1999 Pokemon Trading Card Game Base Set List

1999 Pokemon Trading Card Game Base Set List

1999 Pokemon Base Set History

The original Pokemon base set was released in Japan in 1996 and later released to the US in 1999 and was the first original English base set after the demo pack with the collection containing 102 cards. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon. The cards are Shadowless, making them considerably valuable to collectors and worth quite a bit of money. 

The original base set was the only set that didn’t contain a set logo or symbol and included the first special edition energy card, Double Colorless Energy. It is the only set and expansion so far not to have a set logo or symbol (with the exception of the error “no symbol” Jungle set cards). It is one of few sets to include Fighting, Fire, Grass, Lightning, Psychic, and Water Energy cards, now commonly known as basic Energy cards. The set also contained Double Colorless Energy, the first special Energy card.

The set is one of the more well-rounded sets available, with a mixed amount of Pokémon of all types, and includes only Pokémon from the original 150. The English release is ordered alphabetically, then by descending rarity (Rare Holo, Rare, Uncommon, Common), followed by Trainer and Energy cards. The set’s four main theme decks were based on four different strategies (offensive, defensive, tactic, and speed).

Charizard is the centerpiece of the 102-card, 1999 1st Edition (Base Set) series, which was the first Pokémon issue unveiled in the U.S. The series was produced by Wizards of the Coast, a company based in Renton, Washington.

On the earlier ‘1st edition’ prints, you will find they may be brighter in color, thinner in font, and have the year 1999 printed twice in the copyright declaration.

The belief is that the bulk of the 1st Edition cards got distributed on the U.S. West Coast. It is unknown the exact number of 1st Edition cards, but it’s been estimated that less than 10,000 of each card was produced and sold.

While the 1st Edition cards are not easy to track down, please note that another “unlimited” version of the cards was produced in higher quantities but is far less valuable. A 1st Edition card is distinguished from an unlimited card by a small circular black stamp on the left (that says “Edition 1”) below the character box on the front.

You may find a rare, duller colored “Shadowless” version of these cards that presents character boxes without a shadow on their right border.  The Shadowless cards command more than the unlimited cards, but not as much as the 1st Edition cards.

1999 Pokemon Card Base Set – Information

Cards featuring different Pokémon lead off the 1st Edition series (#1 to #69). These cards boast yellow borders with the Pokémon’s name and HP at the top above the artwork. The 1st Edition stamp, Pokémon’s vitals (type, length, weight) ensue, followed by the applicable Trading Card Game information. A sentence describing the Pokémon’s special abilities will be found in the lower portion.

The art is just phenomenal in this set, which hasn’t carried through in the Pokémon sets. Some of the current cards, for example, are 3D and computer-generated. They have eye-catching graphics and they’re going for shock value, but they’re not beautiful in the same way.

Cards #70 to #95 in the 1st Edition series are Trainer cards, while #96 to #102 are Energy cards. These cards are also yellow-bordered, but they are not as detailed as the Pokémon cards (#1 to #69).

The card backs flaunt the Pokémon branding and have blue borders.

1999 Pokemon Base Set – Interest and Popularity

The 16 holographic cards at the beginning of the set command the most interest. Next to the Charizard, the Blastoise single (#2) is the second-most coveted card. Blastoise is a ninja-turtle-style Pokémon armed with pressurized water jets on its shell.

The Venusaur is the third-most coveted holographic card (#15). Venusaur appears to be part plant, part dinosaur Pokémon that “blooms when it absorbs solar energy.” Like the Charizard and Blastoise, it is popular because of its status in the Red and Blue video game. 

Every base set Machamp has a 1st Edition stamp. There is no legally produced non-stamped Machamp card. This card was also released in a starter deck, which was readily available.

The “1st issue” print and a few of the following (“2nd issue”) prints have a slightly different design than the standard “unlimited” (“3rd issue”) prints. These early prints are generally brighter in color, use a thinner font, have the year 1999 appear twice in the copyright notice, and lack the shadow around the pictures.

These cards are known as “Shadowless” cards among collectors. Since not many prints were printed as “Shadowless”, these cards are rarer than the “unlimited” print.

Cards printed right before the release of Base Set 2 has the year 2000 were included in their copyright notices. These cards are known as “4th issue” cards and are rarer than the “unlimited” print. Certain “4th issue” cards have a slightly brighter color than the other prints.

1999 Pokemon Trading Card Game Base Set – Basic Game Play

The 1999 Pokémon Trading Card Game consists of 60 playing cards of three categories: Pokémon, Energy, and Trainer cards.

The cards show bold, royal blue designed backs with the fronts displaying cartoon characters with their name, powers, and move instructions.

Seven cards are dealt with each player with each move geared to improving the power of your Basic Pokémon card, improving it with energy, and then attacking your opponent.

There are three ways to win:

1.) By taking all six of your prize cards which are accumulated each time you knock out a Pokémon, you take a prize card;

2.) If your opponent has no more Pokémon in play;

3.) Decking-out: if your opponent cannot draw a card at the start of their turn.

The Pokémon phenomenon took the world by storm and the trading card avenue proved to be extraordinary. 

1999 Pokemon Trading Card Game Base Set – My Story

The Pokemon Trading Card Game hit America and I did not know what it was. I remember seeing the commercials and asking what the heck is a Pokemon? Well, it happened, in the summer of 1999, my oldest daughter came home from her cousins with some Pokemon Cards and wanted me to be her ‘Personal Pokemon Advisor’. The journey began.

I first bought a couple of starter packs and then I started buying Pokemon Card Booster Packs and single cards. I decided that I wanted the complete set. Unfortunately, I was too late for the “1st Edition” of the Pokemon Trading Card Game Base Set. I did complete my set using the “Unlimited” version of the Pokemon Game Base Set.