The 1999 Pokémon Base Set launched the entire TCG. It introduced the first 102 English cards, anchored by Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur, and set collecting norms we still use today. This guide covers the set’s history, how Shadowless differs from Unlimited, where to buy each version, and a complete card list.
Quick links to buy
- Unlimited Base Set: Base Set Complete Master Set (102/102) – 1999
- Damaged/played Base Set (budget): Base Set Complete Master Set (1999) [MP-DMG]
- Shadowless Base Set: Shadowless Base Set Complete Master Set (102/102)
Brief history
Base Set released in the U.S. in early 1999 and became the foundation of the Pokémon TCG. The earliest printings (after 1st Edition) are called Shadowless. Later printings with minor layout changes became the widely distributed Unlimited version. Both have the same 102 cards; differences are print-run details and cosmetics.
Shadowless vs. Unlimited — key differences
- Shadow: Shadowless cards have no drop shadow on the right side of the artwork frame; Unlimited has a gray shadow.
- HP/Font & color: Shadowless uses a thinner HP font and slightly different color tones compared to Unlimited.
- Print run: Shadowless is an early Unlimited print and is scarcer; Unlimited is the mass print and more common.
- Set symbol: Neither version has a set symbol; both are Base Set.
- Card list: Identical 102-card checklist for both versions.
Full 102-card checklist (Base Set)
- 1/102 Alakazam (Holo)
- 2/102 Blastoise (Holo)
- 3/102 Chansey (Holo)
- 4/102 Charizard (Holo)
- 5/102 Clefairy (Holo)
- 6/102 Gyarados (Holo)
- 7/102 Hitmonchan (Holo)
- 8/102 Machamp (Holo)
- 9/102 Magneton (Holo)
- 10/102 Mewtwo (Holo)
- 11/102 Nidoking (Holo)
- 12/102 Ninetales (Holo)
- 13/102 Poliwrath (Holo)
- 14/102 Raichu (Holo)
- 15/102 Venusaur (Holo)
- 16/102 Zapdos (Holo)
- 17/102 Beedrill
- 18/102 Dragonair
- 19/102 Dugtrio
- 20/102 Electabuzz
- 21/102 Electrode
- 22/102 Pidgeotto
- 23/102 Arcanine
- 24/102 Charmeleon
- 25/102 Dewgong
- 26/102 Dratini
- 27/102 Farfetch'd
- 28/102 Growlithe
- 29/102 Haunter
- 30/102 Ivysaur
- 31/102 Jynx
- 32/102 Kadabra
- 33/102 Kakuna
- 34/102 Machoke
- 35/102 Magikarp
- 36/102 Magmar
- 37/102 Nidorino
- 38/102 Poliwhirl
- 39/102 Porygon
- 40/102 Raticate
- 41/102 Seel
- 42/102 Wartortle
- 43/102 Abra
- 44/102 Bulbasaur
- 45/102 Caterpie
- 46/102 Charmander
- 47/102 Diglett
- 48/102 Doduo
- 49/102 Drowzee
- 50/102 Gastly
- 51/102 Koffing
- 52/102 Machop
- 53/102 Magnemite
- 54/102 Metapod
- 55/102 Nidoran
- 56/102 Onix
- 57/102 Pidgey
- 58/102 Pikachu
- 59/102 Poliwag
- 60/102 Ponyta
- 61/102 Rattata
- 62/102 Sandshrew
- 63/102 Squirtle
- 64/102 Starmie
- 65/102 Staryu
- 66/102 Tangela
- 67/102 Voltorb
- 68/102 Vulpix
- 69/102 Weedle
- 70/102 Clefairy Doll
- 71/102 Computer Search
- 72/102 Devolution Spray
- 73/102 Imposter Professor Oak
- 74/102 Item Finder
- 75/102 Lass
- 76/102 Pokemon Breeder
- 77/102 Pokemon Trader
- 78/102 Scoop Up
- 79/102 Super Energy Removal
- 80/102 Defender
- 81/102 Energy Retrieval
- 82/102 Full Heal
- 83/102 Maintenance
- 84/102 PlusPower
- 85/102 Pokemon Center
- 86/102 Pokemon Flute
- 87/102 Pokedex
- 88/102 Professor Oak
- 89/102 Revive
- 90/102 Super Potion
- 91/102 Bill
- 92/102 Energy Removal
- 93/102 Gust of Wind
- 94/102 Potion
- 95/102 Switch
- 96/102 Double Colorless Energy
- 97/102 Fighting Energy
- 98/102 Fire Energy
- 99/102 Grass Energy
- 100/102 Lightning Energy
- 101/102 Psychic Energy
- 102/102 Water Energy
Alternative to Base Set: complete Original 151
If your goal is to display all original 151 Pokémon in one purchase, consider our curated 151 builds:
- Original 151 Complete Master Set (choose 20+, 25+, or 45 holos)
- Original 151 [MP-DMG]
- Mixed Vintage 151 (1999–2003) | Modern 151
See current stock: TradingCardSets.com | Our eBay Store
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial advice. Market conditions can change and errors may occur.