Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocketis the latest Pokemon spin-off for mobile phones, and it was released internationally on July 08, 2025. So far, the game has gotten off to a fantastic start in terms of player engagement. Just one week after its debut,Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocketwas downloaded more than 30 million times on Android and iOS, and it earned roughly $3 million in a single day. Reception to the game has largely been positive, as well. On the Google Play Store, it currently has a 4.5/5 rating, while on the App Store, it has a score of 4.8/5. Popular mobile games typically do not get user scores this high, so the fact thatPokemon TCG Pocketwas able to receive such broad acclaim is a testament to its quality.
That being said, the game is far from perfect. The title is aimed at younger audiences, butPokemon TCG Pocketis filled with microtransactionsand in-game currencies. Although the game is still an adaptation of thePTCGat its core, it almost feels like a gacha game at times due to the excessive monetization methods it employs.Pokemon TCG Pocketis also guilty of utilizing FOMO-inducing mechanics. Some of the Promo Cards in the game, for instance, are only available during certain events for a limited period of time. While this does make the cards more valuable, practices like these may end up frustrating players in the long run.
The Limited Availability of the Promo Cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket Can Induce FOMO
Promo Cards Can Only Be Obtained Through Special Means
In the physicalPokemon Trading Card Game, promotional cards (also referred to as promos) are not included in booster packs, but instead, they are available in special products like elite trainer boxes, tins, and premium collections. Some of them can also be obtained exclusively during tournaments, giveaways, contests, and other real-world promotional events. ThePromo Cards inPokemon TCG Pocketmay not be physical, but they are obtainable in a similar manner. While select cards are available for purchase in-game, others can be acquired in missions, promo packs, drop events, and Wonder Pick Events, among other things.
There are currently 24 Promo Cards inPokemon TCG Pocket, but only eight of them can be bought outright. The rest are exclusively obtainable in time-limited events. For example, players can receive Chansey (Promo-A 11) and Meowth (Promo A-12) through theWonder Pick mechanicfrom November 1-15, 2024. When this event eventually expires, these Chansey and Meowth Promo Cards will become entirely unobtainable, thus making them artificially scarce.
Pokemon GO is Also Guilty of Locking Content Behind Time-Limited Events
This isn’t the first time aPokemonmobile game has taken advantage of players' FOMO. The massively successfulPokemon GO, for instance, has gained notoriety for locking certain Pokemon variants, costumes, and items behind time-limited events that are only available in select regions around the world. At the very least, in the case of this game, most of the event-exclusive Pokemon are made obtainable again at a later date. Theseasonal content inPokemon GOdoes tend to rotate each year; however, there are often so many events going on at the same time that it’s hard to keep up.
The Pokemon Company Shouldn’t Go Overboard With the Use of FOMO in Pokemon TCG Pocket
SincePokemon TCG Pockethas only been out on the market for a few weeks, it’s not clear if the time-limited Promo Cards in the game will be available to players who missed out on them later on, like inPokemon GO. The fact that the developers haven’t said anything on the matter, though, probably suggests this won’t be the case. Either way, The Pokemon Company should try to limit the amount of event-exclusive Pokemon cards in the game to reduce FOMO. While it’s fine ifPokemon Trading Card Game Pockethas some Promo Cards that are only available for a limited period of time, having too many of them may make players feel dissatisfied.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the fun of collecting Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, an upcoming game for iOS and Android devices from Creatures Inc., the original developers of the Pokémon TCG, and DeNA Co., Ltd. In this game, you will be able to open two booster packs every day at no cost. You can collect digital cards featuring nostalgic artwork from the past as well as brand-new cards that are exclusive to Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.Be on the lookout for new “immersive cards,” which will make you feel as though you’ve leapt into the world of the card’s illustration.
