Pokémon Series 3 - Topps (USA)

Whilst UK collectors saw official releases for series one and two of Topps' Pokémon trading cards, they have yet to see any sign of series three. A spokesperson for Topps Europe told Card Zine that the set was only available in the USA and recommended obtaining the cards through a specialist dealer. This limited distribution is likely to come as a disappointment to UK collectors, particularly since series three completes the set of original Pokémon character profiles begun in series one and two.

Series three is made up of 72 regular-sized trading cards and is divided into four subsets. Cards 118-151 feature the individual Pokémon images and profiles. The Heroes and Villians sub-set started in series two continues in series three, with twelve cards depicting characters such as Pikachu, Brock and Professor Oak. The new twelve card Orange Islands sub-set features scenes from the gang's adventures on the islands. Rounding off the series are six puzzle cards, which fit together to make up Pokémon scenes on both sides.

72 foilboard parallel cards accompany the basic set, with one foil card being inserted into each pack. The other insert cards are ten pop-up cards (1:5 packs), five clear cards printed on acetate (1:9) and twelve die-cut embossed cards (1:12) showing various Pokémon evolving. The pop-up cards adopt the same format as those featured in several of SkyBox's Disney trading card sets and can be used to make stand-up models of Pokémon characters. The clear and die-cut embossed cards are of a similar design to those featured as inserts in series two.

Pokémon Series 3 trading cards are being sold in eight card packs, with 36 packs making up a display box. Card Zine found packs selling in a comic shop, priced £1.99.