Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is a new, free-to-play video game adaptation of the Pokemon TCG designed specifically for mobile phones. The existence of this title may be confusing to some, since there’s already a similarly-named PTCG adaptation on iOS and Android called Pokemon Trading Card Game Live. There are some major differences between Live and Pocket, though. While the former is a one-to-one digital rendition of the physical PTCG, the latter is a streamlined, faster-paced version of the game. Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket makes significant changes to the rules of the classic PTCG, and it features entirely new cards, sets, and card types that aren’t present in any other rendition of the tabletop game.
Although Pokemon TCG Pocket was released only recently, it has already broken records. About 4 days after its October 30 debut, the game collected over $12 million in revenue worldwide. In addition, it garnered an eyewatering 10 million downloads in 48 hours. Reports suggest that Pokemon TCG Pocket generated around $1.9 million on release day, which, if true, indicates that the title had the third most successful mobile game launch of all time. The popularity of Pokemon TCG Pocket shows that there is a market for more video game adaptations of the titular TCG. As such, The Pokemon Company should consider making a follow-up to the classic Pokemon TCG games on the Game Boy.
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Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Players Have Complaints About Multiplayer Battles
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket players are frustrated with the state of multiplayer battles, and use social media to voice their dissatisfaction.
PTCG Pocket’s Success Should Encourage The Pokemon Company to Make a New Pokemon Trading Card Game
2000’s Pokemon Trading Card Game Was a Hidden Gem on the Game Boy
Before Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket and Pokemon Trading Card Game Live, there was a game simply called Pokemon Trading Card Game. This title, for those who don’t know, was a Game Boy and Game Boy Color exclusive that came out internationally in 2000. It was developed by Bomberman creator Hudson Soft in collaboration with Pokemon co-owner Creatures Inc. Pokemon Trading Card Game was, as one would expect, an adaptation of the TCG of the same name. However, unlike the other aforementioned PTCG video games, this was more of a singleplayer-focused RPG rather than a competitive card battler.
In Pokemon Trading Card Game, gamers play as a young boy named Mark, who aims to become the world’s greatest PTCG player. In order to achieve his lofty goal, Mark has to travel around a region called TCG Island and find other TCG players he can compete against. For the most part, this game is pretty similar to mainline Pokemon titles in terms of structure and story. Where it differentiates itself, of course, is in the gameplay. Duels in Pokemon Trading Card Game essentially play out like a standard, real-life PTCG match, and they incorporate mechanics from the Wizards of the Coast era of the trading card game.
Pokemon Trading Card Game 2 Was a Great, Japan-Exclusive Follow-Up to the First Game
Pokemon Trading Card Game received a sequel in 2001 called Pokemon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, but it was only released in Japan. It’s unfortunate that the game never made its way to the west, since it was a big improvement over its predecessor in many respects. PTCG 2 not only featured a greater emphasis on storytelling, it also had a larger in-game map and a playable female character. Although this game has yet to receive an official English localization, it has been translated by fans over the years.
A New, Singleplayer Pokemon Trading Card Game for the Switch Has the Potential to be Great
Despite their age, the PTCG games on the Game Boy still provide players with enjoyable experiences to this day. However, a modernized successor to these titles could be even better. Both the Pokemon series and the PTCG itself have evolved quite a bit since the early 2000s, and a new Pokemon Trading Card Game for the Nintendo Switch can take full advantage of that. A third singleplayer PTCG game with the graphics of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the Pokemon of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and the immersive cards of Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket could be a dream come true for many fans, if handled correctly.
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