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Vintage Pocket Monsters

Toys and goodies from the late 90s, never trading cards.

Here I follow the toys, figures, plush toys and goodies of the late 90s, from the days when Pokémon were still called Pocket Monsters. Trading cards are deliberately left out: other tools already cover them very well.

In the guide below, I tell you about the early days of the franchise and help you date an item.

The guides

  • Pocket Monsters (1996 à 1999)

    Before conquering the world as Pokémon, the Pocket Monsters Red and Green games came out in Japan on 27 February 1996. Toys from those early years are the most touching, and the most sought after. No trading cards here: only toys.

Searching in Japan

Keywords to paste into the search bar on Buyee, Mercari, Yahoo! Auctions or PayPay Flea Market.
KeywordWhat it means
ポケットモンスターPocket Monsters, the original Japanese name
当時物vintage item

Where to find it in Japan

If you are travelling to Japan, these are the shops in the guide that stock it.

The full guide to shopping in Japan

Recent finds

  • Cover of a “Pocket Monsters PUNCH KICK” notebook with Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee on a yellow and blue background.

    Pocket Monsters · 1997

    Pocket Monsters, Banpresto “Punch Kick” notebook, never sold in shops (1997)

    In 1997 you could not buy this notebook: you won it from Banpresto prize machines in arcades. Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee face off on the cover, “Punch” against “Kick”. It has never been used, although the inside has faded a little over time. A simple souvenir of the first Pokémon wave, at a very small price.

    Toy line
    Pocket Monsters (1996 à 1999)
    Condition
    Never used, inside slightly faded, complete
    Listing price
    ¥3,000 · about €17
  • Small green Pokémon Kids box, still sealed, photographed by the seller.

    Pocket Monsters · 1997

    Pocket Monsters, Pokémon Kids Geodude figure, never opened (1997)

    Pokémon Kids are the small soft vinyl figures Bandai sold with a card in the sweets aisle. This one dates from 1997, the very first series, and its box has never been opened: inside is number 59, Geodude, and a surprise card. The first boxes are getting hard to find still sealed. A small price for an untouched piece of 1997.

    Toy line
    Pocket Monsters (1996 à 1999)
    Condition
    Never opened, complete
    Listing price
    ¥4,888 · about €27
  • Red “ポケモン図鑑” box showing a Pokédex and Pokémon, still in its film.

    Pocket Monsters · 1997

    Pocket Monsters, Bandai Pokédex from 1997, never opened

    Ash's Pokédex, as a toy! Bandai released it in 1997, and this one is still in its plastic film. Note that it is a toy sold with a sweet, like many Bandai products of the time: the candy inside is of course long expired, so do not eat it. The seller mentions two small holes in the film and a scratch on the back of the box. A lovely piece for a Pokémon display.

    Toy line
    Pocket Monsters (1996 à 1999)
    Condition
    Never opened, two small holes in the film, complete
    Listing price
    ¥15,000 · about €83
  • Twenty small Pokémon-shaped stamps, still in their capsules, photographed by the seller.

    Pocket Monsters · 1997

    Pokémon, 20 Banpresto figure stamps (1997)

    Twenty stamps, all different, each topped with a tiny figure. In 1997 you could not buy them: you won them in arcades, from Banpresto's prize machines. These have never been used and are still sleeping in their capsules. A complete set in this condition is a really lovely find. Before you fall for it, check in the photos that no ink has leaked inside the capsules.

    Toy line
    Pocket Monsters (1996 à 1999)
    Condition
    New, in their capsules, complete
    Listing price
    ¥11,111 · about €62