCGplayer.Any cards without a Market Price are not included.
Japanese card images feature the Poke Ball pattern, not the Master Ball.
7Dragonite: JP 151 – $53.92
Flying High
This cute Dragonite from the Japanese version of Scarlet & Violet: 151 is one of the most adorable Master Ball cards available. Dragonite floats high above the ground in its favored lounging position, with a smile that could only belong to someone without a single care in the world.
Unfortunately, since TCGplayer didn’t always track the price data for Japanese cards, we won’t be able to fully analyze the price history of this Dragonite or other Japanese entries from release until now.
Despite the limited sales history for this card, Dragonite has been dropping in price, leading to concerns about whether this card will maintain its place in the $50 range or continue to fall in favor of the newest releases.
6Sylveon: Terastal Festival ex – $57.41
Pink Perfection
From Japanese 151, we pivot into another Japanese set that included the coveted Master Ball reverse holo patterns: Terastal Festival ex.
This set’s English equivalent, Prismatic Evolutions, features identical Master Ball artwork of Sylveon and other Pokemon, though there isn’t a hard and fast rule about which set is more valuable.
Japanese cards usually sell for less money than their English equivalents (there are exceptions), but when it comes to the most valuable Master Ball cards in the Pokemon TCG, prices should be regarded on a case-by-case basis, as the usual conventional knowledge doesn’t hold.
5Sylveon: Prismatic Evolutions – $59.31
A Terrific Twin
Next, let’s look at the Prismatic Evolutions Sylveon to illustrate the muddied relationship between English and Japanese printings of the best Master Ball cards. This card’s Japanese variation is extremely similar in price, with each version typically hovering between the $55 to $60 range.
Aside from the popularity of English cards compared to Japanese cards, it’s important to remember that a Pokemon might be more popular in one market than another. However, Sylveon is loved almost equally in both the East and the West, if the nearly identical price provides any indication.
4Umbreon: Prismatic Evolutions – $176.65
English Isn’t Always Better
The Umbreon Master Ball holo fromPrismatic Evolutions stands out as one of the most valuable chase cardsin the set, after the Special Illustration Rare (SIRs) Eeveelutions. While the English SIRs stand well above Master Balls, Terastal Festival ex features much more parity between these two subsets.
This expensive Umbreon card is among this Pokemon’s most valuable ever, but its Japanese counterpart outshines it in almost every way.
We’ll dive into why the Japanese Terastal Festival Umbreon Master Ball is more valuable once we get to the top spots.
3Pikachu: JP 151 – $178.72
Pika Perfection
Pikachu’s inclusion among the best Master Ball cards in the Pokemon TCG was nearly guaranteed, asPikachu is frequently one of the best Pokemon to hunt for in various sets.This card’s scene is easily among the best on the list, as Pikachu enjoys a bright jaunt through the forest.
This card’s price has been shifting since 2024, as it began in the $200+ range when it was first listed on TCGplayer, but quickly settled into its current range once more listings were sold.
2Gengar: JP 151 – $205.99
An Esoteric Scene
This Master Ball holo might be the most unusual depiction of Gengar we’ve ever seen, which says a lot considering the amazing variety of posesGengar makes in its most valuable cards.Gengar shines through a crowd thanks to its unusual, multicolored background featuring several spooky specters.
As one of the most popular Pokemon ever, Gengar was destined to be a coveted Master Ball reverse holo, but few people might’ve imagined that it could surpass Pikachu. Claiming the runner-up position ahead of Pikachu proves just how beloved this Gengar card is.
1Umbreon: Terastal Festival ex – $218.81
It Pays To Be First
While we previously saw the Umbreon Master Ball reverse holo from Prismatic Evolutions sitting above its fellow Eeveelution, Sylveon, this Japanese version far surpasses the price of its English counterpart. This gorgeous Master Ball is one of the mostexpensive cards in Terastal Festivaland was the first Umbreon Master Ball released, beating out the Prismatic Evolutions version by a few months.
Even though Japanese cards typically cost less than English cards due to the latter being widely preferred by collectors, this card is an exception to the rule. Given this card’s unique texturing in Japanese and that market’s emphasis on Master Balls, the Terastal Festival Umbreon Master Ball earns its spot as the best Master Ball Pokemon TCG card.
