For pokemon TCG can we still use the old cards from the first generation?

Question

or is it like magicthegathering where things rotate out and there's type 2 extended and type 1 ?

Answer 1

There is a similar format rotation.  Pokemon has two formats - Unlimited and Modified.  For Unlimited tournaments, you can use any card from any expansion set, but it is not a very popular format.  The current Modified format is EX:Holon Phantoms-on, which includes the sets EX:Holon Phantoms, EX:Crystal Guardians, EX:Dragon Frontiers, EX:Power Keepers, Diamond & Pearl, D&P:Mysterious Treasures, D&P:Secret Wonders, D&P:Great Encounters and D&P:Majestic Dawn.  The next format rotation will be on September 1st (just after the World Championships), and the remaining EX sets will be rotated out.  All of this info should be available on the official Nintendo Pokemon TCG home page.

Hope this helps!