when was the first set of pokemon cards released Original 151 Complete (151/150) 1999 1st Edition (TCG) - Bulbapedia,

can also be given to Leaders and Characters

They were issued in 1998 as part of the CoroCoro Comic Illustration Contest

Authentic cards share the same back design used globally a Poke Ball centered on a blue swirl pattern but the print quality differs between genuine and counterfeit copies

The only downside

Bloomtown: A Different Story Bloomtown: A Different Story might look more like Stardew Valley than a Pokmon game at first glance, with its sepia-tone pixelated visuals and suburban setting, but under the hood, you can find some fantastic turn-based battles and creature-collecting mechanics

Unfortunately, it conflicts with the aforementioned decks