Pokémon Trading Card Game

Pokémania has come in waves in our home. My children collected the cards early, gave most of them away, and then collected again in several more cycles as their waning interest revived with peer enthusiasm. Before they encountered the Wizards of the Coast card game, they had played Magic and other similar games, so picked up this new one readily.

Of all the Pokémon console games to date, Pokémon Red and Blue versions held their interest for the longest time (several months of unrelenting play), though Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Yellow were also popular. I assumed that we would have a break until the Gold and Silver versions were released, but then my son acquired the Pokémon Trading Card Game for his 10th birthday. It was a big hit!

The game is set on an island with 8 clubs. Players build sets of cards, with the objective of defeating 4 Grand Masters. They start with a tutorial using a Practice deck, and then build their own decks with Dr. Mason's help. There is also a detailed online Tutorial with step by step instructions.

Players duel Club Masters to win Master medals. There are conditions to be satisfied before going against a Master. For example, Mitch will only consent to a duel if the player locates and beats all his pupils first. Winning a duel gains the player 2 booster packs of cards - Imakuni gives 4 and is easy to beat.

Players can also go to the Challenge Hall to duel 3 opponents and win special cards like Mew level 8 or a Flying Pikachu. Cards can be traded with other people encountered in the game, or with friends using the Gameboy's infrared communications port. Duels can be held with friends using a game link cable. Once all the Master medals are won, the player goes against the Grand Master to win the legendary Pokémon cards, and then duels a rival called Ronald.

There are similarities to the Pokémon Red and Blue games, in that different types of pocket monsters are combined in both (in teams for Red and Blue, and in decks for the Trading Card Game) to battle or duel opponents. However, in the Trading Card game, there is more choice, with 60 cards in a deck rather than 6 Pokémon in a team, and of course the ability to build and save multiple decks.

All of this begs the question, why not simply play the card game (which of course this parent asked when begged to make the birthday purchase). After a week or so of observation of play, my conclusion is that the kids get all the pleasure of the original card game, along with the instant gratification of winning rare cards and building superior decks. This is immensely popular after a year or more of slow collecting one booster pack at a time.

My son has beaten the Grand Master and still enjoys playing the game. Although he can only carry 4 virtual decks at a time, the game gives the ability to build and save up to 60 (he has only 20 to date), and he can always go back to the Challenge Hall to gain more special cards.

So if your kids have been Pokémon collectors and have enjoyed playing the card game, try the console version. The Pokémon Trading Card Game is sure to be appreciated and to provide many hours of play time, individually or in duels with their friends!