Pokémon Tazos

Pokémon Tazos are small collectible round discs that were found in bags of chips made by Frito-Lay and its subsidiaries around the world, in the 1990s and 2000s. While Tazos do not exclusively feature Pokémon, they did adopt the phrase "Gotta Catch 'em All!" as part of their slogan. Pokémon Tazos feature not only Pokémon species, but human characters from the anime as well. Some Tazos, rarer than the others, had holograms.

A collection of Pokémon Tazos

Traditionally, Tazos are played in a manner similar to Pogs. Players form equal stacks of face-down Tazos and try to "win" Tazos from the other player by throwing a Tazo at the stack and keeping any Tazos that land face-up after being knocked over.

Pokémon Tazos are also assigned types with strengths and weaknesses printed on the back. Human characters are considered strong against all types.

Pokémon Tazos were available in many countries worldwide, including Australia, several Latin American countries, Brazil, France, the Netherlands, a few countries in the Middle East, including Turkey and Israel, and in certain Asian countries, including South Korea and Indonesia.

Indonesia

 
Pokémon Tazos Indonesia version

The quite popular collectible Pokémon Tazos were available in Indonesia after the popularity of the anime series in SCTV and early Indosiar. These collectible toys can be found in three different snacks, Chiki, Cheetos, and JetZ. They were produced by Indofood Fritolay Makmur, an Indonesian snack food company—joint venture company with PepsiCo. Most Pokémon had English names in these merchandise, except for Sandshrew, Gloom, Dugtrio, Meowth, Growlithe, Arcanine, and Electrode, which are misnamed as Sandsru, Glumbu, Dagtrio, Miawth, Gardie, Windie, and Electroda, respectively. Moreover, there are two versions (with the different background) of the same Pokémon; Pikachu, Raichu, Vulpix, and Poliwhirl, with the latter contains the different name #062 Poliwrath instead. However, unlike the American releases, the types on the back were completely removed.

The first releases came with two different Tazos, namely Tazos Spin and Tazos Smash. Tazos Spin has several small incisions around the tip, which can be used to assemble and connect in many ways, and Tazos Smash are flower-shaped Tazos with several crackable gaps. 151 Pokémon species were featured in addition to five human characters who were included: Ash, Brock, Misty, Joy, and Jenny.

The holographic Tazos called Tazos 3D were also available, which feature all 56 different Pokémon with evolutionary stages from Generation I. The Generation I Pokémon Tazos with the identity name and address fills were also available for limited times. After the Johto saga was broadcasted on Indosiar, there were final releases called Pentazo, pentagonal Tazos that identical with Tazos Spin. These Tazos introduced the newly Generation II Pokémon; however, they are not exceed over 202 (#202 Wobbuffet, with exception of #201 Unown). Most Pokémon had English names in these merchandise, except for Bayleef, Feraligatr, and Wobbuffet, which are misnamed as Baylif, Feraligatar, and Bagitu, respectively. After several months since release, some Pentazos can be found outside the snack bags.

List of Pokémon in Tazos Spin

#002   Ivysaur
#013   Weedle
#018   Pidgeot
#019   Rattata
#021   Spearow
#022   Fearow
#023   Ekans
#024   Arbok
#025   Pikachu (×2)
#026   Raichu (×2)
#037   Vulpix (×2)
#041   Zubat
#042   Golbat
#043   Oddish
#044   Gloom
#046   Paras
#048   Venonat
#050   Diglett
#051   Dugtrio
#052   Meowth
#053   Persian
#054   Psyduck
#055   Golduck
#056   Mankey
#060   Poliwag
#061   Poliwhirl (×2)
#063   Abra
#064   Kadabra
#066   Machop
#067   Machoke
#068   Machamp
#074   Geodude
#076   Golem
#077   Ponyta
#080   Slowbro
#084   Doduo
#085   Dodrio
#086   Seel
#088   Grimer
#092   Gastly
#094   Gengar
#095   Onix
#096   Drowzee
#097   Hypno
#098   Krabby
#099   Kingler
#100   Voltorb
#104   Cubone
#105   Marowak
#109   Koffing
#110   Weezing
#111   Rhyhorn
#112   Rhydon
#113   Chansey
#114   Tangela
#116   Horsea
#117   Seadra
#118   Goldeen
#119   Seaking
#121   Starmie
#123   Scyther
#124   Jynx
#126   Magmar
#127   Pinsir
#128   Tauros
#131   Lapras
#132   Ditto
#133   Eevee
#135   Jolteon
#136   Flareon
#137   Porygon
#138   Omanyte
#139   Omastar
#140   Kabuto
#143   Snorlax
#145   Zapdos
#146   Moltres
#147   Dratini
#150   Mewtwo
#151   Mew
#1001 Ash
#1002 Brock
#1003 Misty
Unavailable
#011   Metapod
#014   Kakuna
#016   Pidgey
#087   Dewgong
#089   Muk
#093   Haunter
#120   Staryu

List of Pokémon in Tazos Smash

#026   Raichu
#054   Psyduck
#066   Machop
#067   Machoke
#077   Ponyta
#092   Gastly
#095   Onix
#113   Chansey
#114   Tangela
#123   Scyther
#124   Jynx
#126   Magmar
#127   Pinsir
#128   Tauros
#131   Lapras
#132   Ditto
#133   Eevee
#135   Jolteon
#136   Flareon
#137   Porygon
#139   Omastar
#140   Kabuto
#143   Snorlax
#145   Zapdos
#146   Moltres
#150   Mewtwo
#151   Mew
#1001 Ash
#1002 Brock
#1003 Misty

List of Pokémon in Tazos 3D

#001   Bulbasaur ↔ #002   Ivysaur ↔ #003   Venusaur
#004   Charmander ↔ #005   Charmeleon ↔ #006   Charizard
#007   Squirtle ↔ #008   Wartortle ↔ #009   Blastoise
#010   Caterpie ↔ #011   Metapod ↔ #012   Butterfree
#013   Weedle ↔ #014   Kakuna ↔ #015   Beedrill
#016   Pidgey ↔ #017   Pidgeotto ↔ #018   Pidgeot
#019   Rattata ↔ #020   Raticate
#021   Spearow ↔ #022   Fearow
#023   Ekans ↔ #024   Arbok
#025   Pikachu ↔ #026   Raichu
#027   Sandshrew ↔ #028   Sandslash
#029   Nidoran♀ ↔ #030   Nidorina ↔ #031   Nidoqueen
#032   Nidoran♂ ↔ #033   Nidorino ↔ #034   Nidoking
#035   Clefairy ↔ #036   Clefable
#037   Vulpix ↔ #038   Ninetales
#039   Jigglypuff ↔ #040   Wigglytuff
#041   Zubat ↔ #042   Golbat
#043   Oddish ↔ #044   Gloom ↔ #045   Vileplume
#046   Paras ↔ #047   Parasect
#048   Venonat ↔ #049   Venomoth
#050   Diglett ↔ #051   Dugtrio
#052   Meowth ↔ #053   Persian
#054   Psyduck ↔ #055   Golduck
#056   Mankey ↔ #057   Primeape
#058   Growlithe ↔ #059   Arcanine
#060   Poliwag ↔ #061   Poliwhirl ↔ #062   Poliwrath
#063   Abra ↔ #064   Kadabra ↔ #065   Alakazam
#066   Machop ↔ #067   Machoke ↔ #068   Machamp
#069   Bellsprout ↔ #070   Weepinbell ↔ #071   Victreebel
#072   Tentacool ↔ #073   Tentacruel
#074   Geodude ↔ #075   Graveler ↔ #076   Golem
#077   Ponyta ↔ #078   Rapidash
#079   Slowpoke ↔ #080   Slowbro
#081   Magnemite ↔ #082   Magneton
#084   Doduo ↔ #085   Dodrio
#086   Seel ↔ #087   Dewgong
#088   Grimer ↔ #089   Muk
#090   Shellder ↔ #091   Cloyster
#092   Gastly ↔ #093   Haunter ↔ #094   Gengar
#096   Drowzee ↔ #097   Hypno
#098   Krabby ↔ #099   Kingler
#100   Voltorb ↔ #101   Electrode
#102   Exeggcute ↔ #103   Exeggutor
#104   Cubone ↔ #105   Marowak
#109   Koffing ↔ #110   Weezing
#111   Rhyhorn ↔ #112   Rhydon
#116   Horsea ↔ #117   Seadra
#118   Goldeen ↔ #119   Seaking
#120   Staryu ↔ #121   Starmie
#129   Magikarp ↔ #130   Gyarados
#133   Eevee ↔ #134   Vaporeon
#133   Eevee ↔ #135   Jolteon
#133   Eevee ↔ #136   Flareon
#138   Omanyte ↔ #139   Omastar
#140   Kabuto ↔ #141   Kabutops
#147   Dratini ↔ #148   Dragonair ↔ #149   Dragonite

List of Pokémon in Tazos ID Card

#018   Pidgeot
#024   Arbok
#025   Pikachu
#026   Raichu
#037   Vulpix
#046   Paras
#048   Venonat
#050   Diglett
#052   Meowth
#054   Psyduck
#080   Slowbro
#085   Dodrio
#094   Gengar
#098   Krabby
#100   Voltorb
#109   Koffing
#110   Weezing
#112   Rhydon
#116   Horsea
#119   Seaking
#133   Eevee
#135   Jolteon
#140   Kabuto
#143   Snorlax

List of Pokémon in Pentazo

#153   Bayleef
#156   Quilava
#161   Sentret
#162   Furret
#164   Noctowl
#165   Ledyba
#166   Ledian
#168   Ariados
#169   Crobat
#171   Lanturn
#172   Pichu
#173   Cleffa
#175   Togepi
#176   Togetic
#177   Natu
#178   Xatu
#179   Mareep
#180   Flaaffy
#183   Marill
#187   Hoppip
#190   Aipom
#191   Sunkern
#193   Yanma
#194   Wooper
#196   Espeon
#197   Umbreon
#198   Murkrow

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands the discs were called Pokémon Flippos and given away from March 2001.[1][2] There was a daily Pokémon Flippo Update on Fox Kids Netherlands from 2001 to 2002. It was at that time a craze with children.

The complete set consists of 70 Flippos with effect and 4 Slammer Flippos. First came a folder in which there was room for 25 Flippos. Those Flippos have all affect and therefore all 2 or 3 images. Then came an addition for the next series Flippos, the Evolutions. These also feature two or three different Pokémon. Finally, there was another addition for the Powerplay Flippo of 46 until 70, of which number 66 until 70 were Trainer Flippos. Then came the Slammer Flippos A until D. These Flippos are up to 2 mm thick and have no effect.

Each series also contained a map with an overview of the new Flippos where you could tick off which Flippos you had.

At Celebi Tour at Kidsworld which was located at Jaarbeurs in Utrecht from October 27 to 29 2001, visitors could complete their collection.

Overview of Pokémon Flippos

Pokémon Surprise Flippos

In 2001 Pokémon Surprise Flippos were issued by Smiths. This series consisted of both Flippos and stickers. On each flippo a sticker was pasted. The packaging of the number 1 to 40 was transparent, but because there was a sticker on the Flippo you could still not see what number Flippo you had until you pulled the sticker off.

There was also a Flippo Collector for sale. This consisted of 10 parts which could be folded like a book or could be put up as a colorful display. When the sticker is removed from the Flippo, the Flippo becomes transparent. There was also a piece of cardboard with the Flippo Collector included to stick on stickers (doubles) and a large poster to collect all the stickers. There were 45 Flippos to collect: 1 to 15, included in larger one person bags sold at gas stations, sports canteens and supermarkets. 16 to 40, were included in family bags. 41 to 45, were included in 'dispenser bags'. Stickers 41 to 45 have a glow-in-the-dark edge. These Flippos had a white paper packaging.

Overview of Pokémon Surprise Flippos

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, a total of two sets of Pokémon Tazos were distributed in special promotional packets of Walkers snacks between 2000 and 2001.

Cheetos Pokémon Tazos

The first UK set contained 25 standard Tazos and was distributed exclusively in promotional packets of Cheetos in 2000. This release featured an image of Chester Cheetah flipping a Tazo on the rear and the type the Pokémon on the front was strong against.

List of Cheetos Pokémon Tazos

Tazo Number Featured Character Front Rear
1 Bulbasaur
2 Charmander
3 Squirtle
4 Pikachu
5 Nidoran♀
6 Nidoran♂
7 Jigglypuff
8 Diglett
9 Meowth
10 Psyduck
11 Machop
12 Ponyta
13 Drowzee
14 Staryu
15 Eevee
16 Dratini
17 Ash
18 Ivysaur
19 Blastoise
20 Butterfree
21 Clefairy
22 Poliwhirl
23 Gengar
24 Exeggcute
25 Snorlax

"Moving" Pokémon Tazos

The second set of Pokémon Tazos released in the United Kingdom consisted of 25 "moving" lenticular Tazos showcasing characters to tie in with the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver in 2001. A total of 60 million Tazos were produced and distributed in promotional packets of Quavers, Monster Munch, French Fries, Funyuns and Cheetos[3]. The rear of the Tazos featured Pokédex information from the character on the front, including Number, Type, Height and Weight. Following the popularity of this campaign, a second phase of Tazos was released to expand the set, with 10 numbered Tazos (26-35) and 3 ultra-rare "Special Edition" Tazos.

Selected retailers and wholesalers also sold Pokémon Tazo Holders in three different colors during this promotion for 39 pence each. They were available in Gold, Silver and Glow in the Dark and each contained one free Tazo.

List of Pokémon "Moving" Tazos

Tazo Number Featured Character Front Rear
1 Ash  
2 Raichu  
3 Elekid  
4 Chikorita  
5 Bellossom  
6 Sunflora  
7 Cyndaquil  
8 Totodile  
9 Marill  
10 Wooper  
11 Slowking  
12 Sentret  
13 Noctowl  
14 Togepi  
15 Snubbull  
16 Quagsire  
17 Blissey  
18 Ledyba  
19 Heracross  
20 Hoppip  
21 Sudowoodo  
22 Wobbuffet  
23 Lugia  
24 Gligar  
25 Donphan  
26 Meganium  
27 Typhlosion  
28 Feraligatr  
29 Pichu  
30 Ampharos  
31 Jumpluff  
32 Cleffa  
33 Igglybuff  
34 Hitmontop  
35 Ho-Oh  
SE Spinarak [[File:SE--167-Spinarak-Pokemon Moving Tazo.png|125px}}
SE Girafarig [[File:SE--203-Girafarig-Pokemon Moving Tazo.png|125px}}
SE Ursaring [[File:SE--217-Ursaring-Pokemon Moving Tazo.png|125px}}

Gallery

Trivia

  • Following the popularity of the Pokémon collectible Pokémon Tazos in almost two decade ago in Indonesia, Pokémon Coins are available in 2 packs and could be found in the Chiki Balls snack bag starting from August 2021. The brand name was changed by Indofood company as it no longer has an affiliation with Frito-Lay.

References


  This article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.