$5.2 million dollars. That’s the current value of the most expensive Pokémon card in history, which is owned by influencer Logan Paul. This serves as clear proof that the Pokémon collectible card game is a phenomenon. Now, the popular pastime of opening packs, collecting cards, and battling against other players is making its way to phones in the form of a free-to-play title called Pokémon TCG Pocket. I’ve had a chance to test it, and it definitely feels like a lucrative venture for The Pokémon Company.
What’s Pokémon TCG Pocket about? If you’re used to playing the original Pokémon Trading Card Game, you’ll recognize the mechanics. In the popular collective card game, players go to a store, purchase booster packs, reveal the cards they receive, and build their collection. After that, they can engage in competitive battles with other players. Pokémon TCG Pocket follows this exact formula. Gamers open booster packs on their phones, collect cards, and compete if they want to. It’s as simple as that.
Opening booster packs. Players can open two booster packs each day for free. The current expansion is “Genetic Apex,” which includes three collections: Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo. Depending on the pack you select, you’ll receive different cards. To reveal your cards, simply slide your finger across the screen (with a smooth animation) to add them to your collection. As in the original game, there are various types of cards featuring different finishes, visual effects, and more.
And yes, you can also get duplicate cards.
Notably, the game features a system where players can see what cards their friends and other users have obtained and try to acquire any they like. It’s a random process, and users don’t lose their cards in the process. For example, if you have a really cool Pikachu card and four others that aren’t as impressive, someone else can attempt to get the same Pikachu card. Each day, players have five picks using this system, which recharges over time.
Exceptional design. While it’s clear that having cards in a mobile game is different from having physical cards, the quality of the digital cards is commendable. The artwork is outstanding, and the way the cards shimmer as you move them adds to the immersive experience. It’s evident that The Pokémon Company has significant expertise in the card arena and has successfully translated that experience to phones.
Overall, the game is visually appealing and is likely to attract those who have a fondness for the franchise, at least initially.
Is that all? Yes and no. If opening booster packs, collecting cards, and showcasing them off is all you want to do, that’s all there is. If not, there are two main aspects to consider: the competitive and the monetary side of the game.
In the competitive side, you can play against other players or the AI in a simplified version of the board game. Additionally, there’s a mission system where you can complete tasks by opening envelopes to acquire cards. You also earn points through this system, which can be redeemed for cards by opening envelopes.
Regarding duplicate cards, if you receive a duplicate, you get a material called “shinedust.” You can exchange shinedust for visual effects, such as golden sparkles, on the cards you already possess. It’s worth noting that duplicates do appear frequently. In my experience, I’ve received the same card in five or six different openings.
Now, let’s discuss the monetary aspect of the game.
Potential for profit. The game allows players to open two packs of cards each day for free, but they can also fast-track their progress using hourglasses. Each hourglass advances your time by one hour, and each envelope recharges in 12 hours. As such, you would need 12 hourglasses to get a full recharge. You can earn these by completing missions, for example.
Alternatively, if you want to skip the hourglasses altogether, you can use real money to advance the clock with paid Poke Gold. Each Poke Gold lets you move the clock forward by two hours, so to advance the full 12 hours needed to recharge a pack, you’d need six Poke Gold.
The cheapest option costs $0.99 and comes with five Poke Gold. The second option is priced at $2.99 and includes 15 Poke Gold. In this regard, it should be noted that you can’t buy just six Poke Gold to open a single envelope. You must either purchase 15 Poke Gold or buy two packs of five. At the time of publication, there’s a promotional offer that provides additional Poke Gold with each purchase, but this promotion is likely to end soon.
Battle pass. In addition to Poke Gold, the game features a Premium Pass that allows players to open one more envelope per day, access premium missions, and obtain special cards and items. The pass costs $9.99 per month. As a result, there are certain aspects of the game (particularly related to premium missions) that you can’t access without a subscription, similar to some special missions in Pokémon GO.
A profitable franchise. Pokémon is a franchise that generates significant revenue, with an impressive $10.8 billion in merchandising and licensing in 2023 alone. Regarding the original Pokémon TCG, the company sold a staggering 12 billion cards in 2023. Since its inception, it has sold a remarkable 64.9 billion cards worldwide. In Japan, the game generated $857 million in 2023.
The decision to bring the popular game to phones–where micropayments are common, and physical store visits are unnecessary–makes perfect sense. Time will tell how it evolves, but Pokémon TCG Pocket is likely to be a lucrative new offering for The Pokémon Company.
Image | Xataka
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