You know that feeling when you find a card in your old binder and suddenly realize it’s actually worth something? That’s basically the story for anyone who held onto the Pikachu Full Art RC29 RC32 from the 2016 Generations set. For a long time, it was just "that cute card with the flowers." Now? It’s a legitimate heavyweight in the world of Pikachu collecting.
If you weren't around for the 20th Anniversary of Pokémon, you missed a weird time. The Generations set wasn't sold in standard booster boxes. You had to buy "collection boxes" like the Mythical Pin collections or the Red & Blue boxes. Tucked inside those packs was a subset called the Radiant Collection. That’s where RC29 lives. It’s a card that breaks almost every rule of traditional Pokémon card design, and honestly, that’s why we love it.
The Design That Everyone Gets Wrong
Look at the card closely. Kagemaru Himeno, a legendary illustrator who has been with the TCG since Jungle, did the art here. It isn't your typical "Pikachu using Thunderbolt" action shot. Instead, it’s a soft, painterly scene of Pikachu surrounded by flowers and sparkles.
The "RC" in the numbering stands for Radiant Collection. This subset was a direct port of the Japanese PokéKyun Collection. The whole gimmick was "kawaii" or cute aesthetics. While most Ultra Rares at the time were trying to look tough or edgy, Pikachu RC29 leaned into pure charm.
The texture is the real hero here. If you run your thumb over a real copy, you’ll feel a unique, grainy etching that follows the patterns of the flowers and the background. It’s not just flat cardboard. This specific texture is also why it’s so hard to find in a PSA 10. The surface is incredibly sensitive. One tiny scratch and your "Gem Mint" dreams are basically toast.
Key Stats for the Nerds
- Set: Generations (Radiant Collection)
- Card Number: RC29/RC32
- HP: 60
- Type: Lightning
- Rarity: Ultra Rare
- Release Year: 2016
Why is the Price So High Right Now?
Price tags on this card have been doing some gymnastics lately. A few years ago, you could snag a Near Mint copy for maybe $15 or $20. Those days are gone. As of early 2026, you're looking at anywhere from $90 to $130 for a raw, high-condition copy.
Why the jump? Scarcity.
Because Generations was a "special" set, it wasn't printed to oblivion like some modern Sword & Shield or Scarlet & Violet sets. Once the anniversary year ended, the packs disappeared. You can't just walk into a store and find Generations packs on the shelf anymore unless you're willing to pay $40+ per pack.
The grading population is also surprisingly low. According to PSA data, there are only about 450 "Gem Mint" 10s in existence. Compare that to some modern Charizards that have 10,000+ copies in a PSA 10. It makes the Pikachu Full Art RC29 RC32 feel much more exclusive than its "Ultra Rare" status suggests.
Spotting a Fake: The "Full Art" Trap
Since the price climbed, the scammers have moved in. I've seen some pretty terrible fakes on eBay and Mercari.
The biggest giveaway? The holo pattern. On a genuine RC29, the holographic effect is "embedded" in the texture. It doesn't just look like a rainbow sticker slapped on top. If the card is completely smooth and shiny like a mirror, stay away.
Another tell is the "Nuzzle" attack text. Fakes often have weird font spacing or slightly blurry letters. On a real card, the text is crisp, and the energy symbols are perfectly centered. If it looks "off," it probably is.
The Collector's Dilemma: Raw vs Graded
So, should you buy one?
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If you're a binder collector, go for a "Lightly Played" (LP) copy. You can often find these for around $70-$80. The front will look gorgeous, but the back might have some white nicks on the edges. In a binder page, you'll never notice.
However, if you're looking at this as an "investment" (and I hate using that word for cardboard), you really want a PSA 9 or 10. A PSA 10 copy recently sold for over $250, and some listings are pushing even higher. It’s a low-population card of the most iconic mascot in the world. That’s usually a recipe for long-term growth.
Honestly, the Pikachu Full Art RC29 RC32 is one of the few cards that genuinely captures the "spirit" of what makes Pokémon fun. It’s bright, it’s distinct, and it reminds us of the 20th-anniversary hype.
Actionable Steps for Your Collection
If you're looking to add this to your collection today, here is exactly how to do it without getting ripped off.
Check the back edges first. Most "Near Mint" listings are actually "Lightly Played." Look for "whitening" on the blue borders of the back. If you see white dots, that card is likely a Grade 7 or 8 at best.
Verify the texture. Ask the seller for a video or a high-angle photo that shows the light hitting the surface. You want to see those etched lines. No texture means it's a fake.
Compare prices across TCGplayer and eBay. Don't just buy the first one you see. Prices fluctuate by $20 weekly based on who is panic-buying or selling their collection.
Join a specialized Pikachu collector group. There are entire communities on Discord and Facebook dedicated solely to "Pika-collecting." These guys know the difference between a 2016 print and a later reprint better than anyone else.
Final tip: keep an eye on the Japanese version (CP3). Sometimes it’s cheaper, and the quality of the Japanese silver borders is often superior to the English yellow borders. It’s a matter of taste, but it’s a solid alternative if the English price keeps climbing.