From Physical Packs to Digital Pockets: Why Pokémon TCG Pocket Isn’t Safe From the Game’s Biggest Menace

The highly-anticipated mobile game, Pokémon TCG Pocket, has been a massive success since its launch in October 2024. The game, which was developed by Creatures Inc. and DeNA Co., has captivated a global audience with its streamlined gameplay, beautiful card animations, and a business model that, on the surface, appears to be a major improvement over the physical trading card game. However, despite its digital nature, the game is not yet safe from the single biggest menace that has plagued the physical TCG for years: scarcity and its enabler, the scalper. This is a critical piece of Pokémon news that every player and collector needs to be aware of.

For years, the physical Pokémon TCG has been a battleground of supply and demand. The massive surge in popularity, driven by collectors, content creators, and the nostalgic appeal of the franchise, led to a number of major supply shortages. The result was a rampant scalping problem, where individuals would buy out entire stores’ worth of product, only to resell it online at a massive markup. This left many genuine collectors, parents, and players unable to find products at a reasonable price, which in turn soured the experience for many and hurt the community. The rise of a digital, free-to-play game like Pokémon TCG Pocket was seen as a way to circumvent this issue. After all, in a digital space, supply is infinite. But as the game has progressed, it has become clear that the “scarcity” problem has simply been rebranded and refocused on digital assets.

The Digital Scarcity Problem in Pokémon TCG Pocket

The free-to-play model of Pokémon TCG Pocket is built on a number of key monetization systems, including “Pack Stamina,” “Wonder Picks,” and a premium currency. While the game does give you a number of free packs every day, the real problem is in the scarcity of the most valuable cards. The rarest and most sought-after cards in the game, the “Immersive Cards” with their unique animations and the “Pokémon ex” cards, have a significantly lower pull rate. This has led to a digital market where the most powerful and desirable cards are only available to those who are lucky or willing to spend a significant amount of money.

The “Wonder Pick” feature, which allows you to get cards from packs that other players have opened, was seen as a solution to this problem. However, it is a system that is built on the same principle of scarcity. You can only “Wonder Pick” a limited number of cards each day, and the rarest cards are even harder to get this way. The game’s developers have also faced criticism for its monetization practices, which have been described by some as “predatory” and “downright greedy.” A report from IGN estimated that a player would have to spend around $1,500 to complete a single set without relying on the game’s daily free packs and other free-to-play methods. The company has also faced backlash for a “controversial” trading feature, which was poorly received by the community.

The Menace Continues

The digital scarcity in Pokémon TCG Pocket is not just a problem for a few players; it is a fundamental flaw that affects the entire game. The inability for many players to get the best and rarest cards for their decks has led to a number of “meta” problems, where a few specific cards are seen as “must-haves” for a competitive deck. This has led to a “pay-to-win” feel, where players who are willing to spend the most money are the ones who are most likely to have the best decks. The game’s forums are already filled with discussions about the best decks, and many of them require a number of ultra-rare cards that are difficult to get without spending a significant amount of money. This is the same problem that has plagued the physical TCG for years, and it is a problem that has simply been transferred to a digital space.

The hope for Pokémon TCG Pocket was that it would be a game that was accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. However, the game’s monetization model, with its emphasis on digital scarcity and its focus on a “pay-to-win” meta, has made it clear that the game is not yet safe from the biggest menace that has plagued the TCG for years. It is a game that is built on the same principles of a free-to-play gacha game, and while it is a fun and visually stunning game, it is not a solution to the underlying problems of the franchise. It is a reminder that in the world of Pokémon, the menace of scarcity is a beast that cannot be easily tamed, and it is a beast that has simply been re-skinned and unleashed in a new, digital world.