These two-piece plastic Pokemon prizes first appeared in the large 8 oz. specially marked bags of Cracker Jack in March 2001. The base of each prize is either bright green or orange with a yellow gear bearing the sticker of a Pokemon. The same Pokemon character can be found both with a green and an orange base; i.e, certain Pokemon don't just have green bases and others just orange - the bases can be either color. A small Poke Ball is also shown on each one. The bases of the prizes fit together like jig saw puzzle pieces, and the gears on the yellow dials interlock so that if one is turned, they all turn.
The species featured in this prize series are selections from among the 100 new characters released into the Pokemon world in late 2000. The species pictured above are, clockwise from the top left, Cyndaquil, Hoppip, Sunflora, and Ho-oh. At least 25 different gears have been found. But since there are 27 different species on a previous series of Cracker Jack Flix prizes, and since there are 27 of those same species on Pokemon Spy Scopes never released as prizes (but available on the collectors' market), and since the same species of Pokemon used on the Flix and Spy Scopes are appearing on these Pokemon gears, speculation is that there are also 27 different Pokemon characters represented on the gears.
Under the names of the Pokemon characters are the elements, or types, for that particular species. For example, the elements for Ho-oh are Fire and Flying. According the Maria S. Barbo's The Official Pokemon Handbook, elements give an indication of the Pokemon's characteristics. According to the book, "Elements also clue you in to which Pokemon would do well in a battle against another element. Water dampens fire, and fire scorches Grass. It's kind of like a more advanced version of rock, paper, scissors."
Each prize base is approximately 2" square, including the puzzle piece extensions; and the dials are about 1 13/16" in diameter, counting the gear spokes. The prize series number for these Cracker Jack prizes is CJ #19, according the backs of the bases, which also indicate the prizes were "Made in China."
With extremely rare exceptions, Cracker Jack prizes since World War II have come from American suppliers until Frito-Lay first introduced Chinese imports in large bags of Cracker Jack in early 2000. With the Japanese Pokemon (always without an "s," just like Cracker Jack) featured on prizes made in China, Cracker Jack prizes have become quite international, appropriate perhaps for "The Best Snack in the World."
