Pokémon cards has re-entered my life in a major way, leaving my wallet in a sorry state. As a thirty-something year old adult, I had to ask myself: how did I get here? Enter: children. With a son who got sucked into the Pokémon craze, it reignited my nostalgia for the franchise. Every time he wanted cards, I would buy packs for him…and myself. As you can imagine, the cost added up quickly. Right as my budget hit its breaking point, the Pokémon Company, Creatures, and :DeNa, released Pokémon TCG Pocket, and it saved the day.

I understand that a major contribution to this personal financial crisis was my own lack of self-control, and I assure you I accepted the fact I lacked self-discipline. But like with anything else, self-discipline can be hard with a child who likes the things you like–and this isn’t just with video games. Have you ever gotten an extra piece of chocolate or bite of dessert because your child wanted one and couldn’t finish it? Perhaps your child took interest in a sport or band that you enjoy, and you splurge on tickets to take you and them to a game or concert. It’s all part of the fun and bonding experience, and I wouldn’t take it back for anything; however, I didn’t realize how bad my spending was until I tracked it in a budget book.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game has been dropping booster packs at a slightly higher rate now than in the late nineties and early 2000s; however, I feel that my perception as a child has an influence on that too. For example, two sets were released in 1999, and four sets were released in 2004, 2005, and 2006 each. There were six booster sets in 2021, 2023, and 2025. Is that a significant difference? Perhaps not “statistically significant” as we say in the scientific community. The perception as a child influenced me because I could not control what I saw or could purchase. As an adult with the internet and my own disposable income, I am more likely to see every announcement and less obstacles to buy them. In addition to that, the concept of ripping packs to resell rare cards are huge now. The “Gotta Catch ’em All” motto has taken on a new meaning for adult collectors.

For example, one of the most iconic cards that sells for a crazy amount is the “Moonbreon”, or an Umbreon Vmax from the Evolving Skies set:

I started chasing these rare cards, and purchasing booster sets or Elite Trainer Boxes has set me back hundreds of dollars for a couple years. I did strike gold with a Giratina V (alternate full art) and Lugia V (alternate full art) and sold them for a pretty penny; however, the story kept repeating itself, and trust me, I spent more than I made with resales.

Now, enter Pokémon TCG Pocket. This mobile game released October 2024, and it holds a similar concept to the cards in real life. You can rip up to two packs a day and collect, battle, or even trade. There have been several booster packs released since then: Genetic Apex, Mythical Island, Space-Time Smackdown, and Triumphant Light. Each set contains rare and ultra-rare cards with animations. The ability to rip packs and seek new and rare cards satisfied the itch I’ve been scratching for years at the expense of my bank account.

I was skeptical at first, sure. Digital can never replace physical for me. The same applies with video games–I have a tendency to collect physical copies over digital. However, the more I played Pokémon TCG Pocket, the less I thought about going to the local general store to buy the latest ETB or booster pack. In fact, the last time I dropped cash for physical Pokémon cards was during the release for Prismatic Evolutions because it focused on the Eevee evolutions, and those were my favorite to collect.

Pokémon TCG Pocket doesn’t cost a thing to play. So, I am able to collect cards–albeit digital ones–without opening my wallet. There are options to pay to open more cards and receive other perks; however, two free packs a day keeps my collecting addiction at bay. I feel the line between free and “pay to win” is a fair one, one that doesn’t tempt me at all.

This leads me to wonder how everyone else in the community responded to Pokémon TCG Pocket. I am inclined to believe that true card collectors have and will continue to purchase physical cards, but perhaps the less hard-core ones are feeling a little financial relief. This simple mobile game allows me the dopamine rush of chasing rare cards without dealing with a high credit card bill and shelf space. I don’t need to worry about storing thousands of cards anymore. Suffice it to say, both me and my wallet are grateful for Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Has anyone found a change in purchasing habits after downloading Pokemon TCG Pocket? Do you still seek out the physical booster packs at the same rate? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.

Pow Block Podcast – A Nintendo Podcast by Boss Rush

Nintendo Pow Block is the weekly Nintendo Podcast for Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network. Each week, Edward Varnell and Corey Dirrig, as well as their friends from around the internet dive into the week that was in the world of Nintendo, including news, rumors, new games, discuss weekly pickups, and fan favorite segments like Question Block where they answer community questions, what they’ve been playing in Playing with Power, and their latest food quests in Snacktendo! New episodes every Monday on YouTube and podcast services.

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Featured Image Source: Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket