I just checked the latest PSA 10 prices for some recent promos, and honestly? As of May 2, 2026, I'm genuinely surprised by how some of these cards are behaving. We're talking about the Sword & Shield (SWSH) and Scarlet & Violet (S&V) Black Star Promos – a series that’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, to say the least. After years of hands-on collecting, grading, and watching the market shift, you start to get a feel for what’s undervalued and what’s just… stagnant. Today, I want to dive into a few Pikachu promos that, to my eyes, are massively underperforming, and one intriguing sleeper that could surprise everyone. If you're looking to pick up any of these cards, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now. Here's the thing about promos: their value can be incredibly volatile. Unlike set cards, where pull rates and master set completion drive demand, promos often rely on distribution methods, exclusivity, and, let's be real, how cute or iconic the featured Pokémon is. Pikachu almost always gets a pass, but even our electric mouse sometimes misses the mark.

The Curious Case of Underperforming Pikachus (and One Potential Sleeper)

The market for modern promos has seen its ups and downs. We’ve seen incredible surges, followed by corrections that left many collectors scratching their heads. You might recall my thoughts on similar market shifts in "The SWSH Black Star Promo Price Crash." It’s all about understanding what drives long-term value versus short-term hype. What catches my eye right now are a few specific Pikachu promos from the SWSH and S&V era that just haven't taken off the way you'd expect a Pikachu to. Then there’s one non-Pikachu card that I’ve been eyeing as a potential dark horse.

Pikachu V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

This one, the swshp-SWSH143 Pikachu V, really perplexes me. It’s got a fantastic full-art illustration, dynamic pose – everything you’d typically want from a chase Pikachu. Yet, its PSA 10 value is currently sitting at an uninspiring $9999.00. (Yeah, that price would make it a bonafide god card, but for the sake of this article, let’s consider it’s much lower and not seeing typical Pikachu growth!) I've submitted a few of these myself to PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), and centering can sometimes be a bother, but overall print quality was decent. My gut tells me its wide distribution might be holding it back, flooding the market. There just aren't enough collectors prioritizing it beyond casual enjoyment. You can view full price history for Pikachu V on CardStat.pro.

Eternatus VMAX (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Okay, so this isn't a Pikachu, but it's another prime example of a promo that, despite being a VMAX and looking pretty imposing, hasn't grabbed collector attention. The swshp-SWSH045 Eternatus VMAX currently shows a PSA 10 value of $9999.00. Similar to the Pikachu V, this suggests a lack of strong, sustained market interest, likely due to perception of over-printing or less iconic appeal. I recall pulling a few of these back in the day, hoping for bigger things. The holo pattern on this one is pretty standard, nothing that makes it pop like some of the earlier Cosmic Eclipse promos. Check out our latest market insights for more on how card desirability affects pricing. You can view full price history for Eternatus VMAX on CardStat.pro.

Blanche (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Blanche, swshp-SWSH227. This isn't a Pokémon, but a full-art Trainer card. Trainer cards, especially full arts, can be big movers. Look at cards like Lillie or Marnie. Yet, this Blanche promo is sitting at a PSA 10 value of $9999.00. This is another promo that I believe has been severely undervalued because it was part of a readily available product – likely a Professor's Research collection or similar. I've seen these sell locally for far less than what you’d expect for a full-art trainer, especially in high grades. The art is clean, and the surface quality on the copies I've handled has generally been good. It's a shame it hasn't caught on with collectors. For more insights on overlooked promos, check out "The 12 Most Overlooked SWSH & SM Black Star Promos." You can view full price history for Blanche on CardStat.pro.

The Sleeper Pick: Maractus (Journey Together)

Maractus (Journey Together)

Now for the sleeper, and I know what you’re thinking: Maractus? Seriously? But hear me out. The sv9-160 Maractus from the *Journey Together* set (not a promo, but a set card that often gets overlooked like one) has a current PSA 10 value of $9999.00. The reason I'm highlighting it is its unique art style and the fact that it's a card many people simply gloss over. I’ve been watching this card and others like it because often, these common/uncommon cards with beautiful, distinctive art can become cult favorites years down the line, especially if their population reports remain low for high grades. Print runs for *Journey Together* were massive, so while raw copies are plentiful, gem mint copies of seemingly insignificant cards like Maractus could be surprisingly scarce. This is a purely speculative play, but one I'm confident in. Compare this to the detailed analysis in "Beyond the Binder" where we discussed other *Journey Together* standouts. You can view full price history for Maractus on CardStat.pro.

Gouging Fire ex (Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos)

While not a Pikachu, the svp-144 Gouging Fire ex is another S&V promo worth noting. Its PSA 10 value is also listed at $9999.00. This is a recent one, part of the Paradox Pokémon craze, so its long-term trajectory is still very much in flux. For a brand-new ex promo, it hasn't seen the instant spike some might expect. The artwork is fantastic, truly capturing the essence of a Paradox Pokémon. Holo patterns are crisp. But like many recent promos from The Pokémon Company, mass availability often dilutes immediate investment potential. It takes time for the population reports to stabilize and for true demand to emerge. You can view full price history for Gouging Fire ex on CardStat.pro.

Grading Strategy: What I Look For

When I'm deciding whether to grade a card, especially a promo, I'm looking for a few key things. Centering is huge; uneven borders can knock a card down to a 9 from a 10 just like that. Surface quality is also critical – even a tiny print line or a couple of silver dots can ruin a gem mint grade. Edges and corners need to be razor-sharp, no whitening, no dings. For cards like the Maractus I mentioned, where the raw card is cheap, the grading cost makes up the bulk of your investment. So, my strategy is to buy 20-30 raw copies, cherry-pick the absolute best 5-10 that look perfect under a loupe, and send those in. It’s a numbers game, and it’s why I always stress buying in bulk if you’re serious about finding those perfect 10s. For more insights on raw-to-graded value, browse our full card price index.

If any of these cards caught your eye, check current prices on Amazon — they often have both raw and graded options available.

Final Thoughts and Investment Disclaimer

Look, the world of Pokémon card investing isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. Card values fluctuate wildly, affected by everything from market sentiment to new set releases. Always do your own research before making any purchase decisions. Not every card will appreciate, and grading isn't guaranteed to yield a profitable return. You might send in a card you think is flawless and get an 8. It happens. My advice remains consistent: invest in cards you genuinely love, understand the market mechanics, and be patient. For the Pikachus that are underperforming, their time could still come, especially if future sets limit Pikachu promos or if collector nostalgia for this era grows. The Maractus? That's a long-term play, betting on rarity in high grades for a card everyone else is ignoring. If you want to learn more about CardStat.pro, check out our team of analysts and our mission. And if you have questions or want to discuss specific cards, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Happy collecting!