Pokémon has been considered one of the most iconic and legendary franchises which have touched every corner of media. Although, the question here is exactly how many pokémon cards are there? If we look at the game’s long history, Pokémon has released thousands of cards. The Pokémon Trading Card was originally released on October 20, 1996, in Japan, and then, later on, was released in English on January 9, 1999. After that, there have been numerous sets of cards that have been released. In this article, we have mentioned the list of pokémon trading card game sets and all the cards present in them.
How many Pokemon Cards are there?
There is nothing that Pokémon has left to entertain their fans from video games to anime and even the popular trading card game. So, how many pokémon cards are there? There are about 905 Pokemon cards considering the unique sets of its first 8 generations. However, adding up all the categories of movies, series, and other forms of entertainment, the total number reaches 1311. Must read When did Pokémon Cards come out?
List of Pokémon Trading Card Game Sets
To get a complete view of how many pokémon cards are there, here is the list of pokémon trading card game sets that have been released generation-wise, and also the cards featured in them.
1. First Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
Pokémon has always tried to maintain its popularity, releasing loads of new cards and also booster sets every year. The now-legendary base set was launched in the first generation. It got released in English in 1999, this sets contains a base number of 102 cards, making it a total of 151 cards. Although, the game later expanded, as six new packs were added in the generation.
| Number | Name | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base Set 1 | 102 | January 9, 1999 |
| 2 | Jungle | 64 | June 16, 1999 |
| 3 | Fossil | 62 | October 10, 1999 |
| 4 | Base Set 2 | 130 | February 24, 2000 |
| 5 | Team Rocket | 83 | April 24, 2000 |
| 6 | Gym Heroes | 132 | August 12, 2000 |
| 7 | Gym Challenge | 132 | October 2000 |
Many pokémon from this generation have been featured as some of the best Pokémon cards of all time. Keep reading further to know how many pokémon cards are there in the next generations. (See Top 10 Pokemon Characters of All-Time)
2. Second Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
Generation 2 extensively expanded the range of cards in the game, to about 100 cards. This generation witnessed the release of eight new sets, many of these sets contained more cards than the Generation 1 sets that came before them. A few new legendary pokémon were added to this generation and also to the list of pokémon trading card game sets.
| Number | Name | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neo Genesis | 111 | December 16, 2000 |
| 2 | Neo Discovery | 75 | June 1, 2001 |
| 3 | Neo Revelation | 66 | September 21, 2001 |
| 4 | Neo Destiny | 133 | February 28, 2001 |
| 5 | Legendary Collection | 110 | May 24, 2001 |
| 6 | Expedition Base Set | 165 | September 15, 2002 |
| 7 | Aquapolis | 186 | January 15, 2003 |
| 8 | Skyridge | 182 | May 12, 2003 |
3. Third Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
This generation of card added another new 135 Pokémon, the most famous creatures of this generation was Flying-Ground-type Flygon, the Pikachu-Esque pair Plusle, and Minun.
| Number | Name | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EX Ruby & Saphire | 109 | June 18, 2003 |
| 2 | EX Sandstorm | 100 | September 17, 2003 |
| 3 | EX Dragon | 100 | November 24, 2003 |
| 4 | EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua | 97 | March 15, 2004 |
| 5 | EX Hidden Legends | 102 | June 14, 2004 |
| 6 | EX FireRed & LeafGreen | 116 | August 30, 2004 |
| 7 | EX Team Rockets Returns | 111 | November 8, 2004 |
| 8 | EX Deoxys | 108 | February 14, 2005 |
| 9 | EX Emerald | 107 | May 9, 2005 |
| 10 | EX Unseen Forces | 145 | August 22, 2005 |
| 11 | EX Delta Species | 114 | October 31, 2005 |
| 12 | EX Legend Maker | 93 | February 13, 2006 |
| 13 | EX Holon Phantoms | 111 | May 3, 2006 |
| 14 | EX Crystal Guardians | 100 | August 30, 2006 |
| 15 | EX Dragon Frontiers | 101 | November 8, 2006 |
| 16 | EX Power Keepers | 108 | February 14, 2007 |
4. Fourth Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
This generation added 107 new Pokémon, including anime and videogame starters like Empoleon, Infernape, and Torterra, as well as Lucario, which is now known as a fighter in Super Smash Bros.
| Number | Name | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond & Pearl Base Set | 130 | May 23, 2007 |
| 2 | Mysterious Treasures | 124 | August 22, 2007 |
| 3 | Secret Wonders | 132 | November 7, 2007 |
| 4 | Great Encounters | 106 | February 13, 2008 |
| 5 | Majestic Dawn | 100 | May 21, 2008 |
| 6 | Legends Awakened | 146 | August 20, 2008 |
| 7 | Stormfront | 106 | November 5, 2008 |
| 8 | Platinum Base Set | 133 | February 11, 2009 |
| 9 | Rising Rivals | 120 | May 20, 2009 |
| 10 | Supreme Victors | 153 | August 19, 2009 |
| 11 | Arceus | 111 | November 4, 2009 |
| 12 | HeartGold & SoulSilver Base Set | 124 | February 10, 2010 |
| 13 | Unleashed | 96 | May 12, 2010 |
| 14 | Undaunted | 91 | August 18, 2010 |
| 15 | Triumphant | 103 | November 2, 2010 |
| 16 | Call of Legends | 106 | February 2011 |
This generation introduced numerous new evolutionary forms for Eevee, such as Leafeon and Glaceon, and Magmortar for Magmar. Keep reading further to know how many pokémon cards are there. (See How to get Pokemon Go on your iPhone?)
5. Fifth Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
Generation 5 introduced 156 new Pokémon, the most by any generation so far. Many of them are dual-types, such as Archeops, and some, such as Zoroark, have gone on to become TCG favorites and that is why they fall in the list of pokémon trading card game sets.
| Number | Names | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black & White Base Set | 115 | April 25, 2011 |
| 2 | Emerging Powers | 98 | August 31, 2011 |
| 3 | Noble Victories | 102 | November 16, 2011 |
| 4 | Next Destinies | 103 | February 8, 2012 |
| 5 | Dark Explorers | 111 | May 9, 2012 |
| 6 | Dragons Exalted | 128 | August 15, 2012 |
| 7 | Boundaries Crossed | 153 | November 7, 2012 |
| 8 | Plasma Storm | 138 | February 6, 2013 |
| 9 | Plasma Freeze | 122 | May 8, 2013 |
| 10 | Plasma Blast | 105 | August 14, 2013 |
| 11 | Legendary Treasures | 138 | November 8, 2013 |
6. Sixth Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
Following the previous generation’s bumper crop, generation 6 added only 72 new monsters, signaling a shift toward lower turnout in future generations.
| Number | Name | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | X & Y Base Set | 146 | February 5, 2014 |
| 2 | Flashfire | 109 | May 7, 2014 |
| 3 | Furious Fists | 133 | August 13, 2014 |
| 4 | Phantom Forces | 122 | November 5, 2014 |
| 5 | Primal Clash | 164 | February 4, 2015 |
| 6 | Roaring Skies | 110 | May 6, 2015 |
| 7 | Ancient Origins | 100 | August 12, 2015 |
| 8 | BREAKthrough | 164 | November 4, 2015 |
| 9 | BRAEKpoint | 123 | February 3, 2016 |
| 10 | Generations | 115 | February 22, 2016 |
| 11 | Fates Collide | 125 | May 2, 2016 |
| 12 | Steam Siege | 116 | August 3, 2016 |
| 13 | Evolutions | 113 | November 2, 2016 |
However, the vast majority of the new Pokémon are entirely new species rather than evolutions of previous creatures. Greninja, Aegislash, and Delphox are among the characters on its roster. (See What is Strong against Rock Type Pokemon?)
7. Seventh Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
How many pokémon cards are there in this generation? Taking forward the trend of smaller rosters, Generation 7 added 88 Pokemon, and many of them are yet to become big names. The most notable are the disguise-wearing Mimikyu and the bizarre Dhelmise, which is a ship’s anchor and wheel wrapped in seaweed.
| Number | Name | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun & Moon Base Set | 163 | February 3, 2017 |
| 2 | Guardian Rising | 169 | May 5, 2017 |
| 3 | Burning Shadows | 169 | August 4, 2017 |
| 4 | Shining Legends | 78 | October 6, 2017 |
| 5 | Crimson Invasion | 124 | November 3, 2017 |
| 6 | Ultra Prism | 173 | February 2, 2018 |
| 7 | Forbidden Light | 146 | May 4, 2018 |
| 8 | Celestial Strom | 183 | August 3, 2018 |
| 9 | Dragon Majesty | 78 | September 7, 2018 |
| 10 | Lost Thunder | 236 | November 2, 2018 |
| 11 | Team Up | 196 | February 1, 2019 |
| 12 | Detective Pikachu | 18 | March 29, 2019 |
| 13 | Unbroken Bonds | 234 | May 3, 2019 |
| 14 | Unified Minds | 258 | August 2, 2019 |
| 15 | Hidden Fates | 163 | August 23, 2019 |
| 16 | Cosmic Eclipse | 271 | November 1, 2019 |
8. Eighth Generation Sets of Pokemon Cards
Generation 8, the most recent in the Pokémon franchise, introduced 96 new pocket monsters, 89 in the Galar region with Pokémon Sword and Shield, and 7 from Pokémon Legends Arceus. The cute, monkey-like Grookey, the electric-poison-type Toxel, and the hilarious lump-creature Snom are all welcome additions.
| Number | Name | Number of Cards | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sword & Shield Base Set | 216 | February 7, 2020 |
| 2 | Rebel Clash | 209 | May 1, 2020 |
| 3 | Darkness Ablaze | 201 | August 14, 2020 |
| 4 | Champion’s Path | 80 | September 25, 2020 |
| 5 | Vivid Voltage | 203 | November 13, 2020 |
| 6 | Shining Fates | 195 | February 19, 2021 |
| 7 | Battle Styles | 183 | March 19, 2021 |
| 8 | Chilling Reign | 233 | June 18, 2021 |
| 9 | Evolving Skies | 237 | August 27, 2021 |
| 10 | Celebrations | 50 | October 8, 2021 |
| 12 | Fusion Strike | 284 | November 12, 2021 |
| 13 | Brilliant Stars | 216 | February 25, 2022 |
| 14 | Astral Radiance | 246 | May 27, 2022 |
| 15 | Pokemon Go | 88 | July 1, 2022 |
The answer to the question of how many pokémon cards are there varies with each new set, but it’s not uncommon for a generation to include anywhere from 70 to 150 of the adorable creatures. And, after eight generations, the total number of Pokémon is quite large. So, let’s get right to it. There are 905 Pokémon in total. That is the simplest and most strict answer to how many pokémon cards are there, counting only distinct Pokémon species. Among them, 63 are legendary. Check out another article- How many Total Pokémon are there to know more about this topic.
