Poké Ball (item): Difference between revisions

In the anime, the basic Poké Ball is the most commonly used of all varieties, with other varieties rarely being used at all, especially prior to the {{series|Sun & Moon}}. The vast majority of Pokémon are shown to be stored in regular Poké Balls, to the point that large collections of Poké Balls are usually almost exclusively standard Poké Balls. Even [[Ash's Pikachu]], the most prominent Pokémon in the anime which spends all of its time [[walking Pokémon|outside with Ash]], has a plain Poké Ball that differs from others only by the small yellow lightning bolt symbol on it, as seen in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''. This could be due to the {{pkmn|games}} not keeping a track of the Poké Ball that a Pokémon was {{pkmn2|caught}} in prior to [[Generation III]], making the anime not showing Pokémon in non-standard Poké Balls concordant with the games.

The '''Poké Ball''' was introduced as an {{TCG|Trainer card}} in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] during the English Original Series (the Japanese Original Era). First released in the {{TCG|Jungle}} expansion, it was reprinted in the Japanese {{TCG|Hanada City Gym}} and {{TCG|Kuchiba City Gym}} Theme Decks. It was later reprinted in the {{TCG|EX Ruby & Sapphire}} expansion, with new artwork by [[K. Hoshiba]] and an updated effect. This print was used until the release of {{TCG|EX Unseen Forces}}, which featured new artwork by [[Shin-ichi Yoshikawa]]. This print was used throughout the rest EX Series, and the first part of the Diamond & Pearl Series, up until the release of {{TCG|Majestic Dawn}} expansion. This print featured new artwork by [[Ryo Ueda]].

It was later reclassified in Japan as an {{TCG|Item card}} during the HeartGold & SoulSilver Series, though the English prints did not adopt this naming convention until the release of the {{TCG|Black & White}} expansion. The {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} print featured new artwork by [[Hideaki Hakozaki]], and the Japanese {{TCG|Battle Starter Decks}} featured yet another new illustration by [[Noriko Hotta]]. This card was released again in the {{TCG|Black & White}} expansion with new artwork by [[Yuri Umemura]]. This print was later released in the {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} expansion. This card was reprinted again during the XY Series in the English {{TCG|Kalos Starter Set}} with new artwork by [[5ban Graphics]]. This print was later reprinted in the English {{TCG|XY Trainer Kit}}, and in the {{TCG|Generations}} expansion.

Poké Ball was reprinted again during the Sun & Moon Series as part of the {{TCG|Sun & Moon}} expansion with new artwork by [[Ryo Ueda]]. As of this print, when the player plays it, they flip a coin. If the coin shows heads, they may search their deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into their hand, shuffling their deck afterwards. It also appeared in the Sword & Shield Series in the {{TCG|Rebel Clash}} expansion with new artwork by [[Studio Bora Inc.]].