17/09/2025
Base Set is the name given to the first main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Expansion Pack, the first expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon. The English expansion was released on January 9, 1999, while the Japanese expansion was released on October 20, 1996. Although not part of the TCG, Bandai Pokémon Cards Part 1 Green & Part 2 Red (September 1996) is regarded as pre-dating the Japanese Base set, and therefore is the oldest known Pokémon Card release.
The Shadowless print mirrored the 1st Edition print except for the 1st Edition logo. All cards in the 1st Edition and Shadowless runs were printed with thinner HP and attack text. These cards were without drop shadows for the artwork window. The fourth print run mirrored the Unlimited print, with the only difference being the copyright date, which reads "1999-2000".
The English release are ordered by card type (Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards), then by rarity (Rare Holo, Rare, Uncommon, Common), lastly, alphabetically by card name. The Japanese release are ordered by the types first, then ascending rarity (Rare and Rare Holo are considered the same), then National Pokédex number, followed by Trainer and Energy cards.
