It didn't matter if you were picking them up because you liked looking at the cute creatures or because you had serious (although foolhardy) aspirations of becoming a PTCG champion.
Just like Charlie Bucket, some of them found their golden ticket in special edition cards, 'shiny' cards, and novelty packs. These cards were a megahit among kids and young adults, who ripped each foil pack open like they were the characters from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory looking for the golden ticket. The Pokemon Trading Card Game was launched in Japan in 1996 and in the U.S. 1998 Tamamushi University Magikarp Promo Cardġ998 Holo Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy Cardġ999 Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind Promo Cardġ999 No.
