Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket (often abbreviated as Pokémon TCG Pocket) is a free-to-play mobile adaptation of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), developed by Creatures Inc. and DeNA, and published by The Pokémon Company.[1] The game was revealed on February 27, 2024 during a Pokémon Presents presentation[2] and officially released on October 30, 2024, on both iOS and Android devices.[3] Pokémon TCG Pocket serves as a mobile adaptation of the traditional TCG, allowing players to collect cards, build decks, and engage in battles against other players. The game incorporates features designed for mobile gameplay, including daily rewards and animated cards, while maintaining the core mechanics of the original TCG.
| Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Creatures Inc. DeNA |
| Publisher(s) | The Pokémon Company |
| Series | Pokémon |
| Platform(s) | iOS, Android |
| Release | October 30, 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Digital collectible card game |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
As of December 12, 2024, Pokémon TCG Pocket surpassed 60 million downloads. The game was nominated for "Best Mobile Game" at The Game Awards 2024.[4] It has generated approximately $3 million per day in revenue since its release.[5] Japan accounted for 45 percent of total earnings after four days of release, while the United States followed as the second biggest market, contributing 25 percent of the app store revenue for the game.[6] Total revenues reached $120.8 million less than a month after launch.[7]
Gameplay
editPokémon TCG Pocket centers around opening digital booster packs and collecting the cards inside.[8] Later on, the player can build decks with the cards to battle against other players.[9]
A booster pack contains 5 cards and can be opened every 12 hours, which can be reduced by an hour with "Hourglasses". Multiple hourglasses can be used to reduce the waiting time further, but once a pack is opened, it will go back to 12 hours. A monthly "Premium Pass" subscription lets the player open an extra pack each day.[9] In addition to opening packs, the player can use a "Wonder Pick", in which the player will get one random card out of a pack another player had opened.[8]
The game was released with the Genetic Apex expansion, with 3 different types of booster packs and 286 cards (226 normal cards plus 65 rare variants, in addition to a Mew card obtained by collecting a card of every Kanto Pokemon). Duplicate cards can be used to obtain flair for that specific card. The player can also draw Immersive Cards, a special card type that plays an animated scene of the environment beyond the original art. Promo cards outside the expansions can be obtained through the shop, themed drop events, or the premium pass.
Battling consists of a simplifed version of the physical card game. Differences from it include a deck consisting of 20 cards instead of 60, and "energy cards" being replaced with the player getting one energy per turn.[8] Energy is used to allow Pokémon to attack.[9] A player wins when they get 3 points, which are awarded for defeating Pokémon.[8]
Development
editThe concept for an app dedicated exclusively to digital Pokémon cards began to take shape around the time of Pokémon Go's initial release.[10] Executive corporate officer Keita Hirobe stated that making the game more approachable and maintaining a low barrier to entry were two of The Pokémon Company's primary objectives during development.[10]
Release
edit
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket was revealed on February 27, 2024 during a Pokémon Presents.[11] At the closing ceremonies of the Pokémon World Championships in Hawaii, a new trailer for the game was released, revealing its official release date of October 30, 2024.[12] In August, the Pokémon Company announced over 6 million people had pre-registered for the game.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket". IGN. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Diaz, Ana (February 27, 2024). "Pokémon is getting a whole new way to collect cards virtually". Polygon. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Celebrate the Launch of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket at the Outernet". Pokemon.com. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/Pokemon-Trading-Card-Game-Pocket-Celebrates-60-Million-Downloads-Since
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 4, 2024). "It's Early Days, but Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Already Looks Like a Smash Hit". IGN. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Tom (November 4, 2024). "Pokémon TCG Pocket off to strong start, reportedly earns $12m in four days". Eurogamer. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/pokemon-tcg-pocket-reportedly-generates-120m-since-launch
- ^ a b c d Mamon, Mike (September 19, 2024). "Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Is A Snazzy Way to Carry a Pokemon Card Binder in Your Pocket". IGN. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c Colantonio, Giovanni (October 31, 2024). "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is nostalgic fun with red flags". Digital Trends. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Pulliam-Moore, Charles (September 19, 2024). "Pokémon TCG Pocket wants to be a gateway to digital card collecting". The Verge. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (February 27, 2024). "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Announced, Brings the TCG to Mobile in 2024". IGN. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ DeFreitas, Casey (August 19, 2024). "Pokémon TCG Pocket Release Date Set for October". IGN. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ Doolan, Liam (October 18, 2024). "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Surpasses Six Million Pre-Registrations". Nintendo Life. Retrieved November 8, 2024.