The original Pokémon Trading Card Game Base Set contained 102 cards.
The set was first released in Japan on October 20, 1996, and later appeared in English-speaking markets, where it became one of the most recognizable card collections in the franchise. Its cards were based on Pokémon from the first generation, but the set total was not 151 because it also included Energy and Trainer cards.
The Japanese release and English release used different product structures and publishing arrangements. Media Factory published the Japanese cards, while Wizards of the Coast handled the original English-language release in the United States. This is why collectors may encounter different terminology when discussing the same early card era.
The Base Set is especially famous for its holographic Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur cards. Collectors also distinguish First Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings, which can differ in markings and scarcity. Those printing categories do not change the set’s original card count.