How Pokémon TCG Pocket Rekindled My Passion for Competitive Card Games (and Late-Night Phone Rants)

My relationship with Pokemon TCG Pocket is a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s a mix of admiration and frustration that marks it as my top mobile game of the year. The game brilliantly captures the essence of the physical trading card game and transforms it into an irresistibly charming digital collectible adventure. Yet, it also awakens a part of me that I assumed had vanished with my youthful days—a side filled with seething annoyance at random players across the globe.

Playing Pokemon TCG Pocket has become a nocturnal ritual, keeping me up until the wee hours, something I used to find more appealing when I was younger. It’s the kind of game that lingers on my mind even as I try to fall asleep, only to resurface with the sunrise. Each morning, as I sip my coffee, my thoughts inevitably drift back to those infuriating Mewtwo EX decks and the players who seemingly coast through victories thanks to them. Paradoxically, this level of emotional engagement is what you’d expect from a truly exceptional game.

A while back, we discussed the game’s lack of a competitive ranked mode, a feature that could really test your mettle against fellow trainers globally. Since then, they’ve introduced features that, while not exactly what we envisioned, certainly get the competitive spirit roaring. It started with a simple PvP mode that awarded players for victories. More recently, a mode focused on consecutive wins took center stage, quickly ensnaring my interest.

This latest mode perfectly showcases the highs and lows of the current meta, pushing players to craft the ultimate deck before a fresh wave of cards shakes things up again. It’s like a tribute to the original winners of the game’s early days—the relentless Charizard EX deck, the notorious Mewtwo EX deck, and the wicked Starmie/Articuno EX plus Misty deck combo. As I pen this, a new basic PvP event has launched alongside the Mythical Island pack, bringing back these formidable foes, along with the Deck of the Month: Celebi EX, to torment players once more.

The developers genuinely deserve all the accolades coming their way. Sure, the Pokemon brand carries its own weight in popularity, but they’ve crafted a game that appeals across skill levels. They sprinkle in events that keep even the most dedicated aficionados engaged, ensuring the thrill of opening new packs never wanes. It’s utterly addictive.

With new cards on the horizon, I must admit this game has a firm grip on me. I tried the premium pass free trial when it first appeared—a brilliant move on their part—and I don’t foresee unsubscribing any time soon. To me, it’s money well spent. After all, how else am I going to build the decks that let me tackle top-tier opponents in the dead of night?