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

I’ve got a serious love-hate affair going on with Pokemon TCG Pocket. This game has rocked my world this year and quickly climbed to the top of my mobile gaming list. It ingeniously captures the essence of the physical Trading Card Game and transforms it into an engaging digital collectathon. However, it’s also reignited an old fire within me, one that I thought had been extinguished by the time I turned 21. Suddenly, I find myself grappling with a seething frustration towards anonymous players across the globe.

Pokemon TCG Pocket has the uncanny ability to keep me wide awake at 2 AM, even when staying up that late doesn’t hold the same charm it once did. I often crawl into bed feeling vexed, and somehow that lingering irritability follows me into the next day. As I savor my morning coffee, thoughts of Mewtwo EX decks and their seemingly overpowered users invade my peaceful morning routine. But here’s the kicker: the fact that this game stirs such strong emotions is actually a testament to its brilliance. Only a game that’s truly remarkable can draw you in on such an emotional level.

Interestingly, there was a time when we discussed the need for a ranked competitive mode to pit trainers against one another worldwide. While the game eventually rolled out something slightly different, it still managed to fire up the competitive spirit. Initially, there was a basic PvP mode rewarding victory, and then, a few weeks back, they introduced a mode demanding consecutive wins. This was the moment when the game truly captured me.

This new mode is a fantastic showcase of the ups and downs in the current meta. It encourages the entire community to craft top-tier decks before the introduction of new cards shuffles the deck again. It’s like a celebration of the reigning champions of version 1.0. We have the greedy Charizard EX deck, the wicked Mewtwo EX deck, and the fiendish Starmie/Articuno EX combined with the Misty deck. As of now, with the arrival of the new Mythical Island pack and a fresh PvP event, these formidable decks, along with the Deck of the Month, Celebi EX, are giving players a run for their money and more than a few headaches.

Credit where credit’s due, the developers have truly earned their success. The appeal of the Pokemon IP and card game plays a significant role, but their ability to create a game that’s captivating for players of all skill levels is commendable. By sprinkling in frequent events, they keep even the most dedicated players engaged. That’s the secret to why so many of us are still breaking open packs with zeal. The game is simply irresistible.

With new cards on the horizon, I can confidently say that this game has got me hooked. I took advantage of the premium pass free trial when it was first introduced—a smart move, by the way—and I see no reason to cancel that subscription anytime soon. In my eyes, it’s a worthy investment. After all, how else am I supposed to outsmart those top-tier decks in the wee hours before dawn?