Shortly after the 1996 release of Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green in Japan, the Pokemon - or Pocket Monster - trading card game followed closely behind. The game would not see a North American release until 1998, but despite where the TCG was released, Pokemon was a hit. This card game would bring in new generations of players into the world of TCGs, which at that time was dominated by the ever-popular Magic: The Gathering. Unlike M: TG, Pokemon appeared to a broader audience, such as children, thanks to the colorful and fun nature of the game. New expansion decks are released fairly often, and the Pokemon TCG is as popular as ever with no signs of slowing down.

Pokemon cards have also become hot collector's pieces. We all know that the first edition base holographic Charizard card is one of the most valuable Pokemon cards - and TCG cards - of all time. But where do you begin if you're new to all of this? There are thousands of cards out there, and it can be overwhelming! We'll walk you through the basics of the Pokemon TCG so you can get up to speed! For the sake of ease, we will only be focusing on the physical cards and not the e-cards for this TCG. In this article, we are also only focusing on generations 1 through 4.

First Generation Cards

The Original Deck

Distributed in Japan by Media Factory in 1996, and distributed in North America via Wizards of the Coast beginning in 1998 with a demo game pack. The proper base set would not be released until 1999 in North America. Both the Japanese and American sets consist of 102 cards. The first print run of the base set is known as the "Shadowless" run due to the lack of a shadow around the Pokemon image. These first edition, or first print cards, are some of the most valuable Pokemon cards you can own.

Once Wizards started a second print run in North America, the base set was broken up into Shadowless (for the first run) and Unlimited. Unlimited cards have a shadow around the Pokemon image. There is some discrepancy in the number of print runs made for the base set in North America; it is safe to say there are at least 5.

The Expansion Sets

  • Jungle: Released in summer 1999. Jungle had 64 cards in North America, and 45 in Japan.

  • Fossil: Known as Mystery of the Fossils in Japan. Released in the summer of 1997 in Japan, and in the fall of 1999 in North America. This set has 62 cards in North America.

  • Base Set 2: Released in early 2000 in North America. There is no Japanese version. Base Set 2 had 130 cards.

  • Team Rocket: Known as Rocket Gang in Japan. Released in the winter of 1997 in Japan and in the spring of 2000 in North America. This set had 82 cards in North America, with a "secret" 83rd card - Dark Raichu.

  • Gym Heroes: Known as Gym Expansion 1 Leaders' Stadium in Japan. Released in the fall of 1998 in Japan and in the summer of 2000 in North America. This set had 132 cards in North America.

  • Gym Challenge: Known as Gym Expansion 2 Challenge from the Darkness in Japan. Released in the summer of 1999 in Japan and in the fall of 2000 in North America. This set had 132 cards in North America.

Second Generation Cards


Neo Cards

  • Neo Genesis: Features Gen II Pokemon in this set. Known as Gold, Silver, To A New World in Japan. Released first in Japan in early 2000 in Japan, and winter of 2000 in North America. This set introduces new types including Baby, Metal, and Darkness. This set had 111 cards in North America.

  • Neo Discovery: Known as Crossing the Ruins in Japan. Released in the summer of 2000 in Japan, and summer of 2001 in North America. This set had 75 cards in North America.

  • Neo Revelation: Known as Awakening Legends in Japan. This set was released in the fall of 2000 in Japan, and the fall of 2001 in North America. This set had 64 cards in North America.

  • Neo Destiny: Known as Darkness, and to Light in Japan. Released in the spring of 2001 in Japan, and early 2002 in North America. This set had 105 cards in North America.

Legendary Collection

This set is unique in that it is the only expansion for the Legendary series. This set reintroduced cards from the Base set, the Jungle set, the Fossil set, and Team Rocket. This set also introduced Reverse Holofoil cards. There are 110 cards in this North American set. There is no Japanese equivalent.

Third Generation Cards

The EX Series

  • EX Ruby and Sapphire: The first set to feature Generation III Pokemon. This set also introduced Pokemon-ex characters, which are stronger than normal Pokemon. The card layout was also updated. This set was released in early 2003 in Japan and in the summer of 2003 in North America. This set has 109 cards in North America.

  • EX Sandstorm: Known as Miracle of the Desert in Japan. This set was released in the spring of 2003 in Japan, and fall of 2003 in North America. This set has 100 cards in North America.

  • EX Dragon: Known as Rulers of the Heavens in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2003 in Japan, and the fall of 2003 in North America. This set has 97 cards in North America.

  • EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua: Known as Magma Vs Aqua: Two Ambitions in Japan. This set was released in the fall of 2003 in Japan, and spring of 2004 in North America. This set has 95 cards in North America.

  • EX Hidden Legends: Known as Undone Seal in Japan. This set was released in early 2004 in Japan, and summer of 2004 in North America. This set has 101 cards in North America.

  • EX FireRed and LeafGreen: Known as Flight of Legends in Japan. This set was released in the spring of 2004 in Japan, and summer of 2004 in North America. This set has 112 cards in North America.

  • EX Team Rocket Returns: Known as Rocket Gang Strikes Back in Japan. This set was released in the fall of 2004 in Japan and North America. This set has 109 cards in North America.

  • EX Deoxys: Known as Clash of the Blue Sky in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2004 in Japan, and early 2005 in North America. This set has 107 cards in North America.

  • EX Emerald: This set does not have a Japanese equivalent. Released in the spring of 2005. This set has 106 cards.

  • EX Unseen Forces: Known as Golde Sky, Silvery Ocean in Japan. This set was released in the spring of 2005 in Japan, and the summer of 2005 in North America. This set has 115 cards in North America.

  • EX Delta Species: Known as Holon Research Tower in Japan. This set was released in the fall of 2005 in Japan and North America. This set has 113 cards in North America.

  • EX Legend Maker: Known as Mirage Forest in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2005 in Japan, and early 2006 in North America. This set has 92 cards in North America.

  • EX Holon Phantoms: Known as Holon Phantom in Japan. This set was released in early 2006 in Japan and in the spring of 2006 in North America. This set has 110 cards in North America.

  • EX Crystal Guardians: Known as Miracle Crystal in Japan. This set was released in the spring of 2006 in Japan, and the summer of 2006 in North America. This set has 100 cards in North America.

  • EX Dragon Frontiers: Known as Offense and Defense of the Furthest Ends in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2006 in Japan, and in the fall of 2006 in North America. This set has 101 cards in North America.

  • EX Power Keepers: Known as World Champions Pack in Japan. This set was released in early 2007 in North America, and summer of 2007 in Japan. This set has 108 cards in both North America and Japan.

Fourth Generation Cards

Diamond and Pearl Series

  • Diamond & Pearl: The first set of the fourth generation cards. This expansion introduces Pokemon LV.X, which are leveled-up, more powerful Pokemon. This generation introduced a new card design, a new numbering system, and updated rules. This set was known as the Diamond Collection and Pearl Collection in Japan. This set was released in the fall of 2006 in Japan, and the spring of 2007 in North America. This set has 130 cards in North America.

  • Mysterious Treasures: Known as Secret of the Lakes in Japan. This set was released in the spring of 2007 in Japan, and the summer of 2007 in North America. This set contains 123 cards in North America.

  • Secret Wonders: Known as Shining Darkness in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2007 in Japan, and the fall of 2007 in North America. This set contains 132 cards in North America.

  • Great Encounters: Released in early 2008 in North America. This set contains 106 cards in North America.

  • Majestic Dawn: Released in the spring of 2008 in North America. This set contains 100 cards in North America.

  • Legends Awakened: Known as Cry from the Mysterious, and Temple of Anger in Japan - where it was a dual expansion. This set was released in the spring of 2008 in Japan and in the summer of 2008 in North America. This set contains 146 cards in North America.

  • Stormfront: Known as Intense Flight in the Destroyed Sky in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2008 in Japan, and the fall of 2008 in North America. This set contains 100 cards in North America.

Platinum Series

  • Platinum: The second expansion series in the Gen 4 line. This line introduced the Pokemon SP line, which are basic Pokemon. This set was released in the fall of 2008 in Japan, and early 2009 in North America. This set contains 127 cards in North America.

  • Rising Rivals: Known as Bonds to the End of Time in Japan. This set was released in the winter of 2008 in Japan and spring of 2009 in North America. This set contains 111 cards in North America.

  • Supreme Victors: Known as Beat of the Frontier in Japan. This set was released in the spring of 2009 in Japan and in the summer of 2009 in North America. This set contains 147 cards in North America.

  • Arceus: Known as Advent of Arceus in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2009 in Japan and in the fall of 2009 in North America. This set contains 99 cards in North America.

HeartGold & SoulSilver

  • HeartGold & SoulSilver: The third expansion series in the Gen 4 line. This line introduced Pokemon Prime and Pokemon LEGEND. This set was released in the fall of 2009 in Japan, and early 2010 in North America. This set contains 123 cards in North America.

  • Unleashed: Released in the spring of 2010 in North America. Unleashed does not have a Japanese version. This set contains 95 cards in North America.

  • Undaunted: Known as Reviving Legends in Japan. This set was released in early 2010 in Japan and in the summer of 2010 in North America. This set contains 90 cards in North America.

  • Triumphant: Known as Clash at the Summit in Japan. This set was released in the summer of 2010 in Japan and in the fall of 2010 in North America.

Call of Legends

  • Call of Legends: The fourth and final expansion series in the Gen 4 line, and does not have a Japanese version. This set was released in early 2011 in North America. This set has 95 cards in North America.