Pokémon cards are a thing. Pokémon Trading Card Game debuted in 1996 (almost 30 years ago) and is still an icon in the card game world. It has a continually active competitive scene, and its most collectible part reaches figures that take your breath away. And what else moves an amount of money that is not huge but gigantic? Mobile games. So, Creatures Inc. finally took the logical step and announced Pokémon TCG Pocket, a mobile version.
Pokémon booster packs are coming to smartphones. Pokémon TCG Pocket is a Pokémon game that combines the franchise’s card packs with the game itself. In other words, it’s an app that allows us to collect the cards and play with them against other players. It also has the advantage that we don’t have to put the cards in plastic cases, and we can use them without fear that they’ll deteriorate.
In addition, some cards are “immersive.” Players are particularly interested in holographic or scene cards in this game because the new app allows them to not only move the card and see its effects but also to “enter” some scenes, walk around, and see what is happening in the background. It’s a fascinating implementation, of course. Creating binders or display boards to show off our most precious cards will also be possible.
But it goes even further. According to the game’s website, Pokémon TCG Pocket will allow us to open two packs of cards per day for free. “You will be able to open two booster packs every day at no cost. You can collect digital cards featuring nostalgic artwork from the past as well as brand-new cards that are exclusive to Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket,” it explains. And we’ll do it literally: The pack will appear in front of us, and we’ll have to slide our fingers across the top to open it, all accompanied by animation and sound.
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How to open the booster packs in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Image | Pokémon
That smells like money. This game may have a coin system to buy booster packs, just like in Pokémon GO, where we can earn premium coins by maintaining gyms. Despite being a free app, micropayments could be a central part of the experience. TechRadar notes that “it’ll feature a premium currency known as ‘Poké Gold.’ It’s not yet known what the currency will be used for, but it seems there is also going to be a monthly premium pass costing $9.99.” Until we see how the game performs among players, the economic potential of this title is self-explanatory.
The social aspect. This is another of the points of this game. One of the keys to the popularity of the Pokémon TCG is the ability to trade cards with other players (there are places where fans meet to exchange cards), which will also be possible in the digital world. Pokémon TCG Pocket will allow you to trade cards with others, but the company hasn’t detailed the process. We don’t know if you have to be nearby or if you can do it with anyone in the world through some online hub.
The same applies to competitive play, which we know you can play against friends or AI.
Charizard card. Image | Pokémon
Release date. There’s still a lot to reveal, but the good news is that we won’t have to wait too long to try it out for ourselves. Pokémon TCG Pocket will arrive on iOS and Android on October 30. It’s already available for pre-order on the App Store and Google Play Store.
This article was written by Jose García and originally published in Spanish on Xataka.
Images | Pokémon TCG Pocket
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