Summary
A new way to play thePokémon Trading Card Gamewas recently revealed at the2024’s Pokémon Day celebration:Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. This new version of the game has some different rules and is fully digital, similar toPokémon TCG Live. While somePokémon TCGfans may be a little wary about splitting their attention between three different possible ways to play,Pokémon TCG Pocketdoes have some interesting things to offer players.
Pokémon TCG Pocketwas just recently revealed, so players will need to wait a little bit before actually getting their hands on it. It will likely take the game’s actual release to see how popular it will be with players, but there are some indications from other TCGs that this style of game may actually be a big win forPokémon. Players who are curious about a new way to play or collectPokémonshould at least check out what the game has to offer.
Every Pokémon TCG Set Still Releasing In 2024
There are only a few Pokémon TCG sets left in 2024. Here’s every major Pokémon set players can expect to be released by the end of this year.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Release Date & Price
July 23, 2025
Pokémon TCG Pocketis scheduled to be released on June 24, 2025, according to the Pokémon Company. Players will likely want to keep an eye out for any official announcements, either confirming this release date or pushing it back for whatever reason. The game will be available on both iOS and Android.
Pokémon TCG Pockethas been described as a free-to-start app, meaningplayers can download it for free, and play a bit without paying for it. Players will then be able to purchase digital packs of cards if they wish to continue expanding their digital collection. Players also get two free packs per day, so it is possible to continue building a collection without spending real money on the app. That said, it is likely that players who do spend money on more quickly expanding their collection will likely have an edge over those who don’t.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Gameplay Details
Pokémon TCG Pocket Is A Simplified Version Of The TCG
Pokémon TCG Pocketuses a simplified set of rulesfirst introduced inPokémon’sMyFirst Battleproducts in September 2023. This means smaller decks and Pokémon with much less complicated abilities.Pokémon TCG Pocketis likely attempting to accomplish two things here. First, it is streamlining thePokémon TCGexperience to make games quicker and easier to engage with when players have a few minutes of downtime. The game will also likely entice some players who have never played the fullTCGto check it out if they want a more in-depth experience.
Aside from the simpler rules of the cards onPokémon TCG Pocket,there are also a few unique features in the app in terms of card presentation. The first is 3D effects on cards. Players can examine these cards by rotating them, seeing elements of the card from a different angle as they pop off the usually flat display. Even cooler is the immersive art thatPokémon Asia ENGshowed off in its preview of the game on YouTube. This allows players to enter the world depicted in the art of a card, and see a ton of awesome background details that could never fit within the frame.
As far as which Pokémon are available, it’s hard to say how expansive the game’s Pokédex will be on launch. From what has been shown so far,there are plenty of Gen 1 favorites, including starters like Squirtle and Charmander, as well as popular Pokémon like Pikachu and Mewtwo. Though not too many have been shown off, it is clear that the game is going beyond the original 151 Pokémon as Pokémon like Gardevoir and Wooloo have also been previewed.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Fits A Recent Trading Card Game Trend
Pokémon TCG Pocket Is Similar To Games Like Marvel Snap
Pokémon TCG Pocketfollows the success of similar mobile TCGdeckbuilding alternatives likeMarvel SNAPandYu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. Both have proven to be relatively popular and demonstrate how well suited a shorter, simpler TCG experience is to the mobile experience.Duel Linksin particular is most clearly analogous toPokémon TCG Pocketas both are based on existing physical TCGs. Likely, the Pokémon Company is hoping to see a similar level of success as these games, and present a meaningful competitor as thePokémonIP is likely stronger than at leastYu-Gi-Oh!’s.
Pokémon TCG Pocketwill likely be a welcome alternative toPokémonfans who are tired ofusingPokémon TCG Live.Livecan be a somewhat frustrating experience, both due to its clunky design and because it doesn’t offer a direct way for players to purchase cards.Pokémon TCG Pocketmay not be a full substitute for thePokémon Trading Card Game, but its streamlined experience may be more attractive to casual players who want a quicker and easier way to battle with Pokémon.
