A father films himself opening a Pokémon pack with his children and ends up with a card worth hundreds of euros in his hand.

Since its debut in the mid-1990s, Pokémon has captivated generations of fans across the globe. But for one father and his two kids, the magic of the franchise came to life in a way they’ll never forget.

While opening a pack of Pokémon cards together, the trio hit the jackpot: a stunning Shiny Charizard VMAX. Their reaction—an explosion of joy, disbelief, and pure excitement—was captured in a now-viral Instagram reel that’s melting hearts across social media.

The Holy Grail of shining fates

The family was opening packs from the Shining Fates set, released in March 2021. One of the kids was slowly flipping through the cards on camera, building suspense with each reveal. Near the bottom of the stack came the big moment: a Shiny Ultra Rare Charizard VMAX, the most coveted card in the entire expansion.

While it doesn’t fetch the astronomical prices of a Pikachu Illustrator (which can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars), the Charizard VMAX is still the crown jewel of Shining Fates.

On CardMarket, a well-preserved version typically sells for around $100, but if professionally graded as “perfect,” it can go for closer to $320. It’s not a ticket to instant wealth—but for collectors, it’s a thrilling find.

Why pulling it yourself matters

Sure, you could buy the card outright from a private seller and skip the suspense. But that’s not the point. The real magic lies in the moment—ripping open a pack and discovering a rare card firsthand. That thrill is what keeps fans coming back.

Trading card games like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic: The Gathering all operate on this principle. Each booster pack contains a randomized selection of cards, and the rarest ones—with intricate artwork and limited print runs—are the hardest to find. That element of surprise is part of the fun.

Pokémon’s enduring power

Moments like this remind us why the Pokémon Trading Card Game remains one of the most beloved in the world. It’s not just a faithful adaptation of the video game mechanics—it’s a celebration of nostalgia, community, and the joy of collecting. Whether you’re a kid discovering Pikachu for the first time or a longtime fan chasing shiny Charizards, the magic of Pokémon is timeless.

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