When I first heard about Pokémon TCG Pocket , I was pretty excited. As an OG card collector from the late ’90s and early 2000s, I have fond memories of grabbing booster packs and the thrill of discovering a shiny new Pokémon—or facing disappointment. That unpredictability was part of the fun, as any collector can tell you.
Later, I got the Pokémon Trading Card Game for Game Boy, which taught me how to actually play without risking damage to my precious cards. To this day, my collection remains in mint condition because I refused to use or share them.
Extra? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Now, years later, a mobile version seemed like the perfect way to scratch the nostalgia itch without diving back into physical collecting. After spending a few months with Pokémon TCG Pocket (PTCGP), I’ve found things to enjoy, but also some glaring flaws that hold it back.
What I Like About Pokémon TCGP
Let’s start with the good. As a former collector and diehard Pokémon fan, I’m the perfect target audience. Opening virtual packs feels exciting, thanks to the care put into the game’s polished interface. Navigating and participating in the game is visually stunning, and high-tier cards, like the crown Mewtwo, are gorgeously animated.
One of my favorite aspects has been matching my original physical cards with their digital counterparts. It brings back a satisfying sense of connection to my old collection. For someone who loves collecting, PTCGP delivers in that department.
What I Don’t Like About PTCGP
Confusing Currency and Time Gates
The currency system is unnecessarily complex, with tokens, tickets, hourglasses, stamina, and more. Each one interacts with game mechanics in ways that feel convoluted.
For example:
- Booster packs unlock every 12 hours, but you can speed them up with hourglasses (1 per hour).
- Wonder picks, which cost stamina hearts, vary in cost based on card value. Hearts refill on a timer or with hourglasses.
- Shop tickets allow you to buy hourglasses, while real-world currency (PokéGold) offers similar shortcuts.
Additional event-specific tickets, emblem tickets, and premium shop currencies make it exhausting to keep track. While you do adjust over time, the system feels unnecessarily bloated and could be simplified for a better experience.
Frustrating Battles
The simplified battle system feels casual but lacks depth. RNG plays too large a role, making strategy almost irrelevant at times. Solo battles (vs AI) rely on stacking the opponent’s deck rather than genuine difficulty, while player-versus-player matches suffer from a heavy reliance on EX cards.
The meta revolves around building fast, aggressive decks, which stifles creativity and experimentation. Private lobbies like the “NOEX” honor code games are nice in theory, but they’re often disrupted by players bringing EX decks to dominate.
What Could Improve Pokémon TCGP
- Balanced Battle Options: Official support for non-EX battles would improve accessibility and variety.
- Simplified Currency Systems: Streamlining the rewards and currency would make gameplay less overwhelming.
- Trading System: The upcoming trading feature offers hope. Players could more easily fill gaps in their collections, alleviating some frustration with deck building.
In Conclusion
Pokémon TCGP has its charms, especially for collectors and longtime fans. However, its convoluted systems and lackluster battle mechanics hold it back from greatness. While I’ve found ways to enjoy the game—focusing on collecting over competitive play—it still feels like it falls short of its potential.
With time and thoughtful updates, it could evolve into something truly special. For now, it’s worth a try, especially for nostalgic fans, but don’t expect it to rival the excitement of the original trading card game.
Interested in giving it a try? Download Pokémon TCG Pocket for IOS / Android!
