
Can you hear the excited squeals of 90s kids around the world!?
In commemoration of the Pokémon trading card game’s 20th anniversary next year, the Pokémon Company has revealed that they will be reissuing starter sets of the first-generation cards originally sold in Japan in October 1996 (the earliest English-language cards didn’t find their way to the United States until 1998).
Check out the official tweet announcement below:
ポケモンカードゲームの原点が再び! ポケモンカードゲームXY BREAK「ポケットモンスターカードゲーム スターターパック」が2月27日(土)に発売決定! https://t.co/PgjMDK2yv2 #ポケモンカード pic.twitter.com/7IRN2iiZYH
— ポケモン公式 (@Pokemon_cojp) December 25, 2015
While the released image shows a box labeled “Pocket Monsters Card Game Starter Pack” in Japanese, this title is perhaps a bit misleading. As the box will include 60 cards, a coin, and a game-play manual, it’s probably more accurate to call this nostalgic gem a “starter deck.” The sets will be available in Japan on February 27, 2016 for 1,300 yen (US$10.80) each.
In addition, the company has also announced that they will be releasing two additional products. The first will be protective card slip covers styled after the original first-generation Japanese card designs for 715 yen ($5.94). The second will be a special 20th anniversary edition of a rubber play mat for competitive players and will retail for 5,000 yen ($41.54).
Details about the upcoming releases are still scarce, but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as we find out any new information!
Source: Kai-You
Featured image: Twitter/@Pokemon_cojp

Uniqlo releasing first-ever Pokémon T-shirts inspired by Trading Card Game artwork【Photos】
24-karat gold Pikachu card released to celebrate Pokémon card game’s 20th anniversary
Pokémon Center superstores won’t sell new Pokémon cards in-store, but will it stop scalpers?
Pokémon’s full minute-long version of epic Super Bowl ad streamed to celebrate 20th anniversary
Daiso creates its own collectible trading card game, and yes, the packs are just 100 yen【Video】
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Hardcore Pokémon fans in Japan are spending a TON of money on Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Japan’s new trading card game hit has pictures of real-life middle-aged men on every card【Video】
Japan Post Office to release commemorative Pokémon stamps based on original, iconic trading cards
Celebrate Pokémon’s 20th anniversary with a quick poké-history lesson【Video】
McDonald’s Japan announces Pokémon Trading Card Happy Meals with guaranteed Pikachus
Japanese gamer furniture company creates cabinets just for collectible trading card gamers【Pics】
The best, most adorable “Pokémon 20th anniversary” artwork shared online by fans
Japan’s Pokémon Trading Card nap cushions could be yours for drinking Pokémon canned coffee
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
New Pokémon card game lounge opening in downtown Tokyo with free drinks, snacks, and loaner decks
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Akihabara card shop asks visitors to stop getting liquored up inside the store
Stores in Japan ask customers to prove they’re real Pokémon fans when buying cards to stop scalpers
Tokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
Japanese collector shows off 31 Pokémon cards in collection worth a total of… how much?!【Video】
Pokémon chooses Katy Perry for 25th anniversary celebration song teased in awesome Poké Ball video