Pokemon TCG Pocket frustrates card collectors; ‘do y’all feel cheated?’
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s soft launch is underway in New Zealand and, of course, clever collectors around the rest of the world have already found a way in via VPN.
Reactions are mixed among those who have tried out the new app ahead of the official release on October 30.
The two biggest sources of complaints? One, Pokemon TCG Pocket features a number of flashy card designs that apparently won’t be printed. And second, the game lacks much to the app outside of ripping packs, displaying pulls and playing a streamlined version of the trading card game.
Essentially, it’s another way to experience what collectors are already able to do, only without their favorite part: the shiny, tangible cardboard.
However, as one X/Twitter user put it: “crying about the all the nutty artwork in Pokemon TCG Pocket being ‘stuck’ in the app has the same smell as only collecting Pokemon cards for the (money) … you can still enjoy digital artwork, physical or not and it does NOT undermine the beautiful physical cards we do have right now.”
But many, if not most, Pokemon card collectors do factor in the money. That’s just natural.
🫠 My take on why they went all out on the artwork is to get people to move to Pocket. 🤔
— Couyon Collectibles (@CouyonCollect) September 26, 2024
Do yall feel cheated without these being real cards? 🤷♂️ https://t.co/YIloyWRhi0
TCG Pocket is definitely an unusual game to cover. There's no end-goal. No narrative to follow.
— Joe Merrick (@JoeMerrick) September 26, 2024
I've got the databases up for cards and customisation options…just going through solo battles now to make pages on that, but not sure what else you guys would be looking for?
It’s too soon to tell the impact Pokemon TCG Pocket might have on physical collecting. Will this platform serve as a gateway to bring more people into the hobby? Or could it satisfy the countless folks who get the itch to purchase physical cards and prevent them from making that leap?
Clear positives include accessibility for those who don’t have the means to purchase their own cards, including children. Pokemon TCG Pocket allows users to open two complimentary packs daily. A third can be accessed through a $9.99 Premium Pass, which you can also trial free for two weeks.
The app also reduces waste. Who hasn’t felt a little bit guilty ripping open Pokemon’s collection boxes and all of their plastic?
Either way you fall on TCG Pocket, Pokemon seems as if it would do well to connect its digital collectors with a physical set of cards over time. Pokemon’s popularity continues to boom, and the TCG has oddly enough decided to compete with itself, possibly antiquating one of its main revenue sources.