Nintendo’s commitment to smartphones has had its share of ups and downs, with games that have surprised but failed to capture an audience in the same way as its portable console, the Switch. Now, a new game arrives with a somewhat different approach, one that focuses less on the gameplay itself and more on the enjoyment of one of the company’s biggest licenses: Pokémon.
Pokémon Pocket TCG is a new game based on the trading cards of monsters known to all young people (and not so young). The presentation of the Pokémon TCG Pocket may come as a surprise, given that there is already a mobile game that uses the same cards, Pokémon Live, and it is already very popular, with more than 5 million downloads on Android and being part of the world championships as well as versions for iOS, Windows and Mac.
This is where the difference lies with this new app. Pokémon Pocket does not focus so much on the competitive aspect of the cards, but rather in his collection; In other words, it’s a calmer experience, without the pressure of having to create a deck and complex strategies capable of beating anyone.
Although there is the possibility of organizing battles with the cards we receive, They are more “casual” and fast. and do not require advanced knowledge of the rules; they are therefore more like the games we used to play with our friends in the schoolyard. Veterans will also remember the Pokémon card game on Game Boy Color, which was the entry point for many players into the hobby.
Nostalgia seems to be Pokémon Pocket’s strong point, as we have access not only to the latest cards released by The Pokémon Company, but also to the originals that were released in the 90s. The application offers the possibility to view the illustrations separately, enlarging the image to appreciate the art and all aspects of the menu. We can also see three-dimensional effects that imitate the “foil” or shiny effect of the rarest cards. Judging by the trailer, we will even be able to see the versions of different countries and appreciate their differences.
To reinforce the idea that this is an app for collecting fans, the app will offer us envelopes with free letters; Every day, just start the application twice to receive exclusive letters that are not possible to obtain otherwise. Although there are also micropayments, to buy envelopes or games with real money.
Pokémon TCG Pocket will be available from October 30and it is now possible to register on the Play Store to be among the first to receive the application on our mobile.
