Base Set
Set Details
Put the power in your hand with the Pokémon trading card game!
The hugely successful Pokémon Game Boy® game was just the beginning of the Pokémon phenomenon. Now, with the trading card game, you can train your favorite Pokémon to pit them against a rival’s Pokémon in a fight to the finish! Increase their powers with Energy, and your Pokémon will launch the special attacks you’ve seen in the popular Pokémon animated TV show!
Choose your favorite Pokémon from the random cards in this booster pack to customize a Pokémon theme deck or starter set. Or design your own undefeatable deck by combining prized Pokémon and trainers. The possibilities are endless!
Do you have the skills to become the world’s number-one Pokémon Master? Master the Pokémon trading card game and find out!
Pokémon Base Set marked the exciting beginning of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, originally released as the Expansion Pack (Japanese: 拡張パック). This iconic first set introduced players to the captivating world of Pokémon cards, directly inspired by the legendary video games Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green. Officially launched in English on January 9, 1999, and earlier in Japan on October 20, 1996, the Base Set featured exclusively Generation I Pokémon, making it instantly nostalgic and collectible. Due to its vintage nature and unique artwork, the Base Set remains highly prized among collectors worldwide, often fetching impressive prices in today’s market.
The Base Set Pokémon Set is distinguished by several unique printing variations. Notably, the 1st Edition cards and the closely related Shadowless cards are particularly sought-after due to their rarity and subtle printing distinctions. These early prints can be recognized by thinner HP and attack texts, and importantly, the absence of the shadow effect around the Pokémon’s artwork frame. A later and equally interesting variation, often called the fourth print, differs from earlier prints primarily through a small but notable copyright update, displaying “1999-2000.”
One intriguing aspect about the Base Set Pokémon Set lies in its card ordering methodology. The English version arranges cards by type (Pokémon, Trainer, Energy), then by rarity (Rare Holo, Rare, Uncommon, Common), and finally alphabetically by name, creating an organized and logical approach for collectors. Meanwhile, the original Japanese release employed a unique method: Pokémon cards were sorted first by type, then by ascending rarity (considering Rare and Rare Holo equal), followed sequentially by National Pokédex number, and finally by Trainer and Energy cards. These fascinating ordering methods highlight how cultural differences shaped even subtle aspects of this legendary set’s design, further enriching its allure for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Base Set Cards
