The release date for this game is another step in the development of the Pokémon Trading Card Game tradition.

It is pretty important to know the Pokémon TCG Pocket release date, as jumping into trading card games is a time-sensitive step. The earlier you start building your deck collection and practicing your playing skills, the more in tune you are with the development of the entire community. Your multiplayer matches are more fair, as you rarely face overpowered opponents.

At the same time, Pokémon TCG Pocket is pretty generous in providing players with a good variety of cards. If you are active, you will easily obtain a set of strong EX Pokémon — even if you join the game way after the release.

Here, we reveal when Pokémon TCG Pocket was released and highlight the long tradition of this game.

The Pokémon TCG Pocket release date

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket was released on Oct. 30, 2024. The platforms for the game are iOS and Android — but you can still play Pokémon TCG Pocket on PC (if you know how).

Why is the release date for a TCG important?

There are two factors that make the release dates of all trading card games such a crucial factor.

  • The number of cards grows inevitably. The earlier you start playing, the bigger your collection is. This affects your power and success in multiplayer matches.
  • The skills of active players become phenomenal. Every trading card game has lots of tricks, and the players learn them all to build their skill set and in-match strategies.

How important is the release date specifically for Pokémon TCG Pocket?

On the one hand, the game follows the same pattern as other TCGs: Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, Hearthstone, Legends of Runeterra, etc. People who start playing earlier have some pretty tangible advantages.

On the other hand, though, we are talking about a Pokémon game, and it has a couple of specific features that make Pokémon TCG Pocket accessible even at later stages of its life span.

  • If you played other Pokémon games (classic RPGs or Pokémon Go) or watched the anime, you just know the creatures and have a general understanding of the cards. The variety of form evolutions and types is not new to you. You have the idea behind this franchise, and you can grasp the gameplay mechanics of Pokémon TCG Pocket easily.
Building a card collection in Pokémon TCG Pocket (image via esports.gg)
Building a card collection in Pokémon TCG Pocket (image via esports.gg)
  • The Pokémon Trading Card Game tradition is not new at all. The mobile version is based on the physical game and the previous video game. The tradition lives long, and it remains accessible throughout the years.

The tradition of Pokémon Trading Card Game

The very first trading card game with Pokémon was released in Oct. 1996. It’s a physical game, and you need to buy real-world booster packs to get new Pokémon and meet people to have some matches. After so many years, the game is alive, with various championships happening regularly.

A digital game was first released for the Game Boy Color console in 1998. Some other versions were created for later Nintendo platforms. 

The game got a totally new life with Pokémon TCG Online. It was an online multiplayer experience on computers and mobile devices. Later, Pokémon TCG Online transformed into a newer version: Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.

Check out our article to discover the difference between Pokémon TCG Live vs. Pocket. In a nutshell, Pocket has quicker matches, and the game is even more accessible.

The early success promises further development of the game, including new card expansions and esports competition. For all Pokémon TCG Pocket news and updates, stick around on esports.gg!