Instead, they were dispensed on sheets from vending machines. What made the Vending Machine Series unique is that the cards weren’t sold in booster packs. Following Gym Heroes, Japanese players and collectors would enjoy a unique set that would come to be known informally as the Vending Machine Series. Meanwhile in Japan, the game was up and rolling and already on its fourth expansion set, Gym Heroes as it’d be named in English. In 1998, the Pokémon Trading Card Game was preparing to make its US debut. Deck: Dark Vileplume/Porygon/Murkrow (Base–Neo).

Deck: Dark Vileplume/Haunter (Base–Gym).

Deck: Lickitung Stall with Hungry Snorlax (Base–Rocket).

This wasn't a claim against its name, as it doesn't feature the word 'Monster', but rather the logo, with Monster Energy arguing that it's too similar to its own. However, this game is still operating under the title 'Monster Strike', not losing an integral part of its branding.Īside from that, Automaton Media claims that Monster Energy even went after the NBA team Toronto Raptors in the USA for their logo, a basketball with claws in the shape of an M digging into the side. It also reportedly went after a mobile title called Monster Strike, an RPG puzzle game from developer MIXI Inc and former Capcom designer Yoshiki Okamoto. However, Monster Energy's history of trying to claim the word 'Monster' over other games doesn't end there. It was created in 2002, whereas Pokemon Red, Green, and Blue launched in 1996. That means Monster Energy remains just that, as does Monster Hunter and Pokemon which is actually older than Monster Energy. The Japan Patent Office (JPO) ultimately ruled that 'there is no risk of causing confusion as to the origin of the product' and concluded that both parties would maintain their trademarks.

Pocket monsters japanese