Let's travel back in time, trainers!
The Pokémon TCG is not just a game: it is a time capsule that holds 25+ years of history, innovation and passion . Today we'll explore the milestones that turned these cards into a global phenomenon, with official data and tips for collectors.
1. 1996: The Birth in Japan
Verified data :
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The first edition, "Base Set" was released in Japan in October 1996 with 102 cards.
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Unique Design : The Japanese cards had silver edges (not gold) and kanji texts. Source: Official Pokémon Archive .
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Fun fact : The first official tournament was in Tokyo, with a prize of a trip to Hawaii. The winner used a deck based on Hitmonchan !
Activity :
Do you have old Japanese cards? Look for the symbol "©1995" in the lower corner: it's the signature of the first edition!
2. 1999: The Global Explosion
Key expansion :
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In January 1999, TCG arrived in the US with the "Base Set" in English , including iconic cards such as Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur .
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Sales record : In 2000, 1,000 units were sold 4.5 billion letters worldwide. Fountain: The Washington Post .
Advice for collectors :
The letters of "Shadowless" (without shadow in the art frame) are more valuable. Example: Charizard Shadowless in PSA 10 sold for $420,000 in 2022.
3. 2003-2024: Innovations that Revolutionized the Game
Evolution of mechanics :
| Year | Innovation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Cards EX (with skills) | Blaziken EX (Ruby & Sapphire) |
| 2017 | Cards GX (single movement) | Tapu Lele GX (Guardians Rising) |
| 2020 | Cards VMAX (gigamax) | Eternatus VMAX (Darkness Ablaze) |
4. 2021: The Investment Boom
Real data :
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In 2021, a letter Pikachu Illustrator was sold for $5,275,000 , Guinness record. Certified by Heritage Auctions .
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Why invest? :
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The letters PSA 10 (highest rating) increase their value by 20-30% per year according to PWCC Marketplace .
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Useful tool :
Use PriceCharting to track the value of your cards in real time.
How Much Do You Know About TCG History?
Quiz (answers at the end of the article):
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In what year was the first edition launched in Spain?
a) 1999 | b) 2001 | c) 2003 -
Which card holds the record for auction sales?
a) Charizard 1st Ed. | b) Pikachu Illustrator | c) Blastoise Shadowless
Legal Notice :
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The card images belong to The Pokémon Company International .
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Cards4All.shop is not affiliated with Pokémon, but we promote ethical collecting.
Quiz Answers :
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b) 2001 (the TCG arrived in Spain in June 2001 with the edition Base Set ).
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b) Pikachu Illustrator ($5.2M in 2022).
Did you like it? Comment on your all-time favorite card!
