Why Pokemon TCG Pocket Became So Popular?

In this article, we shall go over the various reasons why Pokemon TCG Pocket became so popular among fans.

Why Pokemon TCG Pocket Became So Popular (Source: The Pokemon Company)
Why Pokemon TCG Pocket became so popular (Source: The Pokemon Company)

The Pokemon franchise is one that needs no introduction. This series, which focuses on battle monsters, made its debut in 1996 and has since become a juggernaut in entertainment media. However, the series’ highs are not without lows.

The series has seen various games that failed to win fans over. The developers often struggled to crack the code to please fans, and saw various games that released to mixed reception. However, with Pokemon TCG Pocket, a trading card game, the developers seemed to crack the code right away. 

Pokemon TCG Pocket has become an unbridled success for the Pokemon franchise. Released on October 30, 2024, Pokemon TCG Pocket was a success right away, boasting 30 million downloads in just its first week. But what did Pokemon TCG Pocket do right that its predecessors got wrong? Why did Pokemon TCG Pocket become so popular? We shall discuss this in detail below.

Reasons for Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Popularity

The Thrill of Opening Packs 

Pokemon TCG Pocket sees you opening several packets of virtual cards. These packets all contain several Pokemon that you can add to your collection. For many, this recreates their childhood thrill of heading to a local store and buying a pack of Pokemon cards in hope of getting their favorites. Pokemon TCG Pocket does just that, but in a virtual format. 

Pokemon TCG Pocket x McDonald's Booster Pack
Different packs have different cards (Source: The Pokemon Company)

Addictive Battle System

What good is a Pokemon trainer who does not put their Pokemon to use? Once you’ve got the Pokemon you need, it is time to test them in battle. Pokemon TCG Pocket features an addictive gameplay loop that lets you take on AI or other players. The TCG Pocket battle system is the simplified version of Pokemon TCG and only requires you to score three points. This simpler and easier barrier to entry allows more players to jump in and master the system. 

Free To Play

One of the biggest reasons for Pokemon TCG Pocket’s success is its free-to-play nature. All you need is a phone, something that most people with access to the internet have. With your phone in hand, you can simply download the app and jump right into the action.

Sure, the game does feature microtransaction elements, but they are not a necessity. The game can be enjoyed as it is without a single penny spent. Compare this to other Pokemon titles, where you need a console to play and then another $60 to buy the game; it makes sense that fans gravitate towards TCG Pocket.


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