Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Needs Trading

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is one of the best surprises of this year. It is an extraordinary free mobile experience that takes the TCG based on the Pokemon series and transforms it into a bite-sized, highly stylish version. While the mobile title is quite impressive already at launch, Pokemon TCG Pocket still needs trading to be perfect.

It is a bit ironic that a card game that has the literal word “trading” in its title lacks that right now. In fact, it emphasizes the battling side of the card game more than the actual trading aspect. Fortunately, we already know that trading is coming to Pokemon TCG Pocket at some point. The questions now are when will that happen and what will it look like?

Trading has always been a key aspect of the Pokemon series, both in the mainline games and the card version. It is one of the best ways to connect players together in a multiplayer format. After all, everyone benefits from being able to trade in a mobile game like this. You might have cards I need while I might have cards that you need.

Editor’s Note: This was written prior to the announcement of trading’s release in January 2025.

Card booster packs are completely randomized. You might get a gorgeous Articuno EX card but you run a Fire-based deck, so that is useless to you. Instead, you might want a card like Charizard or Moltres EX. Trading would allow you to instantly be able to offer your Articuno EX for a card that is more suitable to your particular deck.

This feature should work in a safe manner, though. I see two ways it could work. The first would be to allow friends only to trade with one another while both are online at the same time. You could show off your cards to each other in real-time, and maybe even be able to message or react in the trade window.

This method would require some failsafes, such as multiple checks to confirm you want to trade so you aren’t scammed. This is also why it should be restricted to only friends. On the other hand, the other method I would like to see is the Pokemon TCG Pocket equivalent of the GTS. A global trading network for the mobile title would be fantastic.

People could put up cards they want to get rid of and note what card they are looking for. It would have to be rather specific, though, down to the rarities and the like. But perhaps there could also be a way to send a personalized offer to the person. Maybe you don’t have the card they want but you have a similarly valuable one. Perhaps then the person could consider the trade. However, if you have the exact card, you can initiate the trade automatically.

This would be a neat way for everyone to get the cards they need. It would also the make the game less pay-to-win, so to speak. I don’t think Pokemon TCG Pocket is in any way a pay-to-win experience. However, there is no arguing that the more money you spend on packs, the more chances you have at finding the best cards.

Adding this global trading system would let the community balance out some. Everyone would have the chance to get the cards they need and want. It would also be great in the event the title ever removes certain expansion packs, which, hopefully, does not happen.

As for when Pokemon TCG Pocket trading should release, it has to happen sooner than later. The game came out at the tail end of October 2024. That leaves roughly two months left in the year for it to release. I think it is imperative that trading comes to Pokemon TCG Pocket before the year ends. The arrival of trading would greatly reinvigorate the community and be the possible addition for the already highly successful experience.

Pokemon TCG Pocket is available right now for free for Android and iOS.