Neo Genesis (TCG)

Neo Genesis (Japanese: ?) was the 8th expansion set for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It was the first expansion to feature Generation II Pokémon of Johto.

Set size: Neo Genesis contained 96 cards in its Japanese release, and 111 cards in the North American release. There was a 9 card promo set released in Japan before Neo 1 was released featuring the Johto Starter Pokémon and their evolutions. For the American release, Wizards of the Coast added the 9 promo cards and 6 Energy Cards to the set, increasing it to 111 cards.

Sequence: 8th in both North America and Japan.

Release date: December 16th, 2000 in the US, February 4th 1999 in Japan. Neo Genesis was first released in December for a "teaser" release, with limited distribution and no Theme Decks. Later, on January 15th, 2001, Neo Genesis was officially released in greater numbers, Theme Decks included.

Miscellaneous:

• Neo Genesis marked the first complete set to contain some of the new Johto Pokémon found in Pokémon Gold and Silver, although a handful of others had been released prior as promotional cards. Along with this release came two new card types; Darkness and Metal.
• Aside from the added Pokémon types, other new cards were added: Baby Pokémon and Poké Tools, which were Trainer Card items that could be permanently attatched to Pokémon in play - refering to Generation II's new feature that allowed trainers to equip their Pokémon with held items.
• Some collectors mistook the expansion's double star symbol as an indication of high rarity.