Pokémon Trading Card Game Pockethas taken the world by storm since its release earlier this month. It has providedPokémonfans everywhere witha brand-new way to experience collecting and battling with cards. With how successful this mobile game has been in just its first few weeks, it is proof that it’s time for a certain spin-off game to finally make a resurgence after multiple decades of no new entries.
Pokémon Trading Card Gamewas a classic title released on the Game Boy Color back in 1998. It allowed players tolearn the ropes of thePokémontabletop gameand collect cards as they progressed through the narrative. CombiningTCG Pocket’s recent success with the GBC game’s currentavailability on Nintendo Switch Onlineis proof that it’s time for a newPokémon TCGgame on modern consoles.
A Familiar Story Reminiscent Of The Mainline Pokémon Games
A Familiar Narrative With A Different Way To Battle
The story ofPokémon TCGcenters around the protagonist Mark as hestrives to become the world’s greatestPokémon Trading Card GamePlayer. It is a premise that is very reminiscent of the mainlinePokémongames, as well as the classic anime, with the only difference being battling with cards instead of monsters. Instead of capturing Pokémon, however, players can collect more cards for their decks by winning battles.
How To Get Japanese Cards In Pokémon TCG Pocket
Pokemon TCG Pocket has cards available in a number of different languages, and there are a few easy ways to get a hold of Japanese and other cards.
Besides the main premise, many other elements of this game are reminiscent of the mainline titles. Much like how the protagonist in any mainline game begins their journey by selecting their starter, Mark has to choose his first TCG deck at the beginning of the game. Much likePokémon Red, Blue, & Yellow,thethree starter deck options also include Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, with each of them helping the player learn the basics ofPokémon TCG.
In his quest to become the greatestTCGplayer, Mark mustbattle and defeat eight Club Masters, the game’s equivalent of gym leaders. This is then followed up by challenging four Grand Masters, who are comparable to the Elite Four. There is even a rival that Mark will need to frequently battle named Ronald, who will prove to be a challenging obstacle for any player as they strive to be the best.
Japan’s Exclusive Pokémon TCG Sequel
A Sequel That Introduced A Familiar Evil Team
While the rest of the world only ever got to experience the firstPokémon TCGGame Boy game,there was a Japan-exclusive sequel developedcalledPokémon TCG 2: The Invasion Of Team GR. In this game, players can once again take on the role of Mark (or Mint, the new female protagonist) to stop an evil team known as Team Great Rocket, who have kidnapped many of the Club Masters to steal their Legendary cards. This concept alone is incredibly intriguing, and it is a shame that the West can’t experience it without a translated emulation.
The inclusion of Team Great Rocket is a reference to sets that had come out after the firstPokémon TCGgame, including “We Are Team Rocket” and “Team Rocket’s Ambition.”
This sequel added a bunch of new content that was not present in the original game. TCG 2addedcards and decks from multiple different sets, a bigger game world, and lots of new sprite art for the various Pokémon cards and human NPC characters. It trulytook what already made the original game great and expanded upon itto make a fantastic sequel, which in turn raises a lot of potential for what a modern iteration of the franchise could look like.
What A Pokémon TCG Sequel Game Could Be Like
A Modern TCG Game Reminiscent Of Current Mainline Titles
The first and most obvious fact is that a modernPokémon TCGvideo game would haveupdated 3D graphicsas opposed to pixel artwork. Doing so could provide the player with an opportunity to explore the game’s world, especially if it were to be made into an open world much likePokémon Scarlet & Violet. Players could have the opportunity to explore the same islands from the previous two titles, or perhaps find adventure in a completely new location, offering the opportunity for a new level of discovery.
Pokémon Legends Z-A Trailer Might Be Revealed Before Pokémon Day According To Well-Known Leaker
A new Pokémon Legends Z-A trailer could be released earlier than expected in January 2025, according to one notorious Pokémon-focused hacker.
As for the structure of the game, it could followa very similar premise as the other two entrieswhere the protagonist would need to battle eight Club Masters followed by the Grand Masters. However, like inScarlet & Violet, players could have the opportunity to challenge these club leaders in any order they choose. With such a large world to explore, there could also be an opportunity for various side quests with a higher focus on collecting or hunting down rarer cards, showing that there is more to these trading cards than simply being a way to battle.
With the vast number of cards that are available in the current tabletopPokémon TCGmeta, there area lot of possibilities for gameplay. Since the terastalization phenomenon is a fairly recent and quite popular game mechanic in the mainline series, aPokémon TCGvideo game sequel could includevarious ex and stellar Pokémon cardsto add an extra challenge in combat. It could allow players to take their physical decks and bring them into the video game, further incentivizing people to buy the game.
Switch 2 Would Be The Perfect Console ForPokémon Trading Card Game 2
The Switch 2’s Hardware Capabilities Will Prove Beneficial
With the Switch 2’s arrival currently on the horizon, any potential sequel toPokémon TCGwould likely be developed for that specific console. Sincethe Switch 2 is expected to have immense graphical and storage improvementscompared to the original, it would allowPokémon TCG 2to run smoothly and remove restrictions on what the developers can include in a massive game world. As long as Game Freak does notattempt to rush development, a sequel on the Switch 2 would be absolutely fantastic.
Considering how popular the TCG has become with both veterans and newcomers, a sequel to this classic Game Boy Color title should definitely be considered in the future. With the potential for an even bigger game world, better graphics, and utilizing the numerous cards from the current meta, there are a lot of possibilities as to what a new game could entail. Ultimately, aPokémon Trading Card Gamesequel should absolutely be made for the Switch 2.
