The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has always held a special place in the hearts of fans, even as its mainstream popularity has ebbed and flowed. Now, Nintendo is bringing the joy of card collecting to mobile devices with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, launching this October on Android and iOS. This new game is designed to be a more casual and approachable experience, focusing on the thrill of opening booster packs and building your collection.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket aims to be a welcoming alternative to more competitive Pokémon titles like Pokémon TCG Live and Pokémon Unite. It’s also a different approach compared to the lore-heavy Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Keita Hirobe, an executive officer at The Pokémon Company, explains the game’s mission: “We’ve always had this idea that there should be a [Pokémon Trading Card Game] option for people who don’t want to buy physical cards or might live in parts of the world where it’s difficult to get [physical cards] in order to play.”
The game perfectly captures the nostalgic feeling of tearing open a booster pack, revealing the treasures within. You’ll get two free packs every day just for logging in, and the excitement of discovering rare cards is amplified by the beautifully rendered digital art. The initial set, called Genetic Apex, features iconic Pokémon like Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo. Wonder Pick allows you to browse packs opened by other players, offering a chance to snag coveted cards. Pocket even supports trading, letting you collect foreign language versions of cards.
The digital format allows for some impressive visual effects, especially on rarer cards. You can unlock unique flares and effects to customize your collection. The animation and sound design are also top-notch, recreating the satisfying sound of opening a pack and setting the mood with upbeat background music.
While card collecting is the focus, Pocket does feature a simplified version of the trading card game. You can build custom decks, utilize pre-made recipes, or even rent advanced decks to try your hand at battling. The gameplay is streamlined, with 20-card decks, auto-calculated HP, and an emphasis on speed. Matches are shorter than traditional TCG matches, allowing for quick rounds during breaks or commutes.
You can battle against AI opponents offline, challenge friends in private matches, or compete online against other players, earning experience points and rewards. For those who prefer a more passive approach, there’s an auto-battle feature, though it’s not guaranteed to win.
As a free-to-play game, Pocket does feature microtransactions for players who want to speed up their card collecting. However, you can build a substantial collection without spending any money by earning XP, completing missions, and relying on the daily free packs. While the game is designed to be accessible, The Pokémon Company has acknowledged that acquiring all card variations might require some spending.
The in-game currencies and systems can feel a bit complicated, especially for new players. There’s Poke Gold, Shop Tickets, Emblem Tickets, Special Shop tickets, and Shinedust, each with its own purpose and acquisition method. The game offers a lot of ways to earn and spend currency, but it can be overwhelming at first.
Despite the complexity of the currency system, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a fun and enjoyable experience. It offers a casual and nostalgic way to explore the world of Pokémon collecting, bringing back the joy of opening booster packs without the financial strain. It’s a great way to become a Pokémon master, one card at a time.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is set to release on October 30th on Android and iOS. You can pre-download the app now!
