Fifth Edition was released in March of 1997, except Simplified Chinese. Containing 449 cards, it had been the largest set ever printed until the release of Mystery Booster more than 20 years later. Fifth Edition was also the first core set available in Simplified Chinese. That version contained 99 cards less and released as late as 1998. These shifted releases should endure until 2000. No Simplified Chinese starter decks are known.

English cards had a Belgium and a US print run with a bit smaller copyright line.

Two-player starter sets with front cut cards are known in English (two versions), French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Simplified Chinese.