The Pokémon Trading Card Game (ポケモンカードゲーム, Pokemon Kādo Gēmu, "Pokémon Card Game"), abbreviated as PTCG or Pokémon TCG, is a collectible card game developed by Creatures Inc. based on the Pokémon franchise. Standard gameplay cards include Pokémon cards, energy cards, trainer cards, and stadium cards, a variant of trainer cards. Pokémon cards contain data about the creature's type, attacks, ability, and HP as well as any special effects the cards have on the game. Basic (unevolved) Pokémon can change into their evolved forms during the game by playing subsequent evolution cards in the deck. Energy cards can be attached to Pokémon cards to power up attacks, and trainer cards can be used for different effects on the game. Card effects often rely on elements of luck, such as dice rolls and coin tosses, to decide an outcome. Counters are stacked on top of cards in play to indicate damage dealt, and players may choose to put their Pokémon cards on a bench to switch to a different attacker.
The game was originally released in Japan by Media Factory in 1995 as Pocket Monsters, which was based on the Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow Game Boy video games. Beginning in 1998, Pokémon trading cards were released in North America by Wizards of the Coast, which was known at the time for producing Magic: The Gathering. Wizards of the Coast released one demo set and eight expansion sets of cards for the first generation of Pokémon as well as nine expansion sets for the second generation of Pokémon. In June 2003, publishing rights were transferred from Wizards to The Pokémon Company. Since the release of EX Ruby and Sapphire in 2003, the Pokémon Company has handled publishing for every English-language expansion of the series.
Competitive challenges have been a part of the game since its early inception in Japan. Wizards of the Coast handled early tournaments during the Pokémon Trading Card Game League era, during which local competitions were held at American venues such as Toys "R" Us. A wide set of prizes, including Pokémon badges and Pokémon cards, were offered as prizes during this time. Competition has continued since the Pokémon Company assumed the role of publishing in 2003.
Spin-off media for the Pokémon Trading Card Game include the video game adaptation of the same name for Game Boy Color, the Pokémon: Play It! series for PC, Pokémon TCG Online, and Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS. As of March 2024, the game has produced over 64.8 billion cards worldwide.
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