Long time Pokémon fans, rejoice! The Pokémon Company has announced a new product with all the trappings of nostalgia. In a bid to allow long-time fans to relive the ‘glory days‘ of the original Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Base Set, the company has announced ‘Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic’. This is a premium package built on the very first Wizards of the Coast debut set, and includes everything someone might need to enjoy friendly battles with friends and family.

With the above in mind, it is worth noting how Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic is not just a re-release of the old cards; since doing so would devalue the originals. For all intents and purposes, it is a completely new product aimed at long-time fans and newcomers alike. As such, it comes with a premium foldable game board, toolbox for storing accessories, three decks featuring the Base Set art of Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, and three premium deck boxes. It certainly looks very sophisticated with a monochrome black and white aesthetic, and is a far cry from previous Ultra Collection boxes.

The Pokémon Company has announced a new product with all the trappings of nostalgia in The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic.
The Pokémon Company has announced a new product with all the trappings of nostalgia in The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic.
The Pokémon Company has announced a new product with all the trappings of nostalgia in The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic game board is extra special. Other than having the placement zones for Active Pokémon, Benched Pokémon, deck, discard pile, and Prize cards in a wonderful contrasting tone – everything needed for gameplay – it also serves as the box for the entire set. Before folding it completely closed, there is a space for the decks and toolbox to fit. It is clear The Pokémon Company have put some decent thought into this premium product.

The seperate toolbox contains stackable damage counters, Poison and Burn markers, metal orbs acting as coins, and an all new ‘heads or tails’ portal. The portal works by allowing the metal orbs to roll down a small chute in the toolbox to determine heads or tails. Long gone are the days of searching for dice or coins to determine who goes first. Let the portal do the choosing! It may seem like a superfluous addition at first, but it is very clear this set is aimed at The Pokémon TCG connoisseur.

The Pokémon Company has announced a new product with all the trappings of nostalgia in The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic.
The Pokémon Company has announced a new product with all the trappings of nostalgia in The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic.

The decks in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic are specially constructed to showcase the classic cards from the original 1999 Base Set, as well as some newly printed cards made specifically for this collection. These include Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex, two powerful Legendary Pokémon to add some spice to player strategies. The decks also have matching Energy symbols on the deck boxes, making them easy to identify. However, these decks are not legal for tournament play – except for the Basic Energy cards. Rather, they are meant to be played casually with family and friends, and as a way to experience the timeless joy provided by Pokémon TCG (sure beats Monopoly).

It certainly appears as if the Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic is designed to be a premium product for TCG players, and although not technically aimed at any one group, it is clear those who decide to purchase this set mean serious business. It will be available in late 2023 at Pokémon Center locations and at local game stores, with pricing still to come.

View Author Profile

Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.