When did Wizards stop printing Pokémon? An in-depth look at the history and legacy of WotC and the Pokémon TCG

As a long-time Pokémon fan and card collector, I‘ve done extensive research into the history between Wizards of the Coast (WotC) and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share insights into WotC‘s time publishing Pokémon, why it ended, and the lasting impacts on the hobby. Grab your old Charizard card and let‘s dive in!

WotC‘s Pokémon publishing history

Wizards of the Coast first acquired the rights to produce the English version of the Pokémon TCG back in August 1998. This came right as Pokémania was absolutely exploding in North America. It turned out to be an incredibly timely and profitable deal for WotC.

The Pokémon TCG connections started through the company‘s ties with Nintendo. According to WotC CEO Peter Adkison, Nintendo wasn‘t even sure about releasing Pokémon in the US initially. But once they saw how popular it was, they reached out to WotC to expand it further with a card game.

WotC‘s first English print run of Pokémon cards occurred in January 1999. The initial expectation was that they would sell about 40,000 copies of the Base Set. Instead, it sold a mind blowing 400,000 units in under six weeks! The fervor around Pokémon at this time is hard to overstate – kids and adults alike were going crazy over catching ‘em all!

Over the next 5 years, WotC would go on to print English versions of 19 main Pokémon TCG sets through the Neo era, ending with Skyridge in summer 2003. This included beloved sets like Team Rocket, Gym Heroes and Neo Genesis.

At the height of Pokémon‘s popularity in 1999, the Pokémon TCG accounted for a reported 95% of WotC‘s total revenue! So in many ways, Pokémon is what catapulted WotC into wider prominence beyond just their core Magic: The Gathering audience.

Why WotC and Pokémon parted ways in 2003

Given the immense success WotC found with Pokémon cards, why did they stop printing them in 2003? There are a few key factors that contributed to this business decision:

• Nintendo wanted more control. After Hasbro acquired WotC in 1999, Nintendo grew concerned about handing off so much control of their prized IP. Large acquisitions changed the dynamics. They weren‘t thrilled with some of Hasbro‘s handling of their brand.

• Formation of The Pokémon Company. In 2000, Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures came together to form The Pokémon Company to oversee all Pokémon businesses globally. This led to a shift towards bringing major parts like TCG printing in-house.

• Declining Pokémon popularity. By 2003 the initial Pokémon craze had significantly died down from its late 90s peak. Cards weren‘t flying off shelves anymore, making it a lower priority for Hasbro.

• Expired license agreement. The original WotC license agreement with Nintendo expired in 2003. Both parties agreed to not renew it, leading to the end of WotC‘s role.

So in summary, it was a combination of Nintendo wanting more direct control, the creation of The Pokémon Company, waning interest at the time, and a expiring contract. This led to the mutually agreed end of WotC‘s very lucrative Pokémon TCG run.

Why first edition runs were discontinued

Another notable change during WotC‘s Pokémon era was the discontinuation of first edition runs after the Neo Destiny expansion in 2002. First editions had been included in every major set going back to Base Set in 1999 to denote the very first print runs. Why did WotC move away from this practice?

A few factors contributed to phasing out first edition prints:

• Production pressures. WotC faced increasing pressure from Nintendo to stick to predetermined release dates. First edition runs made this logistically tougher.

• Complicated logistics. Managing both first edition and unlimited prints increased overall complexity and costs to print multiple variations of cards.

• Declining necessity. As Pokémon mania calmed down, first editions were seen as less critical for driving immediate interest and sales.

• Avoiding scarcity. WotC wanted to avoid certain cards becoming too rare and valuable if only released as first editions. More availability meant more affordable cards.

By late 2002, the costs and pressures outweighed the benefits of special first edition runs. So WotC opted to move forward with just unlimited prints.

Impact of the 1999 Base Set on the hobby

Outside of introducing Pokémon to the western world, WotC‘s most influential contribution was publishing the iconic 1999 English Base Set. This 102 card set included classics like Charizard, Blastoise and Pikachu. It cemented the beginnings of Pokémon as a collectible hobby that still thrives today.

Some key facts about the history and legacy of the 1999 Base Set:

• It was first published on January 9, 1999 in North America, kickstarting Pokémon TCG here.

• The set originated from the 1996 Japanese Base Set, translated and localized for English audiences.

• It consisted of 102 total cards – 16 holographic cards and 86 non-holographic cards.

• The first print run was denoted by the iconic first edition stamp, making these versions highly coveted today.

• It included the original holographic Charizard, the most famous and expensive Pokémon card ever printed!

• A PSA 10 graded Gem Mint Charizard recently sold for $350,000 at auction, showing its legendary collector value.

The 1999 Base Set marks the beginning of the global Pokémon TCG community we know today. It‘s the set that inspired millions of kids and adults to start collecting, trading and battling Pokémon. Over 20 years later, the set remains iconic and influences the hobby.

Modern Pokémon TCG printing since 2003

After WotC‘s pioneering work, The Pokémon Company took over all printing and distribution of the Pokémon TCG in 2003:

• Japanese sets are now printed by Toppan Printing and English cards by Millennium Print Group.

• English sets have been expanded to 10 cards per pack, up from 9 or less previously.

• Sets have grown enormously in size, with typical new releases containing well over 200 unique cards.

• The pace of new sets has accelerated, with now 9-12 main releases per year plus various special sets.

• Prominent rare cards like Charizard continue to be reprinted to meet ongoing demand. This helps make these cards more affordable and accessible to new fans.

The modern TCG lives in the long shadow cast by WotC‘s original sets. But the global business is thriving more than ever with a faster cadence of expansions. While the 1999 nostalgia remains strong, the TCG moves forward in exciting new directions.

Wrapping up WotC‘s legacy and influence

While Wizards of the Coast‘s direct involvement in the Pokémon TCG only spanned 5 years, their impact dramatically shaped the hobby into what it is today. Those wildly popular initial English print runs spearheaded by WotC ignited western interest in Pokémon. This catalyzed a generation of fans that continues to collect and play the TCG each year.

WotC‘s gamble on an emerging Japanese media franchise absolutely paid off in the short term. Their expertise in translating it for English audiences was brilliantly executed. No doubt WotC has some mixed feelings on letting Pokémon cards go back in 2003. But the soaring value of those vintage sets cements WotC‘s pivotal role in this beloved hobby.

So there you have it, the full history on when and why WotC stopped printing Pokémon cards after pioneering the TCG for millions of fans. Their legacy lives on in every Charizard collected and childhood memory made. WotC helped make Pokémon a worldwide craze that just won‘t stop catching them all!