Pokémon cards have created a phenomenon for fans worldwide. When did Pokemon cards come out? Not everybody knows! Have a look at this blog to find out their fascinating history as well as the best places to get them. Check it out!
When did Pokémon cards come out
“What year did Pokemon cards come out?” is probably one of the concerns of Pokémon cards enthusiasts worldwide. We can see two important milestones in the beginning of Pokémon cards.
1996: The birth of Pokémon cards in Japan
After seeing the potential of Pocket Monster video games, a Japanese toy manufacturer Bandai took the opportunity to create trading cards based on the Green and Red versions.
The release date of these Bandai Carddass cards was found in the September 1996 edition of the Japanese monthly manga magazine CoroCoro, published by Shogakukan.
Some people said that Bandai Carddass cards were released first while others claimed Media Factory Japanese Base Set preceded them.
However, the release date of the Media Factory Japanese Base Set was October 20, 1996. It was seen in the November issue of CoroCoro magazine, too.
Therefore, we can see that Bandai Carddass cards were the first available to the public.
1999: Pokémon card launch in the United States
After their first release in Japan in 1996, the Pokémon cards were released in North America and elsewhere. Then, they gained huge popularity among fans worldwide.
Major Pokémon card expansions and their release dates
“When did Pokemon cards come out?” You definitely have the answer. However, there are many things you will want to know if you are a big fan of Pokémon cards, including their expansion and release date.
Base set and its impact on the Pokémon TCG
The Base Set of Pokémon cards was first released in Japan in 1996 and globally in 1999. It announced the start of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and foretold its huge global popularity.
The Base Set established the key card kinds and the game's fundamental mechanics. Thanks to the uniqueness and nostalgic appeal of these cards, the TCG has attracted many fans not only in Japan but also worldwide.
Key expansion sets from 1999 to 2005
Key expansion sets from 1999 to 2005 include:
- Jungle (1999): Added new Pokémon from the Kanto region, such as Vileplume and Snorlax.
- Fossil (1999): Mainly featured fossil Pokémon and released new mechanics like the "Retrieval" feature.
- Team Rocket (2000): Released Dark Pokémon, giving the game greater strategic depth.
- Neo Genesis (2000): Marked the start of the Neo Series and introduced Johto Pokémon.
- EX Ruby & Sapphire (2003): Increased the power of Pokémon-ex cards and released the EX mechanic.
Evolution of Pokémon cards through major generations
Over time, the Pokémon cards have evolved significantly. You can see their major generations here.
Base set (GEN I)
Base Set was the first generation of Pokémon cards. It was released first in 1999 with 151 Pokémon and an innovative training system and energy cards. This first generation of Pokémon cards was designed to be simple but attractive.
Neo Series (GEN II)
The Neo Series was released and sought-after between 2000 - 2002. It introduced the new characters (Johto Pokémon) and the rarest cards (Shining Charizard).
Pokémon-ex and EX Power (GEN III)
The 2003 Pokémon TCG expansion EX Ruby & Sapphire released Pokémon-ex. From 2003 to 2006, we saw many different expansions, including EX Fire Red & Leaf Green, EX Delta Species, and EX Deoxys. All of them were very popular.
They introduced the sought-after Pokémon-ex cards. The Ancient Mew (13/110) is the rarest card in this set.
Diamond & Pearl's 2007 (GEN IV)
Thanks to the popularity of EX power, Diamond & Pearl's 2007 debut after that. This generation introduced the LV.X cards which increased the power upgrades for existing Pokemon.
Black & White Series (GEN V)
The Black & White series was introduced in the early 2010s. It signaled the arrival of Pokemon from the Unova area. It also introduced the Full Art N (101/101) Trainer card.
XY Series (GEN VI)
XY series is the next generation which debuted in the mid-2010s. The Mega Evolution cards in this generation were quite famous and attractive. Shiny Mega Gyarados EX (123/122) are the rarest cards.
Sun & Moon Series
We saw the release of the Sun & Moon series in the late 2010s. The series introduced the GX cards and key characters such as Solgaleo and Lunala. The Hyper Rare Charizard-GX (150/147) is sought-after mostly.
Sword & Shield Series (GEN VIII)
Sword & Shield is the latest series, which released Galar region Pokemon in 2020. They introduced their main characters, including Zacian and Zamazenta, as well as added V and VMAX cards. The Hyper Rare Charizard-GX (150/147) is one of the rarest cards in this series.
Specific milestones in Pokémon card history
Now, we know the answer to the question “When did Pokemon cards come out?”. Let’s learn about some of their specific milestone, which will make you “wow”!
Introduction of notable sets (e.g., Neo Series, EX Series)
The Pokémon TCG has evolved with many outstanding expansion sets. They include the Neo Series, EX Series, and Diamond & Pearl Series.
- Neo Series: This is the GEN II which released Johto Pokémon and added Shining cards.
- EX Series: This is the Gen III which introduced Pokémon-ex cards. This expansion set provided strong attack strength but carried a two-prize penalty when knocked out.
- Diamond & Pearl Series: This is the GEN IV which added Lv. X cards. This set increased player depth and strategic possibilities.
Special editions and collaborative packs
In Pokémon TCG, special editions and collaborative packs are exclusive sets that are published in association with other companies, during special occasions, or to mark significant occasions.
Pokemon TCG x Mario & Luigi
The collaborations between Pokemon TCG and Mario and Luigi may be the most famous collaboration. In 2016, two special box sets featuring Mario or Luigi version of the Pikachu card game. The products became sought-after among enthusiasts and fans.
Pokemon TCG x Munch: The Scream
In 2018, the Pokemon Company and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum collaborated with Edvard Munch to create five unique cards that were designed after the painting The Scream.
The cards featured a Pokemon imitating the well-known "scream" expression. Mimigma, Psiana, Meowth, Solrock, and Gengar are the names of each card in this set.
Pokemon TCG x Artist Collective
By collaborating with many gifted artists in recent years, the Pokemon TCG has produced beautiful card art. One of them is the most stunning holographic card in the Pokemon TCG.
This is the result of the collaboration between Pokemon TCG and the artist collective "3D-DCG".
Pokemon TCG x McDonald's
Since 2011, we have seen many special McDonald's Pokemon TCG promos, One of them is Happy Meals. Depending on their rarity and condition, these promo cards can be highly sought-after by collectors.
Pokemon TCG x First Partner Packs
On the 25th anniversary of the Pokemon TCG, they released a special edition "First Partner Packs". The items include oversized cards of the starting Pokemon from each generation.
Comparison of early sets vs. modern sets
The Pokémon cards have evolved significantly in both card design and gameplay. There are many changes between the oldest Pokemon cards and modern ones.
Changes in card design and artwork
There are many changes in the design and artwork between the early sets and modern sets.
- Early Sets: These cards were designed simply with basic backgrounds. They emphasized the Pokémon itself. The card frames were subtle and uniform.
- Contemporary Sets: Contemporary cards have dynamic stances, full art, colorful designs, and sophisticated patterns. Some of them often use complex detailing and larger visuals. Unique patterns, Full Art Trainer cards, and alternate artwork all contribute to the collectibility and visual appeal of the product.
Evolution of game mechanics and gameplay
- Early Sets: The early sets established the game with basic attacks and uncomplicated energy requirements. The gameplay was quite limited in abilities and effects. Instead, they emphasized primarily direct combat.
- Modern Sets: The modern sets increased powerful abilities and focused on multi-prize strategies, and single-use, game-changing moves. Besides, their visual seemed to be more attractive and they had a strategic diversity, which created intricate deck-building and varied play styles
Where to buy 1st edition Pokémon cards?
We are done with “When did Pokémon cards come out?”. So, where can we buy 1st edition Pokémon cards? Many famous sources offer items related to Pokémon.
Let’s have a look at the most popular sources to see if we can buy the 1st Edition Pokémon cards.
Pokémon TCG Online Store
The Pokémon TCG Online Store is the official shop for Pokémon Trading Card Game products, offering a variety of items. However, it mostly concentrates on new Pokémon card releases and merchandise, rather than first edition or oldest Pokemon cards.
Therefore, if you just want to buy the 1st edition Pokémon cards, The Pokémon TCG Online Store is not a good place for you.
Mercari
Mercari is a popular marketplace for buying 1st Edition Pokémon cards, especially in Japan and the U.S. However, it's a marketplace, you need to be careful to confirm authenticity, read seller feedback, and carefully examine item photographs before buying.
Besides, this platform does not provide international shipping. Therefore, foreign buyers usually use a proxy service called Japan Flow to order.
Tcgplayer
TCGPlayer is a good place to buy 1st Edition Pokémon cards. It offers a marketplace where vendors sell cards from different expansions, including older sets. You may frequently discover the 1st Edition cards from reliable dealers on TCGPlayer.
All the items on TCGPlayer display card conditions, pricing, and rarity. Before making a purchase, be sure to verify authenticity and condition by looking at seller ratings and card descriptions.
Learn more: How Can You Tell If a Pokemon Card is First Edition? The Key Characteristics Here!
Reddit (r/pkmntcg)
Sometimes, you can find the oldest Pokemon card on Reddit. In addition to discussing trustworthy sellers and grading services, members frequently submit listings and offer guidance on purchasing cards.
It's not a marketplace like eBay or TCGPlayer, but it's a good location to meet other collectors and get leads on where to obtain real first-edition cards with authenticity. Before making any purchases on Reddit, always review user reputations and trade history.
How to order Pokémon Cards from Japan with Japan Flow
Step 1: Browse Japanese marketplaces
Start by visiting the Japanese websites where you want to buy Pokémon cards. Some websites offer multiple language options, while others may not.
To make things easier, we recommend using Google Chrome, as it can automatically translate the site if you don’t know Japanese.
Step 2: Search for items
Use the search box to look for your favorite Pokémon cards. If you're unsure which cards to buy, you can use categories and filters to help you find what you're looking for more quickly.
Step 3: Check product information
Once you’ve found a Pokémon card you want to buy, click on the image or title to go to the product page. This page will provide all the details about the card.
Step 4: Copy and paste the item URL on Japan Flow
After deciding on your item, copy the URL from the product page. Next, head to Japan Flow’s buying request form and paste the link into the designated area. This will help you process your order smoothly through our platform.
Step 5: Complete Your Order with Japan Flow
Before finalizing your order, double-check the purchase information. Follow the prompts on Japan Flow to complete your initial payment.
After we receive your payment, you’ll need to wait for your items to arrive at Japan Flow’s local facility. Once your items are received and packaged, we will calculate the international shipping fee.
You’ll get a notification to pay for shipping, and after you complete that payment, you can relax as Japan Flow takes care of the rest!
FAQs
When did Pokémon cards first appear?
Pokémon cards first appeared in Japan in late September 1996. It was introduced first by Bandai. The cards became famous quickly and were brought to other countries in 1999.
How many 1st edition Pokémon cards were printed?
The number of 1st Edition Pokémon cards printed is unknown. We only know that the Base Set was released on October 20, 1996, and featured the original 102 Pokémon cards.
What was the first Pokemon card?
The “Green Version” card was the first Pokemon card ever made. It was released in late September of 1996 by Bandai Carddass.
Were Pokemon cards popular in the 90s?
In the 1990s, Pokémon cards were extremely popular. They became a cultural phenomenon after being released in Japan in 1996 and abroad in 1999.
Now, we know when did pokemon cards come out and where to buy cards. The Pokémon cards have evolved into a highly sought-after mainstay for gamers, collectors, and enthusiasts. The TCG demonstrates that Pokémon is a timeless game by bridging generations and preserving its essence.