00 / independent pokémon publication
The Complete Pokémon Archive
Original articles, market analysis, and the most comprehensive release calendars for the Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game franchise — every set, every era, both languages, 1996–2026.
All Gold Star Pokémon Cards: The Full List and the Most Expensive
The full checklist of all 27 English Gold Star cards from 2004–2007, with five years of prices for ungraded, PSA 9 and PSA 10 copies, PSA populations, and the Japanese versions.
Every Pitch Black Product & When It Releases
The full Pitch Black lineup — Booster Box, Elite Trainer Box, Booster Bundle, Check Lane Blisters and the prerelease Build & Battle Box — with exactly when each releases. Out 17 July 2026.
New LEGO Pokémon Sets: Rayquaza, Arcanine & the First Minifigures
Five new sets land in August and October 2026 — Rayquaza, Arcanine, Munchlax, a 2,368-piece Poké Ball, and Up-Scaled Red — with the first-ever LEGO Pokémon minifigures. Full US & UK prices inside.
The Pokémon TCG by the Numbers: 30 Years of Sets, Visualised
The release treadmill, set-size inflation and every era's biggest sets drawn card by card — three decades of English and Japanese TCG data in three interactive charts.
Every 30th Anniversary English Product & Its MSRP
The full English 30th Celebration lineup with official MSRP and release dates — from the $9.99 blisters to the $179.99 Ultra-Premium Collection, plus a cost-per-pack breakdown.
"MEGA x MEGA Parade" Trademark Filed for the Pokémon TCG
Pokémon has filed a trademark for MEGA x MEGA Parade under the categories used for TCG sets — the name reads like Japan's next annual High Class Pack.
Pokémon TCG Pocket: Everyday Wonders & Ruler of the Skies
Two new TCG Pocket expansions incoming — the cosy Everyday Wonders (29 June) and Ruler of the Skies (30 July), headlined by Mega Rayquaza ex.
2026 Worlds & PokémonXP Promo Cards Revealed at NAIC
Paradise Resort, the PokémonXP Rayquaza, the Worlds Pikachu and its Winner-stamped variant — every promo card unveiled at the NAIC closing ceremony.
The 10 Most Expensive Gengar Cards
The ten priciest Gengar cards on the market right now, ranked by ungraded price — from the Skyridge holo to Sabrina's Gym Heroes classic.
Top 10 Cards from Chaos Rising
Every notable pull from ME04 Chaos Rising, ranked by TCGPlayer market price. The Illustration Rares were broadly expected. The Greninja ex cards dominate.
Pokémon LEGO: The Impossible Choice Between Five Insane Cards
Five incredible LEGO builds are competing to become an official LEGO Ideas set. Here's your guide to the fan vote — and why it's so hard to pick just one.
My Chaos Rising Release Day Experience
Finished a night shift, ran to Smyths Toys, and managed to walk away with an ETB and five packs on Chaos Rising release day.
Pokémon Winds & Waves Main Theme: NHK Symphony Recording
The NHK Symphony Orchestra performs the main theme for the upcoming Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves — a scene-by-scene review of the Gen X orchestral overture.
First Partner Illustration Collections: Series 1, 2 & 3
Celebrating 30 years of Pokémon with Illustration Rare promos for every starter generation — here's every card, every region, and what to expect from all three waves.
IanwithIan: The Hidden Gem of Pokémon Content
While the big channels trade on spectacle and strobe lights, one creator is quietly making the most relatable collecting journey on YouTube — one Jolteon at a time.
Darkrai: Lore, Legends Z-A & Top TCG Cards
The complete guide to the Pitch-Black Pokémon — Sinnoh lore, Mega Evolution in Legends: Z-A, anime history, and the most expensive English TCG cards ranked by price.
Is Pat Flynn Losing His Edge? A Review of Deep Pocket Monster
Pat Flynn built Deep Pocket Monster on scrappy, high-stakes challenges and genuine personality. As a long-time viewer, here's what's changed — and what it would take to bring it back.
Mitsuhiro Arita: The Man Who Drew Pokémon
Nearly 30 years, 800+ cards, and one chubby Pikachu that changed everything. How a self-taught electrical engineering graduate became the visual architect of the world's most profitable franchise.
The Umbreon Tax: Most Expensive Cards, PSA 10 vs Raw (2026)
The 10 most valuable English Umbreon cards ranked by PSA 10 and raw price, with a grading multiplier breakdown. Data sourced from PriceCharting.
Pokémon Champions: Competitive Play Gets Its Own Home
The franchise's first standalone VGC platform is ambitious, aggressive, and deeply flawed. We break down the Omni Ring, new Megas, monetisation, bugs, and what it means for Worlds 2026.
Most Expensive Scarlet & Violet Cards in 2026
A complete breakdown of the most expensive Pokémon TCG cards from every Scarlet & Violet era set, ranked by NM/M value in GBP. From Umbreon ex to Mew ex, see which chase cards top the market.
Pokémon Platinum: The Definitive Sinnoh
Diamond and Pearl sold 17.67 million copies and were still widely criticised. Here's how Game Freak answered every complaint — expanded Pokédex, the Distortion World, the Battle Frontier, and 7.6 million sales later.
Pokémon Snap: A History of the Franchise
From the N64’s ZERO-ONE to the Switch’s NEO-ONE — the full history of the Pokémon Snap series, its scoring systems, hidden puzzles, 6.3 million copies sold, and the 22-year wait for a sequel.
Pokkén Tournament: A Look Back
Bandai Namco fused Tekken’s fighting game DNA with Pokémon’s universal appeal to create one of the Wii U’s most ambitious experiments. The Phase Shift system, the full roster, EVO 2016, and where it all ended up.
Every Pokémon Starter, Ranked — All 9 Generations
From Bulbasaur to Quaquaval, 27 starter trios have asked the same question since 1996: fire, water, or grass? We run through every generation's starters, then let you settle the debate with our interactive tier list.
Pokémon TCG English Releases: March 20, 2026
Three products land this week — the Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collections (Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex), the First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection, and the debut of the First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1.
Pokémon 151 Price Guide: The Nostalgia Supercycle Is Here
Charizard ex SIR is up 33%, Blastoise has nearly doubled, and Zapdos is the smart money pick. A sourced breakdown of every major English chase card as of March 2026.
Bandai Revives 90s Classic with New Plakoro Pokémon Dice Battle Game
Bandai Spirits has announced PLAKORO, reviving the 1997 dice battle concept with Charakoro and Enekoro, plus new Energy Chip customization.
Pokémon Pokopia Review Roundup
Pokémon Pokopia launches March 5 on Nintendo Switch 2 to the joint-highest Metacritic score ever recorded for a Pokémon game. Every critic score and what the press is saying.
Poncho Pikachu: The Complete Collector's Guide
Every card in Japan's most coveted promo series — from the 2014 Mega Tokyo opening to the 2018 Rainbow Rocket campaign. Card numbers, release dates, market values, and a full reference table.
Pokémon Presents Feb 2026: Every Announcement & Release Date
Full breakdown of every announcement from the Pokémon Day 2026 broadcast — Gen 10 revealed, FireRed & LeafGreen on Switch, Pokémon Champions date, TCG 30th anniversary expansion, and all mobile updates.
Pokémon Winds & Waves: Generation 10 Announced for Switch 2
Game Freak has revealed the next mainline Pokémon games at Pokémon Day 2026. A Southeast Asia-inspired archipelago, three new starters, underwater gameplay, and a 2027 release window on Nintendo Switch 2.
Pokémon FireRed vs LeafGreen: Which Version Should You Play?
FireRed and LeafGreen are back on Nintendo Switch for Pok00e9mon's 30th anniversary. Here's how the two versions differ 2014 exclusive Pok00e9mon, encounter rates, Deoxys formes, and which one to pick.
Pokémon Pokopia: Everything We Know
No gyms, no leagues, no battles. Pokémon's first life sim launches March 5 on Switch 2. Play as a Ditto pretending to be human, rebuild a forgotten world, and befriend Pokémon in a place where humans have vanished.
Over 1,100 Custom Logos for Every Pokémon: The 30th Anniversary Masterpiece
The Pokémon Company has created 1,113 unique anniversary logos — one for every species, regional variant, and form. Here's what they look like and how to claim yours for free.
The Monopolisation of Card Grading: How Private Equity Reshaped the Collectibles Market
From PSA's 72% market share to Blackstone's sovereign wealth play — how two corporate giants captured the entire card grading industry and what it means for collectors.
My Experience with the Ascended Heroes ETB Release
Early mornings, forgotten hot water bottles, and the thrill of launch day queuing at Smyths for the biggest Pokémon TCG set of the year.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Are Coming to Nintendo Switch
The GBA remakes return as standalone eShop releases on Pokémon Day 2026, with a Japan-exclusive Special Edition featuring glass Poké Balls.
Shinji Kanda: The Artist Redefining What a Pokémon Card Can Be
How a Kyoto-based surrealist went from drawing common Sawk cards to commanding the highest price premiums in the modern Pokémon TCG.
The History of Full Art Cards
How a pair of legendary dragons in 2010 launched the most collectible card type in the Pokémon TCG — from Reshiram and Zekrom to full art Trainers and secret rares.
Upcoming Pokémon TCG Releases
Everything we know about the next English and Japanese sets — from Chaos Rising and Perfect Order to Ninja Spinner, Abyss Eye, and Storm Emeralda.
A Look Back: Pocket Monsters Red and Green
Exploring the very first Pokémon products ever released — the Game Boy titles that launched a franchise worth billions, thirty years ago today.
Where to Buy Pokémon Cards in the UK
A comprehensive guide to the best places to buy Pokémon TCG products in the UK — from high street stores to online retailers.
From Base Set to Perfect Order: The History of the English Release Schedule
How a Japanese card game became a precisely calibrated global release machine — tracing 27 years of scheduling evolution from the Wild West of WotC to the synchronised Scarlet & Violet era.
Pokémon TCG Reprints Are Reshaping the Market
Why availability now matters more than ever. With aggressive reprints becoming the norm, traditional rules of scarcity and value are being challenged — great art and popular Pokémon no longer guarantee high prices.
Perfect Order: What the UK Pre-Order Window Tells Us
The Perfect Order pre-order lasted over 5 hours on Pokémon Center UK — a stark contrast to instant sell-outs. What does this extended availability tell us about the current TCG market?
Unova Heavy Hitters Premium Collection Arrives in UK
After the US exclusive drop in December, the massive Unova Heavy Hitters Premium Collection launches in UK Costco stores on January 28. With 12 booster packs and 4 promo cards at £40, this is one of the best value products of 2026.
Pokémon TCG Rarities: Complete Guide
Understanding card rarities from Common to Secret Rare, including pull rates, symbols, and what to expect when opening booster packs. A comprehensive guide for collectors and players.
05 / about
About Bill’s Archive
Bill’s Archive is a comprehensive reference for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, covering every English and Japanese set released since the game launched in 1996. The site features an interactive release calendar tracking over 250 sets across every era of the TCG — from the original Base Set and Jungle through the current Scarlet & Violet series and into the new Mega Evolution era that began with Ascended Heroes in late 2025. Each set page includes detailed product breakdowns, rarity distributions, notable chase cards, and collecting strategy advice.
The TCG calendar supports both English and Japanese releases, allowing collectors to track upcoming sets in either market and compare how cards are distributed differently between regions. Japanese sets like Ninja Spinner, Super Electric Breaker, and Terastal Fest ex are covered alongside their English counterparts, with notes on which Japanese source sets feed into each English release. For collectors who import or follow the Japanese market, this cross-referencing is essential for anticipating which cards will appear in future English sets.
Beyond release data, Bill’s Archive publishes original articles covering market analysis, collecting guides, and product reviews. Recent coverage has explored how The Pokémon Company’s aggressive reprint strategy is reshaping secondary market values, what the extended UK pre-order window for Perfect Order reveals about current demand levels, and how the English release schedule has evolved over nearly three decades from irregular gaps to a precisely timed global rollout. The site also maintains an in-depth guide to the modern rarity system — explaining the critical differences between Double Rares, Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, Mega Attack Rares, and Hyper Rares — which has become significantly more complex since the Scarlet & Violet era introduced colour-coded star symbols.
The site also covers the broader Pokémon franchise through a video game release timeline spanning all nine generations, from Red & Green in 1996 through to the latest titles in the Scarlet & Violet generation, and a dedicated Anime Tracker covering all 1,383 episodes across nine series — with episode-by-episode reviews starting from S01E01. This timeline provides historical context for the TCG, since many set themes, featured Pokémon, and mechanic introductions are closely tied to the corresponding video game releases.
Whether you are a returning collector trying to understand what has changed since the Sword & Shield era, a competitive player tracking upcoming releases for deck-building, or someone opening their first booster pack and wondering what the star symbols on their cards mean, Bill’s Archive provides the detailed, accurate, and regularly updated information you need to navigate the Pokémon TCG with confidence.