CardboardDex editorial · 2 min read · Reviewed Oct 12, 2026
1996 · The game begins in Japan
The Pokémon Trading Card Game began in Japan in 1996, bringing the video games' creatures into a physical card game. Battles became something players could arrange on a table, while illustrations gave collectors another way to enjoy their favorite Pokémon.
That combination still helps explain the hobby: one person may focus on a deck's strategy, another on an illustrator, and another on a particular Pokémon. A collection does not need to serve only one purpose.
1999 · An international audience
The English-language TCG reached the United States in 1999. Early releases helped establish cards as part of Pokémon's international appeal alongside the games and animation.
When exploring those cards today, distinguish an original release from a later card that revisits its artwork. Familiar illustrations do not necessarily mean the same set, printing, or age. Use set identity and collector numbers to build your own timeline.
A game that keeps changing
Across later expansions, Pokémon TCG continued to develop both its play experience and its visual variety. Organized events provide a place to learn and compete, while changing card eligibility encourages players to revisit their decks.
Collectors can follow those changes through the catalog: compare artwork across languages, follow one Pokémon through several eras, or build a binder page around a recurring visual theme. Release dates give that exploration a useful starting point.
2026 · Thirty years of cards
Pokémon's 30th Celebration expansion launched on September 16, 2026, with a coordinated worldwide release. Its products illustrate another feature of the modern hobby: the expansion launch and individual product releases can follow different schedules.
This is a brief introduction, not an exhaustive expansion chronology. Use the release directory to explore catalog dates and the official sources below for the broader company history.