Pokémon TCG Classic

Pokémon TCG is returning to its roots with a new product designed especially for two players to have everything needed to play, with some surprises.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game announced it plans to provide a new way to experience the nostalgia of Pokémon TCG's beginnings with everything people need to play a game, all conveniently packaged and featuring classic Kanto-region Pokémon. Pokémon TCG Classic is a high-end commemorative product that could appeal to long-time collectors or those looking to get into the hobby for the first time. This unique collection essentially takes the trading card game experience and transforms it into a board game, allowing everything to be consolidated in one curated experience with everything needed.

Pokémon TCG Classic was one of many things showcased at the Pokémon World Championships 2023, where the deck lists for the compilation were announced. Cards included in the Pokémon TCG Classic set do not have any regulation marks, so they cannot be used in official tournaments. Unlike other varieties of Pokémon cards and expansions, all cards and everything included with Pokémon TCG Classic is designed to be kept together as one collection in its carrying case, much like a traditional board game.

Related: Pokémon TCG Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2023 - Preorders, Cards, Price

Although there is no official release date or price for Pokémon TCG Classic, it's been announced that it will release in late fall of 2023. The Japanese version is scheduled to be released in October for a price of 35,000 yen, or around $240, with the English version following at some point thereafter. Paradox Rift is set to release in English around November 3, 2023, so the Classic set will likely be released after that. Preorders are currently unavailable but will likely appear on Pokémon Center first, once a price and release date have been announced.

Pokémon TCG Classic comes in a specially designed carrying case that unfolds to become a two-player game board that holds everything needed to play a game. This includes:

The game board is designed with marked card placement zones to show Active Pokémon, Benched Pokémon, deck, discard pile, and Prize cards. At the center is a special compartment where the decks and all accessories are easily stored away.

One of the unique features of the game board is a built-in mechanic that takes the place of needing dice or coins to flip. At the center of the toolbox, there are metal orbs that can be rolled down a small chute. If the metal orb lands in a white hole, it is heads, and if it lands in a black hole, it is tails.

Related: Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift - Release Date, Preorders, & New Cards

Pokémon TCG Classic comes with three uniquely curated decks that feature fully evolved Kanto starter Pokémon: Blastoise, Charizard, or Venusaur. Alongside these classic Pokémon are special ex card Pokémon to provide unique strategies and approaches to gameplay. Each of these decks contains a total of 60 cards and is designed to be ready to play immediately.

Every card in the Venusaur and Lugia ex Deck

Card Number

Card

Quantity

001/034

Bulbasaur

2

002/034

Ivysaur

2

003/034

Venusaur

1

004/034

Paras

1

005/034

Parasect

1

006/034

Scyther

1

007/034

Pinsir

1

008/034

Sandshrew

1

009/034

Sandslash

1

010/034

Onix

1

011/034

Hitmonlee

1

012/034

Hitmonchan

1

013/034

Doduo

1

014/034

Dodrio

1

015/034

Chansey

1

016/034

Snorlax

1

017/034

Lugia ex

1

018/034

Bill

4

019/034

Boss's Orders

1

020/034

Computer Search

2

021/034

Poké Ball

2

022/034

Pokémon Fan Club

1

023/034

Pokémon Nurse

1

024/034

Professor Oak

4

025/034

Rare Candy

1

026/034

Rocket's Admin

2

027/034

Sun Seed

1

028/034

Super Rod

1

029/034

Switch

2

030/034

Ultra Ball

2

031/034

VS Seeker

1

032/034

Double Colorless Energy

2

033/034

Grass Energy

8

034/034

Fighting Energy

6

Every card in the Charizard and Ho-Oh ex Deck

Card Number

Card

Quantity

001/034

Charmander

2

002/034

Charmeleon

2

003/034

Charizard

1

004/034

Ponyta

1

005/034

Rapidash

1

006/034

Magmar

1

007/034

Ho-Oh ex

1

008/034

Pikachu

1

009/034

Raichu

1

010/034

Voltorb

1

011/034

Electrode

1

012/034

Zapdos

1

013/034

Clefairy

1

014/034

Clefable

1

015/034

Dunsparce

1

016/034

Stantler

1

017/034

Miltank

1

018/034

Bill

4

019/034

Boss's Orders

1

020/034

Computer Search

2

021/034

Poké Ball

2

022/034

Pokémon Fan Club

1

023/034

Professor Oak

4

024/034

Rare Candy

1

025/034

Rocket's Admin

2

026/034

Scorching Charcoal

1

027/034

Super Rod

1

028/034

Super Scoop Up

1

029/034

Switch

2

030/034

Ultra Ball

2

031/034

VS Seeker

1

032/034

Double Colorless Energy

2

033/034

Fire Energy

8

034/034

Lightning Energy

6

Every card in the Blastoise and Suicune ex Deck

Card Number

Card

Quantity

001/034

Squirtle

2

002/034

Wartortle

2

003/034

Blastoise

1

004/034

Staryu

1

005/034

Starmie

1

006/034

Magikarp

1

007/034

Gyarados

1

008/034

Lapras

1

009/034

Articuno

1

010/034

Suicune ex

1

011/034

Drowzee

1

012/034

Hypno

1

013/034

Mr. Mime

1

014/034

Mewtwo

1

015/034

Lt. Surge's Rattata

1

016/034

Lt. Surge's Raticate

1

017/034

Kangaskhan

1

018/034

Bill

4

019/034

Boss's Orders

1

020/034

Computer Search

2

021/034

Drops in the Ocean

1

022/034

Fisherman

1

023/034

Poké Ball

2

024/034

Pokémon Fan Club

1

025/034

Professor Oak

4

026/034

Rare Candy

1

027/034

Rocket's Admin

2

028/034

Super Rod

1

029/034

Switch

2

030/034

Ultra Ball

2

031/034

VS Seeker

1

032/034

Double Colorless Energy

2

033/034

Water Energy

8

034/034

Psychic Energy

6

Pokémon TCG Classic is a stylish set that appears to be of high-quality materials and is designed as a portable way of having everything one needs to challenge someone to a game of Pokémon TCG. The premium board-game-like quality of it will provide an opportunity for longtime fans of the game to experience nostalgia while having a travel-friendly game set. Meanwhile, it is also designed to give new players a curated, ready-to-play experience that could ease the feeling of overwhelm that can come from Pokémon TCG.

Source: Pokémon Center, The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel