Pokémon TCG Pocket's release date for its soft launch has just been confirmed! Leading up to its worldwide official release on October 30, previews of Pokémon TCG Pocket's gameplay begin to crop up.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Confirms NZ Soft Launch
Pokémon TCG Pocket Early Access on September 26 for New Zealand
Starting September 26, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. PT / 9:00 a.m. ET, Pokemon TCG Pocket will be rolling out first in New Zealand (NZ). For the rest of the trainers around the globe, the game releases worldwide on October 30. For those interested in trying out Pokémon TCG Pocket ahead of the official release, we suggest updating your mobile application store's location setting to New Zealand to enable you to download the game on the soft launch day.
Pokémon TCG Pocket pre-registrations are available for iOS and Android devices and their corresponding App Store and Google Play Store. The game is free-to-play upon release! For more information on how to pre-register Pokémon TCG Pocket, check out our Pokémon TCG Pocket Preregister and Preorder guide below!
Pokémon TCG Pocket Gameplay Preview
Collecting Mechanics
Leading up to Pokémon TCG Pocket's worldwide official release, previews of its gameplay have begun to crop up. TCGP Pocket trainers will be able to collect numerous digital Pokémon cards that they can use to trade, battle, or even simply admire. Today, Pokémon TCG Pocket released an introductory gameplay trailer showing how to obtain cards, and how card packs are opened and stored in your phone.
To obtain cards, you need to simply choose and open a digital Booster card pack that you like. 2 Booster Packs are available to be opened daily and cost absolutely nothing, with each pack offering 5 cards. However, there's a catch—you'd need to build up Pack Stamina to open packs, which can take up to 12 hours to fill. And this is where microtransactions in Pokémon TCG Pocket come in handy—you can spend money to speed up the waiting process.
You begin with the first set of cards called the Genetic Apex, which includes over 200 cards of various Rarity. In Pokémon TGC Pocket, the rarity of the cards are ranked by either: 1 to 4 diamonds or 1 to 3 stars, depending on the card type. According to hands-on reports, there are no guarantees of obtaining a card of a certain rarity. Additionally, chances are small if you're looking to land on a Rare card pack.
Each booster pack will contain different sets of cards assigned to it. Each card pack contains certain sets of Pokémon that will only be available in that certain pack. Apart from opening card packs, you can exchange Pack Points, which can be earned as you use Pack Stamina, to get more cards. Moreover, you will also be able to obtain 1 card from packs that other Trainers have opened. With the "Wonder Pick" feature, you will choose from a group of random cards that are shuffled face down—pick one and it will go straight to your collection.
It's worth noting that certain Pokémon can have more than one version of card illustrations. Some cards also have a holographic 3D effect which can pop out as you move your phone around. Pokémon TCG Pocket also introduces Immersive Cards that, once activated by tapping and holding on the card, walk you through inside an illustrated world based on its design.
Over onto the battle mechanics, trainers are to use 20-card decks with only 1 active Pokemon allowed. Each game is set to a 5-minute time limit, and you will need to accumulate 3 points to win. For more on general gameplay, check out our Pokémon TCG Pocket Gameplay and Story Info article at the link below!
Source:
Serebii: Pokémon TCG Pocket - Preview - Exclusive First Look
Eurogamer: Pokémon TCG Pocket's focus is on pack opening, but there's a promising version of the card game underneath
