Gotta collect ‘em all.
(You know the ones which now go for hundreds of pounds on eBay?)
It was a gift from my Dad and fully defied my Mum’s ‘No Pokemon cards’ rule.
Unfortunately for us both, she was right.
Back then, my whole existence revolved around what treasures each Blastoise-decorated packet held.
As soon as I ripped open that first packet, I was hooked.
And yes, collecting trading cards is an expensive hobby.
(These days, I focus primarily on collecting promo cards.
I may never own property, but I will own a Black Star Venusaur eventually.)
It begins with selecting the design you wish the booster packs to have.
Want to avoid this by speeding up the process?
Well, there’s an item which will do just that.
TCG Pocket’s developers have succeeded in recreating the experience of opening a physical booster pack.
Just like how you might have done as a child!
The rarest card is, of course, the last one to be revealed.
You’ll earn Pack Points every time you use Pack Stamina, which can be exchanged for specific cards.
Still, Genetic Apex has enough cards to keep you busy, including powerful EX varieties and shinies.
TCG Pocket’s treasures, however, are the immersive cards.
While it hasn’t been confirmed, the setting looks a lot like Viridian Forest.
Mewtwo’s immersive card, meanwhile, appears to show its escape from the lab where it was created.
This extended artwork definitely makes these cards worth collecting, if you’re lucky enough to find them.
These cards are digital.
Don’t worry, though - TCG Pocket rewards you for completing card collections.
TCG Pocket allows you to play the card game with both friends and randomly-selected opponents.
There’s one inescapable truth about TCG Pocket though - it is free-to-play, and it wants your money.
We’re talking card folders, playmats and coins.
Yes, you’re free to buy a special virtual coin to flip during your TCG Pocket matches.
Instead, we simply have to hope the ones in TCG Pocket don’t become too egregious.
Microtransactions aside, TCG Pocket is shaping up to be a strong recreation of the Pokemon Trading Card Game.
Missions and limited-time events also offer another reason to play daily outside of opening packs.
