Pokemon TCG Pocket: Release date, gameplay features, and more

Pokemon TCG Pocket is a new way to experience the Pocket Monsters Trading Card Game on mobile devices. While Pokemon Trading Card Game Live is used for conventional collection and battling in TCG's traditional ways, TCG Pocket is geared more toward the joy of collecting cards. However, it also features a battle function, in a rapid and scaled-down format.

There's still some time before Pokemon TCG Pocket is released, but in case Pokemon fans aren't aware of the game, its features, and release date, it doesn't hurt to examine them so fans can be prepared.

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Pokemon TCG Pocket release date

TCG Pocket is earmarked for an October 30, 2024, release date (Image via The Pokemon Company)

According to the official announcement by The Pokemon Company, Pokemon TCG Pocket is set to debut worldwide on October 30, 2024. However, there is currently a soft launch where the game is available in New Zealand. Trainers in New Zealand can already download it from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

While some players may be unhappy with only one region getting early access, a similar situation occurred with Pokemon Trading Card Game Live, which had a soft launch in Canada to test features and address potential bugs before the full release. Though it’s frustrating to wait, this testing phase helps provide valuable feedback to improve the game ahead of its worldwide debut.

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Gameplay features in Pokemon TCG Live

The Wonder Pick feature in TCG Pocket allows trainers to pick a random card from another trainer's booster pack (Image via The Pokemon Company)

The core gameplay of Pokemon TCG Pocket is focused on opening different booster packs and collecting cards from the Pocket Monsters Trading Card Game. By default, trainers are provided with a free pack to open every twelve hours. However, by completing missions to collect items known as hourglasses, it's possible to speed up the free booster pack timer to open more packs in a day.

Moreover, there is an in-game currency known as Poke Gold, which can be used to make purchases of additional packs, including up to ten packs at a time. This gold can be obtained from gameplay or via microtransactions. A Premium Pass also exists that can allow an additional free pack opening per day and give access to premium missions that provide rare cards and additional items/currency.

However, that isn't all there is to this game. There's also the Wonder Pick function. Trainers are given five regenerative Wonder Pick Stamina points that can be used to access packs other players have opened and randomly select one of the cards in the pack to be added to their collection. Depending on the rarity of the cards in the pack, some Wonder Picks can cost multiple stamina points to open.

A battle taking place in Pokemon TCG Pocket (Image via The Pokemon Company)

In the Social Hub feature, it's possible to share customizable card displays known as Binders and Display Boards to present to the community. The Social Hub will also eventually allow trainers to trade cards with their friends, though the trading function hasn't been made available yet in the early rollout.

As trainers level up by collecting cards and completing missions, they'll also be able to access Pokemon TCG Pocket's Battle feature. By using their own constructed decks or rental decks, trainers can face off in a slimmed-down version of the original TCG format.

The TCG Pocket format for battles is different in a few ways, including the following rules:

• Decks are limited to 20 cards max.
• Only two copies of the same card can be in the same deck.
• Elemental weaknesses add 20 HP damage instead of multiplying an incoming attack's damage.
• Prize points are rewarded instead of prize cards, and there are three total to obtain to win.
• In place of energy cards, players have an Energy Zone that creates one energy per turn.
• Cards have no elemental resistances.
• The Bench area is limited to three cards.
• At the start of the match, players draw five cards, and the player who goes first cannot attach energy, but they can use Supporter Cards.
• The hand size is limited to ten cards.
• Rental decks are not permitted in player vs player battles.

These changes to the traditional Pokemon TCG battle formula allow for quick battles between players. Much like collecting cards, winning battles allow trainers to complete missions and collect rewards. Moreover, the solo battle function possesses multiple difficulty tiers and offers event battles. Event battles are also available in PvP in addition to private and random matches.

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Is Pokemon TCG Pocket worth downloading?

Pokemon TCG Pocket can be a great way to casually enjoy the Pokemon Trading Card game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Overall, while Pokemon Trading Card Live is likely to remain the preferable digital version for battling with cards (and real-world booster packs can provide free booster packs in TCG Live), Pokemon TCG Pocket offers a relaxed experience for fans of the TCG. It caters to fans who enjoy collecting various cards and enjoying their art or chasing the thrill of obtaining rare cards.

Pokemon TCG Pocket uses its collection of game-exclusive cards that won't be found in the official paper/digital TCG. Finding a Base Set Charizard won't be possible (though some cards are inspired by TCG originals), but there are already tons of cards in the initial Genetic Apex set. This includes Immersive Cards where trainers can "enter" the scene of the card art.

It appears that Pokemon TCG Pocket may be the more relaxed, casual way of collecting and battling Pokemon cards compared to the more voluminous and meta-heavy official TCG. Player enjoyment may depend on what fans hope to get out of this game, but the enjoyment of occasionally popping into the game and opening some packs to collect new cards can be a nice plus during the day.