#SoITriedIt: My Experience with Pokémon TCG Pocket

I’ll admit, I wasn’t initially drawn to the idea of playing a digital version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. However, after my YouTube algorithm bombarded me with card-opening videos, curiosity got the better of me. 

Author Note: This article is an opinion piece sharing personal experiences. The game is currently in its early stages, so some things may not apply moving forward. 

So, I decided to try Pokémon TCG Pocket, and to my surprise, it rekindled my childhood love for collecting Pokémon cards and introduced me to the game's strategic depth.

Rediscovering the game

From Pokemon TCG Pocket Android Store

As a kid, I weirdly collected Pokémon cards without ever learning how to play the actual game. I think I had around two shoeboxes worth of them—and I do apologize, but I failed to keep them in good condition.

Pokémon TCG Pocket changed that by providing a platform that taught me the rules and strategies. The game simplifies the traditional mechanics, making it accessible for newcomers while retaining enough complexity to keep things interesting. With 20-card decks of any desired element, players can customize their preferred deck. 

The vanishing wheezing 

From Pokémon TCG Pocket / Screenshot Courtesy Louigi Balao

Among the various decks available, the Koga deck quickly became my favorite. Centered around Poison-type Pokémon like Weezing and Muk, this deck excels in whittling down your enemy’s Pokémon through Weezing’s active ability. When combined with Koga’s trainer skill, players can bring Weezing or Muk back into their hands, fully healing them. 

It may just be me, but I find this strategy funny because I also use Pigeot to swap their Pokemon back into the active slot. 

Give it a go

Even if battling isn’t your primary interest, Pokémon TCG Pocket caters to the collector in all of us. The game allows you to open two booster packs daily at no cost, featuring nostalgic artwork from past cards and new designs exclusive to the game. Okay, to address the elephant in the room, you can spend money to unlock more packs, but it is not necessary. 

From Pokémon Official GIPHY

Pokémon TCG Pocket strikes a great balance between accessibility and depth. Its simplified mechanics make it easy for newcomers to grasp, while the variety of decks and strategies offer depth for seasoned players. The game’s design encourages both collecting and battling, providing a well-rounded experience that appeals to different types of players.

Now, it just needs more updates. I breezed through the Lapras event and finished up the 50 battles required for a badge, but I do need content to keep me going. The game is available on iOS and Android but consumes a handful of resources. If your phone is slowing down, it may be time to get a new upgrade. Needing a budget goodie? Check out the Infinix ZERO 30, which offers a MediaTek Dimensity 8020 5G Processor and a nifty 108MP camera.