The hottest Pokémon collectibles produced for the American market are here in gorgeous color, along with brief histories of Pokémon's development and the rise of trading card games in the 1990s, and values for each item. Meet an electric mouse and 149 of its closest friends in the volume that introduces you to the world of Pokémon collecting. Hundreds of beautiful color photographs display the hottest Pokémon collectibles produced for the American market today. Topping the list are the cards and characters from the immensely popular Trading Card Game, followed by comics, figures, toys, and electronic games sure to excite every collector. Also included in the text are brief histories of Pokémon's development in Japan and successful export to America in 1998, and of the rise of trading card games in the 1990s. As a bonus, this book explains Pokémon basics to anyone who can't figure out what all the excitement is about. Values are given for the items displayed and listed in the text.