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Trading cards are huge and the history of pokémon TCG is equally so. So Pokémon TCG Pocket offers a stripped-down version of such experiences – collecting and battling cards – right on your smartphone. Not a TCG Live replacement, Pocket is a more streamlined, mobile-only affair with its own original card sets.
Developed by Creatures, Inc., TCGP looks to be a simple and enjoyable experience for pokémon universe fans and more casual gamers alike. Here, we’ll cover exactly what you need to know about the title, starting with the Pokémon TCG Pocket release date.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Release Date
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s release date is Wednesday, October 30, 2024. This release date was confirmed in August 2024 with the arrival of the title’s gameplay trailer. Towards the end of the video, viewers are shown “debuting October 30!” text.
However, although the game does release on October 30, a ‘soft launch’ has meant some people have played it early. As reported by comicbook.com on September 26, a “very soft launch” in New Zealand saw players gain access to a ‘region-locked’ version of the game (via ComicBook).
Even for a soft launch, it was reportedly earlier than expected arriving more than a full month before release. As expected, it’s been populated by necessary downtime and maintenance to ensure the game is optimized ahead of multiple Pokémon TCG Pocket regional access.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Price
There’s great news, the Pokémon TCG Pocket price is free – to download and install and to play. In fact, the app is free, unless you want to spend money to unlock more cards and booster packs in-app. But you don’t need to spend money if you’re keen to play it casually and just see where it takes you.
Every player will gain access to an initial booster pack for free. Additionally, players will gain access to two free booster packs per day, to steadily build their collections. So you may pick up some of the Pokémon TCG Pocket cards with varied illustrations, or even some of the impactful ‘animated’, or immersive cards (that show a story within them). Plus, players can get the chance to pick a single card from a pack opened by other players.
Of course, there will be payable options for players who want to purchase booster packs and collect more cards to gain an edge. But this is not essential in the app if you want to avoid costs.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Platforms
There are only two available Pokémon TCG Pocket platforms, iOS or Android, as the game is exclusive to mobile. Nothing is confirmed for consoles or PC at this time.
Although Nintendo fans may wish otherwise, there will be no Pokémon TCG Pocket for the Switch version at launch. While, in theory, there could be a version on Nintendo’s console, there’s no suggestion there are plans for one.
This is similar to TCG Live, which is available on iOS and Android but not Switch. However, TCG Live is also available on Windows and MacOS devices. It remains to be seen whether the latest in the Pokémon series will leave mobile, but it wouldn’t be the first mobile-exclusive game in the franchise, as we’ve seen with the massively popular Pokémon Go.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Trailers
There are two key Pokémon TCG Pocket trailers, the first of which arrived on August 19, 2024. This initial ‘pre-register’ trailer is a minute and a half long and shows the basic functions and elements of Pokémon TCG Pocket.
In the trailer, we briefly see what any player who activates a Pokémon TCG Pocket download will gain access to.
Highlighting the game’s swipe-to-open booster pack animation, this trailer introduces the original card set styles designed specifically for it. We get a glance at immersive card types, the app’s snappy card and collection animations, as well as a brief view of the simplified rules battle feature (complete with coin toss).
The Pokémon TCG Pocket gameplay trailer was released on September 20, 2024. This longer trailer offers more depth into the Pocket app, revealing that the app is for people to enjoy TCG more casually. Showing a simple ‘open, pick a pack, and get started’ approach, this trailer explains the app offers a two free booster pack per day element, allowing players to add to their collections.
Beyond this, we get a look at the collection page, cards that can be put ‘on display’, and Pocket’s approach to card illustrations — sometimes classic and nostalgia-focused, other times with new illustrations. We also learned that the same Pokémon can have a variety of illustrations in TCG Pocket.
While also showing a longer look at impactful card types that appear to have dynamic animations, we also see the apps’ immersive card types – these cards can be tapped to open up an immersive short animated experience, adding extra depth to the cards and wider collections. The trailer then shows us that players can gain a chance to pick a card from other players’ packs – again for free.
Finally, we see the now simplified-rules-focused battle feature. With sharp animation and clear detail, the new battle mechanisms are designed for casual and new players. They appear clean and straightforward, allowing for greater engagement without the need for a deep knowledge of rules!
Latest Pokémon TCG Pocket News
Pokémon TCG Pocket will be released on October 30 for Android and iOS devices, after a soft launch of the title in New Zealand. You you can pre-register for the app, which differs from the existing Pokémon TCG Live service in several ways, including card sets, deck size, battle rules, and platform availability. The free-to-play Pocket is iOS and Android only, and is not available on Windows or MacOS.
What is Pokémon TCG Pocket?
A new free-to-play Pokémon trading card game for mobile devices
Pokémon TCG Pocket is a free-to-play Pokémon TCG game on Android and iOS devices. Offering microtransactions and digital purchases, players can use original TCG Pocket-only card sets, and create collections not faithful to the real-world sets used by TCG Live.
Designed as a slimmed-down and engaging experience, TCG Pocket offers a simplified vs the app or player battle feature, free daily booster packs, and story-containing ‘impactful’ animated and ‘immersive’ card types. The app also allows you to put your favorite cards ‘on display’ in the app.
The Bottom Line
Pokémon TCG Pocket is a mobile-only app and game that allows a more casual and easy TCG experience, with a free-to-play model featuring microtransactions, including a simplified battle (vs app or player) option.
The game arrives on October 30, 2024, across regions, for Android and iOS, and should allow for new and existing fans of the Pokémon universe to collect, battle, and enjoy the game’s new dedicated card sets, as well as impactful and immersive card types.
