If you're looking to round out your XY-era collection, the mewtwo ex 157/162 from the BREAKthrough set is probably already on your radar. It's one of those cards that just perfectly captures the vibe of the mid-2010s Pokémon TCG scene. Back then, the Full Art EX cards were the absolute peak of what you could pull from a pack, and honestly, even with all the crazy "Special Illustration Rares" we have nowadays, there's something about the clean, textured look of this specific Mewtwo that still holds up.
A Deep Dive into the BREAKthrough Era
To really appreciate the mewtwo ex 157/162, you kind of have to look back at the set it came from. BREAKthrough was released in late 2015, and it was a massive deal because it introduced the "BREAK" mechanic—those gold, horizontal cards that looked a bit weird at first but grew on us. But more importantly, this set was all about Mewtwo. It was literally the face of the expansion, representing the different Mega Evolutions (Mega Mewtwo X and Y).
Because Mewtwo was the star of the show, we actually got a few different versions of it. This particular card, number 157, is the "regular" Full Art version of the standard Mewtwo EX. It's easy to get confused because number 158 is also a Mewtwo EX Full Art in the same set, but with different art and different attacks. While 158 focuses more on the "Scatter Shot" energy-stacking strategy, our 157 friend here is the one featuring the Photon Wave and Psyburn attacks.
Why the Artwork Hits Different
There's a specific aesthetic to the Full Art cards from the XY era that we don't really see anymore. The mewtwo ex 157/162 features that classic "textured" feel—if you run your thumb over it, you can feel those fine ridges that follow the lines of the artwork. It gives the card a premium weight and look that the standard holos just can't match.
The pose on 157 is pretty iconic. Mewtwo is floating there, looking incredibly powerful and slightly menacing, which is exactly how Mewtwo should look. The background is a swirl of purples, blues, and whites, highlighting its psychic energy. One thing I've always loved about the 157 version compared to the 158 is the color balance. It feels a bit cooler, a bit more "classic Mewtwo." It's not trying too hard to be flashy; it's just a solid, beautiful representation of the most legendary clone in the franchise.
The Playability Factor (Then and Now)
Back in 2015 and 2016, if you were playing at a local game store or in larger tournaments, Mewtwo was everywhere. Now, let's be real: the mewtwo ex 157/162 wasn't always the top-tier choice for competitive play compared to its Mega counterparts, but it was a very solid "bridge" card.
Photon Wave only cost one Energy and did 30 damage, but its real value was the secondary effect—reducing the opponent's damage by 30 during their next turn. In a format where every hit point mattered, that could be a lifesaver. Then you had Psyburn, a straightforward 120 damage for three Energy. It wasn't groundbreaking, but it was reliable.
Nowadays, in the "Expanded" format or just for casual kitchen-table games, these numbers feel a bit small compared to the 300+ HP behemoths we see in the Scarlet & Violet era. But that doesn't mean it's useless. It's a nostalgic piece of history that reminds us of a time when the game felt just a little bit slower and more tactical.
Tracking Down a Near-Mint Copy
If you're trying to buy a mewtwo ex 157/162 today, you've got to be a bit careful. Since the card is nearly a decade old (which is wild to think about), finding one in "Pack Fresh" condition is getting harder and harder. Collectors back then weren't always as obsessive about sleeves and top-loaders as we are now.
When you're looking at listings on eBay or TCGPlayer, keep a close eye on the edges. The silver borders of the XY-era EX cards are notorious for showing "silvering"—where the ink chips off the edge, revealing the foil underneath. It happens super easily, even if the card has just been sitting in a box.
Centering is another thing. The mewtwo ex 157/162 often comes with slightly off-center borders, which can be a pain if you're looking to send it off to PSA or BGS for grading. But if you're just looking for a "binder copy," a little bit of off-centering isn't the end of the world. It's all about what makes you happy as a collector.
The Confusion Between 157 and 158
I mentioned this earlier, but it's worth repeating because it trips people up all the time. When you search for a "Mewtwo EX Full Art from BREAKthrough," you're going to see two distinct cards.
- 157/162: The one we're talking about. It has Photon Wave and Psyburn. The art shows Mewtwo in a more upright, floating pose.
- 158/162: This one has the attacks "Shatter Shot" and "Damage Change." This card was actually much more popular in the competitive scene because "Damage Change" allowed you to swap all the damage on Mewtwo with your opponent's active Pokémon. It was a total game-changer.
Because 158 was more "meta," it used to be significantly more expensive. However, as the years have passed and these cards have moved into the realm of collectibles rather than game pieces, the price gap has closed a bit. Many people actually prefer the art on the mewtwo ex 157/162 because it feels more "pure."
Is It Worth Adding to Your Collection?
In my opinion, absolutely. Whether you're a hardcore Mewtwo fan or just someone who loves the XY era, this card is a staple. It represents a specific turning point in the TCG where the art started getting really experimental and high-end.
The market for these mid-era cards is also pretty interesting right now. While they aren't as expensive as the base set Charizards or the crazy rare "Waifu" cards from modern sets, they have a very steady value. People who grew up playing during the XY and Sun & Moon eras are starting to get older and have more disposable income, so they're going back to buy the cards they couldn't afford when they were kids.
Final Thoughts on This Classic Card
There's just something about pulling a Full Art out of a pack that modern "hits" don't quite replicate. Maybe it's the nostalgia talking, but the mewtwo ex 157/162 feels like a "real" Pokémon card. It's not a shiny vault gold card or an alt-art that looks like a painting—it's a powerful, textured, shiny version of one of the coolest characters ever created.
If you happen to find one at a card show or a local shop, take a second to look at it under the light. The way the texture swirls around Mewtwo's psychic orbs is honestly pretty stunning. It's a testament to why we all keep collecting these pieces of cardboard after all these years. It's not just about the value or the game; it's about that feeling of holding a little piece of art in your hand.
So, if you're building a Mewtwo master set, or just want a cool piece of the BREAKthrough expansion, don't sleep on the mewtwo ex 157/162. It's a classic for a reason, and it's likely to stay a fan favorite for a long time to come. Just make sure you get a good sleeve for it—those silver edges aren't getting any younger!