Prerelease cards (TCG)

Prerelease cards

Cards in set 79 Release date Release period August 1999 - Present

Prerelease cards are reprints of one selected card from a Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion with a foil "PRERELEASE" stamp or the expansion's logo in the bottom right corner of the card illustration.

Information

Wizards of the Coast first produced Prerelease cards when the TCG was first localised, and were given to participants of the early test leagues of what would later become the Pokémon League. Prerelease cards were then only awarded through select sites of the Pokémon League for the next three expansions before Wizards ceased their production. After Pokémon USA acquired the TCG license and fully established the Play! Pokémon program, Prerelease events were set up to coincide with the release of the upcoming expansions. In the United States, Prerelease events are typically held over two weekends prior to the commercial release of expansions, and have continued to be an integral part of the TCG calendar.

Trivia

• Officially, there were only four Prerelease cards released by Wizards. However, whilst printing a test run of Jungle Clefable cards (a trial of the Prerelease cards for the Pokémon League), several Base Set Raichu cards were erroneously added to the sheet, and therefore also included a Prerelease stamp. The error was corrected and the Raichu cards were apparently given to Wizards employees. Despite this common knowledge within the TCG community, Wizards continued to deny their existence for years.
• Luxio from Diamond & Pearl was the first Prerelease card to have a "STAFF" stamped version, for the Prerelease event organizers. Cards released thereafter have continued to feature STAFF versions as well as a normal version.
• Buck's Training from Legends Awakened was the first non-Pokémon Prerelease card.
• With the release of HeartGold & SoulSilver, Prerelease cards no longer feature the "PRERELEASE" stamp, and instead feature the expansion logo. Also, ever since the release of HeartGold & SoulSilver, all of the cards have been Rare cards in the expansion.
• Starting from the Dark Explorers expansion until the end of the Black & White Series, all Prerelease cards were actual promotional cards and featured alternate art. Only for the XY expansion, the Prerelease promos returned to specially stamped cards in the expansion. They returned to be XY Black Star Promos for the second XY expansion, Flashfire.
• Starting from the Fates Collide expansion, there are four available Prerelease cards, released in Prerelease Kits.

Card lists

Wizards of the Coast Prerelease cards

No. Mark Card name Type Rarity Promotion 14/102 [[Image:RegMarkRaichu.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Raichu]] Lightning Erroneously produced in trial run Promotion 1/64 [[Image:RegMarkClefable.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Clefable]] Colorless Pokémon League (August 1999) Promotion 1/62 [[Image:RegMarkAerodactyl.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Aerodactyl]] Fighting Pokémon League (October 1999) Promotion 8/82 [[Image:RegMarkDark Gyarados.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Dark Gyarados]] Water Pokémon League (April 2000) Promotion 9/132 [[Image:RegMarkMisty's Seadra.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Misty's Seadra]] Water Pokémon League (July 2000) Promotion

The Pokémon Company International Prerelease cards

No. Mark Card name Type Rarity Promotion 1/100 [[Image:RegMarkArmaldo.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Armaldo]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_EX Sandstorm Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Sandstorm Prerelease]] Promotion 32/97 [[Image:RegMarkGyarados.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Gyarados]] Water [[Image:Rarity_EX Dragon Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Dragon Prerelease]] Promotion 24/95 [[Image:RegMarkTeam Aqua's Cacnea.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Team Aqua's Cacnea]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua Prerelease]] Promotion 50/101 [[Image:RegMarkSwalot.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Swalot]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_EX Hidden Legends Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Hidden Legends Prerelease]] Promotion 50/112 [[Image:RegMarkWartortle.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Wartortle]] Water [[Image:Rarity_EX FireRed & LeafGreen Prerelease.png|x20px|EX FireRed & LeafGreen Prerelease]] Promotion 37/109 [[Image:RegMarkDark Houndoom.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Dark Houndoom]] Fire [[Image:Rarity_EX Team Rocket Returns Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Team Rocket Returns Prerelease]] Promotion 38/107 [[Image:RegMarkManectric.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Manectric]] Lightning [[Image:Rarity_EX Deoxys Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Deoxys Prerelease]] Promotion 29/106 [[Image:RegMarkGrumpig.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Grumpig]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_EX Emerald Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Emerald Prerelease]] Promotion 35/115 [[Image:RegMarkBayleef.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Bayleef]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_EX Unseen Forces Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Unseen Forces Prerelease]] Promotion 49/113 [[Image:RegMarkMetang δ.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Metang δ]] Lightning [[Image:Rarity_EX Delta Species Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Delta Species Prerelease]] Promotion 45/92 [[Image:RegMarkTentacruel.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Tentacruel]] Water [[Image:Rarity_EX Legend Maker Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Legend Maker Prerelease]] Promotion 41/110 [[Image:RegMarkExeggutor δ.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Exeggutor δ]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_EX Holon Phantoms Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Holon Phantoms Prerelease]] Promotion 35/100 [[Image:RegMarkIvysaur.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Ivysaur]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_EX Crystal Guardians Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Crystal Guardians Prerelease]] Promotion 28/101 [[Image:RegMarkDragonair δ.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Dragonair δ]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_EX Dragon Frontiers Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Dragon Frontiers Prerelease]] Promotion 27/108 [[Image:RegMarkCacturne.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Cacturne]] Darkness [[Image:Rarity_EX Power Keepers Prerelease.png|x20px|EX Power Keepers Prerelease]] Promotion 52/130 [[Image:RegMarkLuxio.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Luxio]] Lightning [[Image:Rarity_Diamond & Pearl Prerelease.png|x20px|Diamond & Pearl Prerelease]] Promotion 48/123 [[Image:RegMarkGabite.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Gabite]] Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Mysterious Treasures Prerelease.png|x20px|Mysterious Treasures Prerelease]] Promotion 53/132 [[Image:RegMarkKirlia.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Kirlia]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Secret Wonders Prerelease.png|x20px|Secret Wonders Prerelease]] Promotion 49/106 [[Image:RegMarkPorygon2.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Porygon2]] Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Great Encounters Prerelease.png|x20px|Great Encounters Prerelease]] Promotion 42/100 [[Image:RegMarkMothim.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Mothim]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_Majestic Dawn Prerelease.png|x20px|Majestic Dawn Prerelease]] Promotion 130/146 [[Image:RegMarkBuck's Training.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Buck's Training]] Supporter [[Image:Rarity_Legends Awakened Prerelease.png|x20px|Legends Awakened Prerelease]] Promotion 46/100 [[Image:RegMarkPiloswine.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Piloswine]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Stormfront Prerelease.png|x20px|Stormfront Prerelease]] Promotion 53/127 [[Image:RegMarkLucario.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Lucario]] Metal [[Image:Rarity_Platinum Prerelease.png|x20px|Platinum Prerelease]] Promotion 52/111 [[Image:RegMarkTropius.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Tropius]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_Rising Rivals Prerelease.png|x20px|Rising Rivals Prerelease]] Promotion 70/147 [[Image:RegMarkMilotic.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Milotic]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Supreme Victors Prerelease.png|x20px|Supreme Victors Prerelease]] Promotion 27/99 [[Image:RegMarkRaichu.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Raichu]] Lightning [[Image:Rarity_Arceus Prerelease.png|x20px|Arceus Prerelease]] Promotion 28/123 [[Image:RegMarkPichu.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Pichu]] Lightning [[Image:Rarity_HeartGold & SoulSilver Prerelease.png|x20px|HeartGold & SoulSilver Prerelease]] Promotion 13/95 [[Image:RegMarkBlastoise.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Blastoise]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Unleashed Prerelease.png|x20px|Unleashed Prerelease]] Promotion 17/90 [[Image:RegMarkLeafeon.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Leafeon]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_Undaunted Prerelease.png|x20px|Undaunted Prerelease]] Promotion 20/102 [[Image:RegMarkElectivire.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Electivire]] Lightning [[Image:Rarity_Triumphant Prerelease.png|x20px|Triumphant Prerelease]] Promotion 33/106 [[Image:RegMarkSnorlax.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Snorlax]] Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Call of Legends Prerelease.png|x20px|Call of Legends Prerelease]] Promotion 25/114 [[Image:RegMarkDarmanitan.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Darmanitan]] Fire [[Image:Rarity_Black & White Prerelease.png|x20px|Black & White Prerelease]] Promotion 53/98 [[Image:RegMarkGigalith.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Gigalith]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Emerging Powers Prerelease.png|x20px|Emerging Powers Prerelease]] Promotion 43/101 [[Image:RegMarkVictini.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Victini]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Noble Victories Prerelease.png|x20px|Noble Victories Prerelease]] Promotion 12/99 [[Image:RegMarkArcanine.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Arcanine]] Fire [[Image:Rarity_Next Destinies Prerelease.png|x20px|Next Destinies Prerelease]] Promotion BW40 [[Image:RegMarkVolcarona.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Volcarona]] Fire [[Image:Rarity_Dark Explorers Prerelease.png|x20px|Dark Explorers Prerelease]] Promotion BW48 [[Image:RegMarkAltaria.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Altaria]] Dragon [[Image:Rarity_Dragons Exalted Prerelease.png|x20px|Dragons Exalted Prerelease]] Promotion BW53 [[Image:RegMarkFlygon.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Flygon]] Dragon [[Image:Rarity_Boundaries Crossed Prerelease.png|x20px|Boundaries Crossed Prerelease]] Promotion BW51 [[Image:RegMarkCrobat.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Crobat]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Plasma Storm Prerelease.png|x20px|Plasma Storm Prerelease]] Promotion BW75 [[Image:RegMarkMetagross.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Metagross]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Plasma Freeze Prerelease.png|x20px|Plasma Freeze Prerelease]] Promotion BW84 [[Image:RegMarkPorygon-Z.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Porygon-Z]] Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Plasma Blast Prerelease.png|x20px|Plasma Blast Prerelease]] Promotion BW96 [[Image:RegMarkTornadus-EX.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Tornadus-EX]] Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Legendary Treasures Prerelease.png|x20px|Legendary Treasures Prerelease]] Promotion 86/146 [[Image:RegMarkAegislash.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Aegislash]] Metal [[Image:Rarity_XY Prerelease.png|x20px|XY Prerelease]] Promotion XY10 [[Image:RegMarkDragalge.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Dragalge]] Dragon [[Image:Rarity_Flashfire Prerelease.png|x20px|Flashfire Prerelease]] Promotion XY13 [[Image:RegMarkMachamp.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Machamp]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Furious Fists Prerelease.png|x20px|Furious Fists Prerelease]] Promotion XY21 [[Image:RegMarkBronzong.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Bronzong]] Metal [[Image:Rarity_Phantom Forces Prerelease.png|x20px|Phantom Forces Prerelease]] Promotion XY39 [[Image:RegMarkKingdra.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Kingdra]] Dragon [[Image:Rarity_Primal Clash Prerelease.png|x20px|Primal Clash Prerelease]] Promotion XY46 [[Image:RegMarkAltaria.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Altaria]] Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Roaring Skies Prerelease.png|x20px|Roaring Skies Prerelease]] Promotion XY60 [[Image:RegMarkGyarados.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Gyarados]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Ancient Origins Prerelease.png|x20px|Ancient Origins Prerelease]] Promotion XY68 [[Image:RegMarkChesnaught.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Chesnaught]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_BREAKthrough Prerelease.png|x20px|BREAKthrough Prerelease]] Promotion XY94 [[Image:RegMarkTrevenant.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Trevenant]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_BREAKpoint Prerelease.png|x20px|BREAKpoint Prerelease]] Promotion XY127 [[Image:RegMarkMoltres.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Moltres]] Fire [[Image:Rarity_Fates Collide Prerelease.png|x20px|Fates Collide Prerelease]] Promotion XY128 [[Image:RegMarkWhite Kyurem.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|White Kyurem]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Fates Collide Prerelease.png|x20px|Fates Collide Prerelease]] Promotion XY129 [[Image:RegMarkZygarde.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Zygarde]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Fates Collide Prerelease.png|x20px|Fates Collide Prerelease]] Promotion XY130 [[Image:RegMarkTyranitar.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Tyranitar]] Darkness [[Image:Rarity_Fates Collide Prerelease.png|x20px|Fates Collide Prerelease]] Promotion XY144 [[Image:RegMarkYanmega.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Yanmega]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_Steam Siege Prerelease.png|x20px|Steam Siege Prerelease]] Promotion XY145 [[Image:RegMarkVolcanion.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Volcanion]] Fire [[Image:Rarity_Steam Siege Prerelease.png|x20px|Steam Siege Prerelease]] Promotion XY146 [[Image:RegMarkClawitzer.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Clawitzer]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Steam Siege Prerelease.png|x20px|Steam Siege Prerelease]] Promotion XY147 [[Image:RegMarkHoopa.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Hoopa]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Steam Siege Prerelease.png|x20px|Steam Siege Prerelease]] Promotion 11/108 [[Image:RegMarkCharizard.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Charizard]] Fire [[Image:Rarity_Evolutions Prerelease.png|x20px|Evolutions Prerelease]] Promotion 34/108 [[Image:RegMarkGyarados.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Gyarados]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Evolutions Prerelease.png|x20px|Evolutions Prerelease]] Promotion 51/108 [[Image:RegMarkMewtwo.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Mewtwo]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Evolutions Prerelease.png|x20px|Evolutions Prerelease]] Promotion 59/108 [[Image:RegMarkMachamp.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Machamp]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Evolutions Prerelease.png|x20px|Evolutions Prerelease]] Promotion SM10 [[Image:RegMarkShiinotic.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Shiinotic]] Grass [[Image:Rarity_Sun & Moon Prerelease.png|x20px|Sun & Moon Prerelease]] Promotion SM11 [[Image:RegMarkBruxish.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Bruxish]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Sun & Moon Prerelease.png|x20px|Sun & Moon Prerelease]] Promotion SM12 [[Image:RegMarkPassimian.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Passimian]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Sun & Moon Prerelease.png|x20px|Sun & Moon Prerelease]] Promotion SM13 [[Image:RegMarkOranguru.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Oranguru]] Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Sun & Moon Prerelease.png|x20px|Sun & Moon Prerelease]] Promotion SM18 [[Image:RegMarkAlolan Sandslash.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Alolan Sandslash]] Water [[Image:Rarity_Guardians Rising Prerelease.png|x20px|Guardians Rising Prerelease]] Promotion SM19 [[Image:RegMarkOricorio.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Oricorio]] Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Guardians Rising Prerelease.png|x20px|Guardians Rising Prerelease]] Promotion SM20 [[Image:RegMarkMudsdale.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Mudsdale]] Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Guardians Rising Prerelease.png|x20px|Guardians Rising Prerelease]] Promotion SM21 [[Image:RegMarkDrampa.png|x18px|link=Standard format (TCG)|Drampa]] Dragon [[Image:Rarity_Guardians Rising Prerelease.png|x20px|Guardians Rising Prerelease]] Promotion Seviper Psychic [[Image:Rarity_Burning Shadows Prerelease.png|x20px|Burning Shadows Prerelease]] Promotion SM47 Crabominable Fighting [[Image:Rarity_Burning Shadows Prerelease.png|x20px|Burning Shadows Prerelease]] Promotion SM48 Zygarde Dragon [[Image:Rarity_Burning Shadows Prerelease.png|x20px|Burning Shadows Prerelease]] Promotion Bewear Colorless [[Image:Rarity_Burning Shadows Prerelease.png|x20px|Burning Shadows Prerelease]] Promotion

This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions and releases Bold indicates a main expansion. Italics indicate a special set. Releases that are entirely composed of prints from other releases are small.
Miscellaneous releases Unreleased Wizards sets: Crosstrainer • Legendary Collection 2 • Jamboree Miscellaneous Promotional cards: Prerelease cards • W Promotional cards • Winner cards • Box Topper • Jumbo cards • Metal cards • Toys "R" Us Promotional cards • Yellow A Alternate cards