Pokemon has always been bigger than video games. Since the mid-1990s, Pikachu and friends have dominated everything from anime to McDonald's Happy Meal toys. Now, Pokemon TCG Pocket modernizes another Pokemon pillar. This free Android and iOS game digitally recreates the Pokemon trading card game so you can catch 'em all on your phone. Although Pokemon TCG Pocket isn't our favorite take on adorable monster battles, it's a snazzy way to admire virtual pocket monsters.

Collecting Digital Pokemon Cards

Don’t confuse Pokemon TCG Pocket with Pokemon TCG Live, the previous and now outdated Pokemon card game mobile app. Pokemon TCG Pocket is a new start for your card collection, and the collecting element is the app’s strongest attribute. Pokemon TCG Pocket recognizes that the unpredictable physical act of discovering new Pokemon cards—the tension, anticipation, and release—is a vital gameplay component. It must be preserved as best as possible, even in virtual form.

(Credit: The Pokemon Company/PCMag)

TCG Pocket gifts your first card pack. You start by browsing shiny foil Genetic Apex booster packs, the app’s inaugural card set. From there, you use your handset's touch screen to rip open the pack and flip through the fresh rewards. That tactile pleasure, combined with flashing lights and sound effects, never grows old. You obtain new packs by patiently waiting for your stamina to refill or spending money, which we'll explain later.

The cards are attractive. You manipulate the basic cards and EX cards (more powerful variants with bolder visual designs) in 3D space to admire their high-res artwork. When you get new cards, watch as the new monsters from across generations fill out your Pokedex registry. There are roughly 300 cards, including Bulbasaur, Sizzlipede, and Zapdos. We expect more to be added over time.

Pokemon TCG Pocket also acknowledges the genre's huge social component. The efficient, Pokemon Go-esque interface makes it simple to interact with other players in various ways. You can display your cards in a binder or use Wonder Pick to gain a copy of a random card from a stranger. A trading feature is coming soon, but you can look at decks in the Community Showcase, including your friends' collections, if you have their account IDs.

(Credit: The Pokemon Company/PCMag)

Dull Pokemon Battles

Pokemon TCG Pocket emphasizes its collection mechanic but leans into the competitive aspect. This is where the app begins to lose its appeal. The tutorials do a good job of teaching you a streamlined digital version of the real-world game. You battle with your main Pokemon while others stay on the bench. Each turn, you draw new cards and gain energy to pull off attacks or tactical retreats. Knock out three of your opponent’s monsters to take the win.

Strategic options include knowing type advantages, evolving Pokemon into stronger forms, and playing support cards with special properties. You can rent starter decks or customize your own. In a nice touch, you can practice against offline opponents before trying your luck in the online multiplayer mode.

Even when thinking strategically, I grew bored when battles devolved into monsters repeatedly hitting each other for several turns. The layout is also not especially smooth for fast, one-handed phone use. 

(Credit: The Pokemon Company/PCMag)

Other modern mobile card games do a much better job of making their battles more creative and entertaining, like the dramatic combo potential in Hearthstone and Marvel Snap. When it comes to Pokemon, I had a better time battling in the Nintendo Switch RPGs Scarlet and Violet.

Premium Perks

Unsurprisingly, Pokemon TCG Pocket is a free game with in-app purchases. It has various currencies to give you a boost when building a collection. Opening new booster packs requires stamina, and waiting one day builds up enough stamina for one pack. However, spending an hourglass boosts your stamina and shortens the wait time. Playing matches, collecting cards, and completing daily missions earn pack points you can exchange for specific cards.

In addition, you can purchase gold bundles with real money to trade for these currencies, starting at $1 for five gold pieces. Or you can subscribe to the Premium Pass ($9.99 per month) to gain ongoing perks like premium missions and extra packs.

(Credit: The Pokemon Company/PCMag)

When you think about it, trading card games may have originated this lucrative and arguably exploitive economic model. So, in a way, the free-to-play mechanics feel appropriate here. However, there’s a difference between paying for a real Pokemon card you can hold in your hand versus a hollow image on your phone.

Verdict: Cooler for Collecting Than Battling

Pokemon TCG Pocket is a fun way to explore Pokemon card collecting without filling your house with binders and boxes. Free booster packs and online social features leverage the digital jump. While the battles aren’t as engrossing as the collecting, they give the overall experience more substance. Pokemon TCG Pocket lives up to its mobile Pokemon card game promises—just don’t drain your wallet trying to collect 'em all.

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