Pokémon TCG Pocket is a new way to play the Pokémon TCG on mobile devices, developed by The Pokémon Company, DeNA Co Ltd, and Creatures Inc—the card designers for both this game and the physical card game. It features a unique, completely isolated format, and slightly modified game-rules. Who is this app for, why did they change the game-rules, what are they doing differently with the card design, and how can competitive players take advantage of TCG Pocket to fast-track improvement in the original game? All will be answered in this article!
Who is this app for?
The collecting and gameplay of the Pokémon TCG have been absent from the mainstream market of mobile gaming since its inception over a decade and a half ago. While the exact gameplay from the physical game has been ported to mobile devices twice now—first with PTCGO in 2014 and TCG Live in 2023—neither attempted to create gameplay dedicated to a mobile experience. Furthermore, the act of collecting and trading cards was diminished and even abandoned in these applications. All of this greatly reduced the potential for them to attract new players, and to provide an experience that manages the strengths and weaknesses of the mobile platform over the physical cards.
Pokémon TCG Pocket is the first time the Pokémon TCG has been optimized for a mobile experience, and with the goal of significantly increasing the player base from a new market. It’s designed with a heavy focus on collection, but with an intuitive and compelling introduction to playing the game. To sum it up, this app’s primary target audience is people who have never played the Pokémon TCG—especially the millions of collectors that fit that description. However, that does not mean the game is not a worthwhile and fulfilling experience for already-experienced players. In fact, as I’ll explain later, it offers a way to practice and train fundamentals in a better way than the original game.
Why are the rules different?
Games on mobile devices are typically enjoyed in different settings and under stricter limitations than physical games. The Pokémon TCG’s physical gameplay is best expressed through long, strategic games where players are willing to dedicate over a half an hour to them, including time to set up. This game length is not compatible as a replacement to the much shorter or more time-flexible games people usually tend towards on mobile devices. Until now, there was no way to fully enjoy the Pokémon TCG if you only had 10-15 minutes on the bus, train, during a break, or any other time where people may open up a game on their phones.
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