Pokémon TCG Pocket: The Revival of the Pokémon Card Game on Mobile

A Modern Experience for Collecting and Playing

Pokémon TCG Pocket retains the essence of the physical game but simplifies and adapts it with new features suitable for digital play. Players can open 2 free boosters per day to enrich their collection of digital cards. These boosters contain reimagined real cards, as well as new immersive cards that literally plunge players into the card's illustration. This novelty gives Pokémon Pocket a unique identity in the world of online card games. Unlike its predecessor, Pokémon TCG Live, Pokémon Pocket aims for a more accessible experience while allowing in-app purchases for those who want to progress faster. The in-game currency, Poké Gold, can be used to buy additional boosters or customize cosmetic accessories like playmats or card protectors. The main goal of the game remains the same: collect rare cards, build decks, and face opponents worldwide in PvP battles.

A Revisited Gameplay for All Trainers

The battles in Pokémon TCG Pocket work similarly to the physical game, with strategic combat based on simplified rules for faster gameplay. The aim is still to defeat the opponent's Pokémon by skillfully utilizing Pokémon, trainer, and energy cards. Modes like random matches and private matches allow players to face friends or strangers online, and solo challenges are available to get acquainted with the game mechanics before venturing into competitive mode. A highlight feature in the game is the miracle draw. This system allows players to 'steal' or duplicate a card from another player. This mechanics infuses suspense and community interaction. By playing regularly, you can access rare cards through this system without spending real money. Additionally, the game offers borrow decks. These are pre-constructed decks, perfect for beginners who don't yet have a sufficient collection to create their own competitive deck. These borrow decks are usable a limited number of times, but they allow players to experiment with different play styles without immediately purchasing cards.

How to Play Before Everyone Else?

Even though the global release is planned for late October, Pokémon TCG Pocket is already playable in early access in New Zealand. This rollout, common in the mobile gaming world, allows developers to test the game on a large scale before a global launch. By using a VPN to simulate a location in New Zealand, players worldwide can already dive into this universe before the official release. The process to access the game is simple but requires some handling. Players need to download the game's APK for Android devices from reliable third-party sources or change their Apple account region for iOS. A VPN is then necessary to trick the application into believing the player is in New Zealand. Once in the game, progress made (cards, decks, etc.) is retained for the global release, offering a strategic advantage to those who start now.

Monetization That Already Divides Players

Like most modern mobile games, Pokémon TCG Pocket includes in-app purchases for players who want to progress faster. Options like the Premium Pass, costing around €10/month, allow unlocking additional boosters and special missions to speed up collection. While the game remains accessible without spending money, these subscriptions offer a time gain and undoubtedly a significant advantage. However, the game's economic model raises, as always, questions, particularly about the balance between paying players and those who prefer to play for free. Although cards can be obtained without microtransactions, premium boosters, cosmetic effects, and other exclusive items add a competitive dimension that can be frustrating for those who choose not to spend. It's a debate that isn't new...

Collect Them All (or Almost)

True to a gacha game, Pokémon TCG Pocket introduces a controlled chaos: every booster opening brings its share of surprises. With very low drop rates for the rarest EX or immersive cards, collectors will need to open many boosters before acquiring a prestige card such as Charizard EX or Mewtwo EX, which represent only a 0.03% chance of appearing in some packs. The temptation to reset one's account to maximize the chances of obtaining rare cards from the first boosters is a common phenomenon among the most dedicated players. This technique allows players to 'reroll' their progress until acquiring a sufficiently powerful starting deck for future battles.