Pokemon TCG Pocket Backlash Prompts Trading Feature Improvements

Following significant player feedback, DeNA, the developers behind Pokemon TCG Pocket, have committed to revamping the game’s trading feature. This response comes after a wave of criticism regarding the system's limitations and costs. Let's delve into why players expressed their concerns and what changes might be on the horizon.

Pokemon TCG Pocket Players’ Complaints About the Game’s Latest Update

TCG Pocket’s Trade Tokens are Quite Expensive to Obtain

Launched on January 29, 2025, the trading feature in Pokemon TCG Pocket stirred up discontent among players. While it allowed trading of 1-4 Diamonds and 1-Star rarity cards from Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs, the system's restrictions and costs left many players frustrated. DeNA took to Twitter (X) on February 1, 2025, to announce they are actively working on addressing these issues.

Currently, the trading feature is limited to 1-Star cards and requires trade tokens as currency. These tokens are obtained by sacrificing higher-rarity cards, with the process being quite costly. For example, trading a 4-Diamond card (an ex Pokemon) demands 500 tokens, yet players only receive 100 tokens for a 1-Star card and 300 for 2-Star or 3-Star cards. This system forces players to trade away valuable cards, sparking significant backlash.

DeNA justified these stringent rules as measures to prevent bot abuse and maintain a balanced and fair environment. "The item requirements and restrictions implemented for the trading feature were designed to prevent abuse from bots and other prohibited actions using multiple accounts," they stated, emphasizing the importance of preserving the core fun of collecting cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket.

While specific changes remain undisclosed, DeNA is likely examining potential exploitations to ensure a fair update.

Genetic Apex Seemingly Disappears After Space-Time Smackdown’s Release

The release of the Space-Time Smackdown booster packs on January 29, 2025, brought another concern to the forefront. Players on Reddit reported that the Genetic Apex booster packs appeared to vanish from the home screen, which now only displayed the Mythical Island and Space-Time Smackdown options.

However, the Genetic Apex packs haven't disappeared; they can be accessed through a small and easily overlooked "Select other booster packs" option at the bottom right of the pack selection screen. This design flaw led to confusion and speculation that it might be a deliberate move to encourage players to open newer packs.

Players suggested that DeNA update the home screen to clearly display all three booster pack sets to avoid further confusion. Although DeNA has yet to comment on this issue, understanding the availability of Genetic Apex packs should reassure players that they can continue collecting from the initial set.