Everything We Know About Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket (So Far)

The Trading Card Game is a beloved addition to the Pokémon franchise and one that has a storied history. Collecting cards, battling, trading, and searching for those rare finds, the TCG has built up a massive community and has continued to expand year by year. It’s as much a part of the series as the anime or the video games themselves, and this living, breathing title continues to be updated each time a new roster of characters is released.

That sense of renewal and goal to catch them all has ensured that The Pokémon Company has invested a lot of resources into developing the brand for the future. Now, there’s a mobile title on the way, that’s sure to add new depth to the Trading Card Game. Acting as a replacement and a complimentary resource, the Pokémon Trading Card GamePocket is an ambitious idea that makes this hobby more accessible to fans around the world.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Has A Long History

It’s A Major Part Of The Franchise’s Longevity

• The Trading Card Game Launched in October 1996.

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Before diving into the new Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, it’s vital to give more context to the TCG itself for those who have not played before. A huge part of the experience is about collecting, with gamers buying multiple packets and hoping for unique and rare finds. Much like in the Pokémon games themselves, players can find legendary cards, shinies, and hard-to-find Pokémon. Gotta Catch Em All is still the name of the game, with fans attempting to create a full Pokédex worth of Pokémon, in their collection.

Just like the Pokémon games, the community thus swaps cards when they get doubles, and there’s a big trading and selling market centered on the experience. Some rarer cards have been sold for absolute fortunes, and it can be an expensive hobby for a completionist to take up. But it’s not all about the unique illustrations and alternative art styles that have fans coming back for more.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is also ever-evolving. Each time a new title comes out, the card game is updated, with Pokémon that reflect those digital additions. Players can use the cards to battle one another and tournaments have been set up to decide the ultimate TCG champion. There’s a learning curve to picking up and playing the game and there is so much more to understand about how to make the most of the cards available while building a roster that benefits gameplay over the collectible aspect.

The fan base is split between those who simply want to build up a larger collection and those focused on getting the strongest cards for the battles themselves. Ultimately, the game tries to be as faithful as possible to the video game experience, with types and levels and other such mechanics getting baked into the game. The longevity of the Trading Card Game has helped to add prestige to the Pokémon series, and there’s a whole group of players who don’t interact with other elements of the franchise at all, but rather stick with the TCG, demonstrating its value for the company.

The Trading Card Game Just Went Digital

The Principles Of The Mobile Game Copy From The TCG

• There have been around 16,014 trading cards created for the game.

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Not too long ago, The Pokémon Company announced the debut of The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket which is set to release sometime in 2024, although no date has been confirmed yet. The mobile title is going to be released on Android and iOS. It’s being created by Creatures Inc. who worked on the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and DeNA Co., Ltd, who will help in bringing the experience into the digital world. The game isn’t a massive departure from what fans already know and love about the Trading Card Game.

In fact, it’s simply a digital addition. Players will get the opportunity to open two new packs of cards every day, for free, but there will likely be optional extras for those willing to part with cash. Just like the TCG, players will find themselves opening rare finds, shiny cards, and Legendary Pokémon, building a digital collection that’s stored on their mobile devices.

Trading, battling, and all the other aspects of the Trading Card Game will also be built into this digital experience. This is going to make the game far more accessible to fans and cost-effective, as it will be free to sign up and play. The game will be updated just like the Trading Card Game, and it appears that a huge stack of the cards that are available in real life will be available in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. It’s an interesting concept and one that could, in theory, replace the physical title altogether.

However, because of the dedication the fan base has to the card game, it’s likely that this will simply be a complimentary title and is not intended to reduce the sales of the actual cards themselves. Much like Pokémon GO dominated the mobile market and Marvel Snap has brought digital TCGs into the mainstream, the new Pocket title will be aiming to capture that same audience, on a massive scale. While Pokémon TCG Live has already experimented in this field, there will be a few key features that set this apart.

Pokémon Pocket Offers Up Immersive New Experiences

The Mobile Title Aims To Bring The Trading Card Game To Life

• The most expensive trading card of all time was the 1998 Pikachu Illustrator, which sold for $5.275 million.

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While the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket might be dedicated to staying as close as possible to the usual TCG, it is also looking to use the technology available to its advantage. Thus, the title will also boast interactive elements, that make it all worthwhile. Not only will the game stock an archive of cards from throughout the years, making nostalgic products from the past easy to view, but it will also incorporate moving and immersive cards that bring a scene to life.

A character might use a special ability, the scenery may add some atmosphere, or a Pokémon might move in a signature way. The idea is that different animations will be brought to the digital experience, allowing players to interact with their collection much as they would with the Pokémon in a game like Pokémon GO. It’s a novel idea and one that gives TCG players an incentive to log on and try out the mobile experience. What’s more, with each new generation, it will be easier to update the title in real-time.

Ultimately, the Trading Card Game isn’t going anywhere, and for those who enjoy the tabletop hobby, this will surely be a fun alternative way to experience it. What’s more, the popularity of the mobile game may translate to physical sales, growing the community. There’s still so much more to learn about this experience and what the company has planned for it.

Expect to see further details over the summer, perhaps with more unique features added that make the most of the mobile experience, such as social sharing options or an online trading market. But for now, fans may want to go back to those earliest Pokémon games to see how far the franchise has come and play the Trading Card Game in its original form. Overall, the Pocket game looks to be an innovative step forward for a Trading Card Game that has never failed to adapt.

Pokemon Trading Card Game

The Pokémon Trading Card Game, or Pokémon TCG, is a collectible card game developed by Creatures Inc. based on the Pokémon franchise.

Original Release Date

October 20, 1996

Publisher

Wizards of the Coast

Player Count

2

Age Recommendation

6+

Length per Game

2-120 minutes

Expansions

Pokemon TCG Paldean Fates Booster Bundle , Pokemon TCG: Crown Zenith Special Collection – Pikachu VMAX , Pokemon TCG Sword & Shield Silver Tempest Elite Trainer Box

Publishing Co

Wizards of the Coast, The Pokémon Company