1996 Pokemon Japanese Delta Playtest Mounted On Card Blastoise CGC AUTH

Created just months after 1995 Prototype issues, before the 1996 Media Factory Japanese Base Set became the first Pokémon TCG set ever manufactured, Playtest cards are the second iteration of Pokémon cards. As such, they have become coveted by Pokémon collectors and historians looking to add early TCG artifacts to their collections. Creators only used a handful of Pokémon as Delta Playtest subjects, choosing those expected to become especially popular amongst fans. The Delta Playtests of nine of those characters – the three evolutions of starter Pokémon Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – are available individually for the first time in the Fanatics Collect September Premier Auction. Playtest cards were the first to include the evolution box in the top left corner of the card and give illustrator credit on the bottom. They were also the first Pokémon cards printed in color. But not all Playtest cards are the same. Delta Playtest cards such as this Blastoise came after Alpha and Beta Playtest versions. Delta Playtests closely resemble the ‘96 Media Factory Base Set design that fans and collectors would fall in love with thanks to updated artwork, including the addition of background color absent from the Alpha and Beta Playtest versions. Doing away with the pixelated sprite depictions used on the Prototypes, Playtest cards showcase artwork by legendary Pokémon illustrators. While earlier Playtest versions of this card displayed a different Ken Sugimori depiction of Blastoise, this Delta Playtest example features the now-iconic version that would go on to be used in the ‘96 Media Factory set and the game-changing 1999 English Base Set. This is one of, if not the first cards to feature this illustration. Playtest cards were made on paper and then affixed to firmer cardstock. As such, graded and authenticated versions of these cards will often include the word “Mounted” on the label. Learn more about some of the most important Pokémon cards ever made in our guide What are Pokémon Prototype, Playtest, and Presentation Cards?: https://www.fanaticscollect.com/definitive-guides/what-are-pokemon-prototype-playtest-and-presentation-cards The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 09/09/2024.

This item was flash inserted on Sep 6, 2024.