Pokemon TCG Pocket Could Do a Lot with One Marvel Snap Feature

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As someone who has spent countless hours shuffling through Pokemon cards and dueling friends since the 90s, I must say that Pokemon TCG Pocket is a welcome addition to my mobile gaming collection. However, as much as I love this game, it could learn a thing or two from its older counterpart, Marvel Snap.

Players have already begun to gravitate to Pokemon TCG Pocket as it brings the classic cards to mobile platforms. The game has received praise so far, but Pokemon TCG Pocket might want to look towards other mobile card games for advice on how to grow.

It’s almost inevitable that, being two mobile card games, Pokemon TCG Pocket and Marvel Snap would exhibit some common traits, given that Marvel Snap was launched in October 2020, making it about 2 years older than Pokemon TCG Pocket. Since then, Marvel Snap has risen to become one of the most played mobile card games, setting a path for others to follow. Although the original physical Pokemon Trading Card Game predates modern mobile devices, Pokemon TCG Pocket is a distinct game in its own right. However, transitioning that game to a new platform does present some challenges, and Marvel Snap’s success might offer valuable insights in one key aspect.

Mobile Gaming is a Different Beast

Pokemon, being a titan in the gaming world with widespread cultural recognition, might appear unlikely to require assistance. However, despite its numerous adaptations from video games to trading cards, television shows, movies, and countless imitators, even mobile devices haven’t been fully explored with Pokemon Go. A mobile Trading Card Game (TCG) is a distinct genre compared to other mobile or physical card games. The debut of Pokemon TCG Pocket has started smoothly, but there are key features yet to be implemented, such as the trading mechanism, and only one card set is currently available, which could potentially hinder its growth as the game evolves.

TCG Pocket can look to Marvel Snap for Help

The popular mobile game, Marvel Snap, boasts a dedicated fanbase, attracting enthusiasts of the comic books and films into the trading card game genre. Over its 2-year lifespan, the game has expanded and consistently provided new content on a seasonal basis. Despite significant differences in gameplay between Marvel Snap and the Pokemon TCG, it appears that the Pokemon TCG Pocket has been impacted by Marvel Snap. The flair system in Pocket TCG bears a striking resemblance to the upgrade system in Marvel Snap. While DeNA, the developer of Pocket TCG, hasn’t acknowledged any inspiration, there could be a connection between the two. As Pokemon TCG Pocket plans to introduce more card expansions, it might consider adopting the seasonal format that has proven successful with Marvel Snap.

Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Inevitable Expansion

A card game is nothing without a variety of cards to collect, trade, and battle with, and as games grow, they must expand with new cards. Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Genetic Apex card set includes 226 cards, not a small number by any means, but only a fraction of the over 1,000 Pokemon. At some point in the game’s future, expansion packs must be added. When it came time for Marvel Snap to add more cards, it introduced a monthly season system. Each month sees a new season for Marvel Snap, each one coming with new events, challenges, and cards based on new Marvel heroes and teams. With Pokemon’s massive history, it’s in a perfect position to do the same. Just like the physical TCG, new card sets can be added at any time, and might be themed around a particular gimmick, region, or game. In this way, Pokemon TCG Pocket can freely expand alongside the physical TCG and other Pokemon games.

In terms of adding new card expansions, Pokemon TCG Pocket could consider adopting a seasonal format similar to that of Marvel Snap.

The delight in unwrapping fresh card packs, the anticipation of combat, and the determination to amass a comprehensive collection make Pokemon TCG Pocket an enticing game choice. Players are likely to revisit it frequently, striving for stronger packs and continuing battles as long as new cards are available. In essence, if Pokemon TCG Pocket continues its current trajectory by expanding thoughtfully, it could become a standard in mobile card gaming.

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2024-11-07 02:53