A new craze has broken out around Pokémon, and the credit goes to TCG Pokémon Pocket, a mobile game through which you can collect cards depicting the iconic pocket creatures and challenge other users. A game downloaded by over 60 million players within a few weeks of launch.
After Pokémon GO, it’s time for a new one fever themed pocket monsters: Pokémon Pocket TCG. Available free for iOS and Android devicesis a mobile game that combines the essence of physical Pokémon trading cards with new features designed for an accessible digital experience. About a month after its launch, which took place last October 30th, it registered 60 million downloads. Last December, however, it rightfully entered the “Best Mobile Game” category at the prestigious The Game Awards 2024 in Los Angeles.
Today the game developed by Creatures Inc. and DeNA Co. for The Pokémon Company has two expansions: Dawn of Legends, which introduced cards of creatures known to fans with unique abilities, as well as a graphic update, and Glacial Peaks, dedicated to Ice and Water types. A third expansion, Eternal Flames, is arriving in February 2025, which adds Fire and Dragon-type Pokémon cards, as well as new mechanics and rare cards highly anticipated by the fan community.
The reasons for the success of Pokémon Pocket
Pokémon Pocket manages to reinterpret compelling features in digital form of the traditional Pokémon trading card game. First of all, the “unpack” action: the game provides a limited number of envelopes every day to be opened with a movement of the finger, which is accompanied by an ad hoc sound effect. An action with a high degree of satisfaction, just as it happens in reality. From the opening onwards it is every time a surprise: Each pack contains Pokémon cards that enrich your collection, all at no additional cost. Worth mentioning is the aesthetic quality of the individual cards, whose illustrations range from vintage to more modern styles, giving rise to a true feast for the eyes. There are also some cards give you three-dimensional effectsfor a truly appreciable visual result.
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But Pokémon Pocket is not just a pleasure for the senses: the game is in fact not only linked to collecting, but, once you have created your own personalized deck with an adequate number of cards, it allows you to challenge other players. Here the most successful aspect is a streamlining of the functions compared to the traditional physical game, such as the accumulation of energy cards, allowing the title to be accessible and enjoyable by all types of players, from experts to beginners. This is possible thanks to the constant support of the development teams, who correct and improve the game with constant updates and, as seen above, expansions.
Let’s not forget that all this is linked to one of the most popular franchises in the world. It would be enough to mention the chaos generated by the Pikachu card at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to understand the extent of the pokémaniabut let’s let the data do the talking: According to a 2023 Statista report, the franchise has generated overall revenues in excess of $100 billion since its launch in 1996. Additionally, as reported by Matt Alt in the book Pop. How Japanese culture conquered the world, the Pokémon brand is today among the most influential in the entertainment sector together with immortal cornerstones such as Hello Kitty. Data that clearly reflects the enormous economic and cultural impact of the Pokémon brand on a global level.
