Timeline
Game and non-game card releases in order. Tap any card picture to see it larger.
Promos
Every known unnumbered promo from Oct 1996 to Jan 1999, in release order. This is a separate list from the numbered timeline.
#4 the card is also on the timeline under that number. PRIZE it had to be won in a contest, tournament, draw or test. The No.1–3 Trainer cards reuse the same art at three different events; the text box on each card says which.
Spot the difference
Some early promos came out more than once with the same art. Here’s how to tell them apart.
My checklist
Tick the promos you own. Your ticks are saved in this browser only. Use a backup code to move them to another phone or computer.
Saved in this browser.
Your backup code. Save it somewhere (notes app, email to yourself), then use “Restore from code” on your other device.
Paste a backup code. This replaces the ticks in this browser.
Variants, reprints and related items (not counted)
Just missed: after 9 Jan 1999
Sources and notes
Last updated 20 Oct 2026.
What counts
- The timeline covers card releases, game and non-game, from Bandai Carddass Part 1 (late Sep 1996) to English Base Set (9 Jan 1999). Some non-TCG dates are approximate, and undated sets are ordered by best estimate.
- The promo list covers unnumbered promo cards from the same window, plus the English Pikachu from the Song Best Collection CD. Versions that share art with a listed card (non-glossy prints, reprints) are listed as variants and not counted again.
- Dates are first release. Where sources disagree, a range is shown.
- “Sold listings” links open an eBay search of past sales. Results depend on how sellers name their listings, so check each one.
Sources
- Bulbapedia: Unnumbered Promotional cards 1996–2005
- Elite Fourum: Japanese Exclusive Unnumbered Promo Cards (1996–2001)
- Elite Fourum: 1996 verified timeline of card release dates
- Pokumon: Pokémon TCG timeline
- Pokeboon (Topsun research)
- TCG Collector: Japanese Miscellaneous Promos
Picture credits
Promo scans mostly from TCG Collector, plus Elite Fourum, Bulbapedia and collectors’ own photos.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, a missing card or a better source? Send it here. Several fixes on this page came from collectors on Reddit.
What’s changed
- 20 Oct 2026: New address, vintagecardorigins.com. Added a link for every card, site-wide search, “Spot the difference” guide, source filters, a collection picture, checklist backup codes, sold-listing links and this correction form.
- 19 Oct 2026: First version. Same day, fixes from Reddit collectors: Fossil date (21 June), Team Rocket and Carddass wording, Trainer Decks A & B added, Tropical Present moved to “Just missed”, promo count corrected to 61.
Coming later: English Black Star promos and Neo-era Japanese promos.