A Landmark in Trading Card History

When Pokémon Base Set arrived in English on 9 January 1999, it introduced collectors and players to an exciting new world of Pokémon cards. Published during the early international growth of the Pokémon franchise, the set brought familiar Pokémon from the original games into a structured trading-card experience.

The expansion contains 102 numbered cards: 69 Pokémon cards, 26 Trainer cards and 7 Energy cards. Its selection includes celebrated Pokémon such as Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Mewtwo, Pikachu and many other Generation I favourites.

Base Set remains an important reference point for collectors because of its distinctive early artwork, different print runs and enduring place in Pokémon history. For some enthusiasts, completing the original set represents one of the defining experiences of vintage Pokémon card collecting.

Base Set at a Glance

• Series: Original Pokémon TCG Series
• Expansion: Base Set
• English release: 9 January 1999
• Set code: BS
• Numbered cards: 102
• Holographic rares: 16
• Pokémon generation: Generation I
• Next English expansion: Jungle

Historic Theme Decks

Base Set also featured introductory theme decks including Overgrowth, Zap!, Brushfire and Blackout. These preconstructed decks formed part of the early Pokémon TCG playing and collecting experience.