The upcoming mobile game Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is leaving TCG fans questioning if it will replace the already existing Pokémon TCG Live. With an already existing game by The Pokémon Company where players can virtually build decks and battle online with existing and upcoming Pokémon TCG sets, it is fair to wonder why another one is being introduced. With the new TCG Pocket being a reimagining of the classic Pokémon card game, are the two games different enough from each other?
The new game is set to release on October 30, 2024, and will introduce a new place for Pokémon TCG collectors to enjoy, trade, and battle with the beloved cards. The game allows players to open 2 free card booster packs every day at no extra cost, so there is an emphasis on collection and showing off card pulls. It promises an immersive experience, with 3-dimensional card art and graphics that are more engaging than the printed cards. Even with the new app’s differences, some people may still consider whether it will take over its predecessor.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Will Not Replace TCG Live
The Two TCG Games Will Focus On Different Things
The new Pokémon TCG Pocket will not be replacing Pokémon TCG Live due to the upcoming game’s main focus on the collecting aspect. The existing Pokémon TCG Live focuses on the battles, with different game modes, redemption codes, and battle passes that stand as its purpose. The collecting and gaming scenes of the TCG go hand-in-hand but are distinct at the end of the day.
This question regarding both games is fair since, in the past, the online Pokémon TCG scene experienced a change. The previous online battle game, Pokémon TCG Online shut down back in June 2023 before it was replaced with Pokémon TCG Live. With that recent change, it is safe to assume that Live would not be forgotten so easily. Even with the new TCG Pocket promising its own deck-building and battle system, it is not set to fully outperform in those areas but will rather appeal to collectors instead.
How Pokémon TCG Pocket Is Different From TCG Live
Pocket Is All About Pokémon Card Collecting
Pokémon TCG fans of different tastes will now have their own separate dedicated games for how they wish to collect and battle their cards. For a more gameplay-focused experience, Pokémon TCG Live will still be the place for players to face fun and challenging battles.
With the new
Pokémon TCG Pocket,
those who love to collect and trade cards have a game devoted to those areas.
With the new Pokémon TCG Pocket, those who love to collect and trade cards have a game devoted to those areas. Overall, it does not appear that The Pokémon Company desires to fully replace one with the other. That could, of course, always change at a later date.
Source: Pokémon.com