The English Pokémon Trading Card Game Base Set was released in 1999.
The Base Set was the first English-language Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion. It introduced English-speaking players to cards based on the original 151 Pokémon, including the highly sought-after holographic Charizard card.
The Japanese Pokémon Card Game began earlier, with its first expansion released in 1996. The English release therefore followed the Japanese card game by several years. This difference often causes confusion when people discuss the Pokémon TCG’s beginning.
The Base Set used a distinctive numbering system and included cards for Pokémon, Trainers, and Energy. Its popularity helped establish organized play, collecting, trading, and later expansions as major parts of the Pokémon brand. Subsequent sets added new regions, mechanics, and Pokémon generations.