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Oct 26, 02:00


Twinfinite Wednesday, October 25, 2023 6:24 PM
    
It's more than "pretty good."

Siliconera Wednesday, October 25, 2023 8:15 PM
    

5 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards of 2023

Even in its first year, the Pokemon Trading Card Game's Scarlet and Violet expansion has already released a handful of valuable collectibles. Here are the five most expensive Pokemon cards of 2023.

The most valuable Pokemon cards of 2023

Before we get into this most expensive Pokemon cards list, it should be pointed out that card values fluctuate significantly from month to month. There is also a massive gulf in pricing between graded and ungraded Pokemon cards. So, having a definitive list without factoring in the numerous variables that come with card collecting is impossible. For this list, I have based it on the average price each 2023 Pokemon card is currently selling for ungraded. However, I have also included each collectible's peak prices as well.

Screenshot of the Arceus VSTAR Crown Zenith Pokemon Card
Image via the Pokemon Company

Arceus VSTAR Crown Zenith Secret Rare - Ungraded: $60 / Graded: $106-$190

To end the TCG's Pokemon Sword and Shield era with a bang, the Pokemon Company released the final Crown Zenith set in January 2023. And what a finale it was! With over 70 Galarian Gallery cards, the Gen 8 set had some of the most beautiful artwork the Pokemon TCG has seen in decades. So it should come as no surprise that the Arceus VSTAR Secret Rare is also one of the most valuable Pokemon cards to be released in 2023.

The Golden textured card depicts the God Pokemon emerging from Mt. Sinnoh with a swirling sky of clouds behind him. When the set was first released, PSA 10 graded versions of the Arceus VSTAR sold for as high as $190. Towards the back half of 2023, though, the same graded edition of the Pokemon card has sold for as low as $106. An ungraded Arceus VSTAR can still go for $60, which isn't bad for a modern TCG collectible.

Giratina VSTAR Crown Zenith - Ungraded: $70 / Graded: $119-$295

Screenshot of the Giratina VSTAR Crown Zenith Pokemon Card
Image via the Pokemon Company

The Galarian Gallery Giratina VSTAR is connected to the Arceus card mentioned above, as they are part of a four-piece artwork collection that makes up a single image when combined. The Secret Rare features artwork of the Pokemon Platinum Legendary diving into a swirling lake of golden energy. At its peak, a CGC Pristine 10 graded Giratina VSTAR sold for as high as $295 at auction.

As of October 2023, a PSA 10 graded version of the Crown Zenith Secret Rare has gone for as low as $119. On average, an ungraded Giratina VSTAR sells for around $70. Interestingly, the Japanese version from the VSTAR Universe set is much more valuable. At its peak, a black label pristine BGS 10 edition sold for a mind-blowing $1,137. Unfortunately, since the collectible was released in Japan in 2022, it doesn't technically make the list.

Screenshot of the Charizard Special Illustration Rare Obsidian Flames Pokemon Card
Image via the Pokemon Company

Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare Obsidian Flames - Ungraded: $55 / Graded PSA 10: $499-$1,683

When the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Obsidian Flames set was first released in August 2023, the Charizard EX Special Illustration Rare quickly became the most expensive card of the year. Collectors went absolutely wild for the terastallized version of the Pokemon Red mascot. At its peak, the Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare sold for as high as $1,683 graded! Yes, you read that right. Just as shocking, though, is that the card's price dropped pretty steeply in the back half of 2023.

As more of the card ended up in circulation, its price dropped to as low as $499. Which, to be fair, is still nothing to sneeze at. But it's a perfect example of how much hype the Gen 1 Pokemon still commands with collectors in the Pokemon TCG. Ungraded versions of the Charizard ex Special now sell on average for $55. While the Giratina VSTAR is technically more valuable ungraded, the absurd prices the Secret Rare Charizard fetches when graded make it a bit more noteworthy. Plus, the Special Illustration card has a higher ceiling of value potential, even with its price trending downward.

Screenshot of Iono Special Illustration Rare Paldea Evolved Pokemon Card
Image via The Pokemon Company

Iono Special Illustration Rare Paldea Evolved - Ungraded: $90 / Graded PSA 10: $219-$450

While not reaching the same highs as the Obsidian Flames Charizard, the Iono Special Illustration Rare from Paldea Evolved has continued to sell for high prices. The Trainer card has consistently maintained its value compared to other collectibles on this list. At its peak, a PSA 10-graded version of the Iono Special Illustration Rare sold for $450 at auction.

Recently, graded editions of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gym Leader have fetched $219. However, the most impressive aspect of the Paldea Evolved card is that it continues to sell for $90 to 100 on average, ungraded. So, although it isn't the highest-selling card of 2023, it's arguably one of the most valuable cards across the board. For the average Pokemon card fan, the Iono Special Illustration Rare is likely the most expensive 2023 item in their collection.

Screenshot of the Pikachu With Grey Felt Hat Van Gogh Pokemon Card Promo - most expensive Pokemon cards.
Image via The Pokemon Company

Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat Van Gogh Promo - Ungraded: $110 / Graded PSA 10: $595-$1,729

The Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat promo card is the most expensive Pokemon card of 2023. Originally released as a promotional item at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the Pokemon card caused absolute pandemonium in the TCG community when it was offered as a promo card on the official Pokemon Center store. After scalpers flooded the online shop, many Pokemon fans were left empty-handed and unable to obtain the rare collectible.

Making matters worse, the Van Gogh Museum had to cancel the Pikachu card due to scalpers showing up to the exhibit and causing a disturbance to get their hands on the promo. At its peak, the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat sold for as high as $1,729! With hype finally settling down, a PSA 10 version of the card has recently sold for $595. For the lucky fans who manage to snag one of the promo cards, the Van Gogh Pikachu fetches around $110 on average ungraded. Of all the cards on the list, the Van Gogh Pikachu has the most potential to drop or raise in value. It's anyone's guess! One thing is for certain, though: promo Pokemon cards are still the most desirable collectibles in the TCG, even in 2023.

The latest Pokemon Scarlet and Violet TCG set, Paradox Rift, will be released on November 3, 2023.

The post 5 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards of 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, October 25, 2023 8:00 PM
    

fate/grand order ptolemaios sugitani

Lasengle will introduce two new Servants in the upcoming Holy Grail Front: White Castle by Day, Black Castle by Night event in Fate/Grand Order. This event will run on the Japanese server from October 25 until November 15, 2023.

The two new Fate/Grand Order Servants will be Ptolemaios and Zenjuubou Sugitani. You can watch the ad for the Holy Grail Front: White Castle by Day, Black Castle by Night event here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlU7cmRPaD0

The ad also shows a new Servant who looks like they're associated with Greek history or mythology. As for the new Servants currently in the gacha, Ptolemaios is a limited 5-star, and Sugitani is a 3-star. Kensho Ono and Kenyu Horiuchi voice Ptolemaios, who appears as a young man in his earlier Ascensions before turning old. Ono is known for his roles as Akutagawa in Bungo Stray Dogs and Diluc in Genshin Impact. As for Horiuchi, he previously played Raiden in the Metal Gear Solid series and Artorius in Tales of Berseria.

While Ptolemaios is a famous Roman king, it is unlikely that people outside of Japan will know who Zenjuubou Sugitani is. The most famous act Sugitani accomplished was attempting to assassinate Oda Nobunaga by sniping him with an arquebus. He failed, and after Nobunaga captured him, Nobunaga sentenced him to death by sawing.

In Fate/Grand Order, Sugitani is a woman thanks to Koji Kashin. Yuko Goto will voice her. Goto previously appeared as Mikuru in The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi and Junko Kaname (Madoka's mom) in Puella Magi Madoka Magica. After the event ends, Sugitani will appear in the permanent gacha.

Fate/Grand Order is readily available on mobile devices, though Ptolemaios and Sugitani will only be on pick-up in the Japanese server. Their banner will end on November 15, 2023.

The post New Fate/Grand Order Servants Are Zenjuubou Sugitani And Ptolemaios appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, October 25, 2023 6:30 PM
    

Blue Protocol Chapter 4

Blue Protocol Chapter 4 appeared in the 1.02.000 update. The new chapter introduces the West Bernhard Peninsula, adds a new Main Quest, and raises the level cap from 50 to 60 and Class Action and Normal Attack Levels from 3 to 4.

Other type of additional quests added with the update include 64 new sub quests, 7 character quests, 3 event quests, 9 challenge quests, and 2 bonus quests. In order to access Chapter 4, the previous Chapter 3 of the Main Quest must be completed. New Gold and Silver Nappo headwear can be obtained, by encountering Gold and Silver Nappos under certain circumstances.

The new Main Quest introduced with Chapter 4 is called "Ken wa Dare ga Tame ni," which translates to "For Whom the Sword is Worth." The story of Chapter 4 of Blue Protocol involves the assassination of Duke of Bernhardt. The blame for this crime lies on Carvain, a knight of the Bernhardt Order.

The Bapharian oracle Einrain seems to be conspiring against the Duchy alongside Avaritia, and manipulating Carvain into taking the blame. Both Carvain and Einrain have been apprehended and taken into custody. However, Carvain denies his participation and seeks to clear his name. The protagonist will travel to the Duchy to rescue and assist Carvain.

Blue Protocol is currently available in Japan for PC, and Chapter 4 is now available. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Blue Protocol will appear on Winter 2023 in Japan. The game will release worldwide in 2024.

The post Blue Protocol Latest Update Adds Chapter 4 appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, October 25, 2023 8:55 PM
     Slay The Princess All Achievements WalkthroughIn total, Slay the Princess has ninety-seven achievements; that may seem like a lot, but you'll get them all if you play through everything. Here's a Slay the Princess all achievements walkthrough to get you to that end goal. Slay the Princess: How to get all achievements Starting off, your first achievement is most likely The Real Slay the Princess Starts Here. This is achieved by completing a first loop of the game- any route, any chapter two or three, as long as you get to the second mirror. Beyond that, we're going route by route for this Slay the Princess: All achievements walkthrough. The Spectre An Evanescent Vessel (Hidden): Bring the Spectre to the Shifting Mound by letting her possess you and letting her leave or stabbing yourself. The Exorcist: Let The Princess possess you, then stab yourself. Heart-ripper: Anger the Princess into killing you by repeatedly trying to touch/slay her or refusing her request. Hitchiker: Let t...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, October 25, 2023 6:15 PM
     Starfield Washakie Planet SurfaceBefore you've spent too much time with Starfield, you're likely to find yourself searching for the planet Washakie as you work to clear the Power from Beyond mission. Here is our guide telling you where to find Washakie in Starfield. Starfield – where to find Washakie The Power from Beyond mission sends you to numerous planets in search of anomalies. However, you may have questions about where to find the planet. To find Washakie, search in the Cheyenne system. Screenshot: PC Invasion On the Starmap, look for the Cheyenne system to the upper right from Alpha Centauri, where the game begins. The Cheyenne system is one you'll visit numerous times over the course of your adventure. Related: How to follow distortions on the scanner in Starfield Within the Cheyenne system, look just above the burned out star at the center of the system. You will notice Washakie is a small planet with a single moon, Smet. It con...