Quick answer
Pokémon came out in the US in September 1998. The anime premiered on US TV on September 8, 1998, and Pokémon Red and Blue launched for Game Boy later that month. The trading card game followed in January 1999, and Pokémon: The First Movie hit theaters on November 10, 1999.
Key takeaways
- Japan first: Red and Green launched February 27, 1996.
- US games and TV: September 1998.
- US cards: January 9, 1999.
- US movie: November 10, 1999.
Pokémon in Japan (1996–1998)
| Date | Release |
|---|---|
| February 27, 1996 | Pocket Monsters Red and Green (Game Boy) |
| October 1996 | Pokémon Trading Card Game (Japan) and Pokémon Blue (Japan) |
| April 1, 1997 | Pokémon anime premieres on Japanese TV |
| September 1998 | Pokémon Yellow (Japan) |
Pokémon in the US: the 90s timeline
| Date | Release |
|---|---|
| September 8, 1998 | Pokémon anime premieres on US television |
| September 1998 | Pokémon Red and Blue launch for Game Boy |
| Late 1998 | Pokémon Pikachu virtual pet step-counter |
| January 9, 1999 | Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base Set) launches in English |
| June 1999 | Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64) and Pokémon Pinball (Game Boy Color) |
| June 1999 | Jungle card expansion |
| October 1999 | Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy) |
| October 1999 | Fossil card expansion |
| November 10, 1999 | Pokémon: The First Movie in theaters |
| November 1999 | Fast-food toy promotion with Poké Ball containers |
What came next (2000)
In 2000, the craze continued with Pokémon Stadium on Nintendo 64, the Base Set 2 and Team Rocket card sets, the Pokémon Trading Card Game video game, and Pokémon Gold and Silver in North America that October.
Why Pokémon exploded in 1999
Everything at once
TV, games and cards fed each other.
Trading
The games and cards were designed around trading with friends.
The catchphrase
"Gotta catch 'em all" turned collecting into a mission.
Pikachu
An instantly lovable mascot.
Fun fact: Pokémon cards became such a distraction that some US schools banned them in 1999, the same fate as pogs and virtual pets earlier in the decade. See 90s fads.
Keep exploring Pokémon
- Pokémon Red and Blue differences
- How to tell if Pokémon cards are 1st edition
- 90s video game consoles
- 90s cartoons
Pokémon then vs now
Then (90s)
151 Pokémon, two Game Boy games, a TV show and a trading card game that took over schools.
Now (2027)
More than a thousand Pokémon, games on every Nintendo system, mobile games and a card game bigger than ever.
Pokémon timeline at a glance
| Year | Japan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Red and Green; card game | — |
| 1997 | Anime premieres | — |
| 1998 | Yellow | Anime and Red/Blue |
| 1999 | Gold and Silver (November) | Cards, Yellow, first movie |
| 2000 | — | Gold and Silver, Stadium |
How to relive 1999 Pokémania
Watch the first season
Available on official platforms.
How Pokémon was introduced to America
Pokémon was already a huge hit in Japan before it arrived in the US, but its American launch was carefully planned. The animated series premiered in September 1998, giving kids a chance to meet Ash, Pikachu and the Pokémon world before the games arrived. The Game Boy games followed later that month, and the trading card game launched in January 1999. Each part of the franchise supported the others, creating a wave of excitement that built through 1999.
Localization changes
Bringing Pokémon to American audiences involved changes. Character names were adapted for English-speaking kids, some scenes in the cartoon were edited, and the opening theme was rewritten for US audiences. Food and cultural references were sometimes changed too. These adjustments helped Pokémon feel familiar to American kids while keeping its unique charm.
Pokémania in schools
By 1999, Pokémon was everywhere. Kids traded cards before class, battled with Game Boys at lunch and debated their favorite Pokémon at recess. The craze became so intense that some schools banned Pokémon cards, citing distractions and disputes over trades. Toy stores struggled to keep cards in stock, and new expansion sets sold out quickly.
The first movie and fast-food promotions
Pokémon: The First Movie opened in November 1999 and was accompanied by exclusive promotional cards for moviegoers. Around the same time, a fast-food chain ran a huge promotion with Pokémon toys in Poké Ball containers. Both events added to the frenzy at the end of the decade.
A lasting legacy
Pokémon is now one of the highest-grossing media franchises in history. For many adults, the original 151 Pokémon and the 1998 to 1999 launch remain the heart of the franchise, a shared memory that still sparks nostalgia.
Related reading: Relive the summer of 1999 with our guide to Pokémon Snap, and meet the cast in the original Pokémon anime.
Conclusion
Pokémon came to the US in September 1998 and dominated 1999 with cards, games and a movie. It remains one of the biggest franchises in the world, and the original 151 still hold a special place for 90s kids. See what was popular in 1999 for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
When did Pokémon come out in the US?
Pokémon arrived in the US in September 1998. The anime premiered on US television on September 8, 1998, and Pokémon Red and Blue launched for Game Boy later that month.
When did Pokémon come out in Japan?
Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan on February 27, 1996. The anime began airing in Japan in April 1997.
When did Pokémon cards come out in the US?
The English Pokémon Trading Card Game, published by Wizards of the Coast, launched in the US on January 9, 1999.
When did the first Pokémon movie come out in the US?
Pokémon: The First Movie opened in US theaters on November 10, 1999, and came with a promotional trading card.
How old is Pokémon?
Pokémon launched in Japan in 1996, so it turns 31 in 2027. In the US, it has been around since 1998.
When did Pokémon Gold and Silver come out in the US?
Pokémon Gold and Silver launched in North America in October 2000.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Pokémon (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Pokémon (TV series) (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Pokémon Trading Card Game (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Pokémon: The First Movie (opens in a new tab)
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.