Pokemon TCG Pocket developers DeNA have committed to making changes to the game's trading feature following significant player backlash. Here's a detailed look at the issues players have raised and the developer's response.
Pokemon TCG Pocket Players’ Complaints About the Game’s Latest Update
The trading feature, introduced in Pokemon TCG Pocket on January 29, 2025, has stirred considerable discontent among players, prompting DeNA to pledge future enhancements in a Twitter (X) post dated February 1, 2025. This feature enables trading of 1-4 Diamonds and 1-Star rarity cards from the Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs. While it was a welcome addition for those aiming to complete their Poke Dex, the system's limitations, including a restricted card selection, a new in-game currency, and high trading costs, have left many players dissatisfied.
In response to the feedback, DeNA announced they are "actively investigating ways to improve the feature to address these concerns." They plan to introduce "multiple ways to obtain trade tokens, including through event distributions." At present, players can only trade up to 1-Star cards. Trade tokens, essential for using the trade feature, can only be acquired by sacrificing higher rarity cards. For example, trading a 4-Diamond card (an ex Pokemon) requires 500 tokens, yet players only gain 100 tokens for a 1-Star card and 300 for 2-Star and 3-Star cards, which forces them to sacrifice rare or multiple cards to engage in trades.
DeNA justified the stringent rules and restrictions, explaining that "the item requirements and restrictions implemented for the trading feature were designed to prevent abuse from bots and other prohibited actions using multiple accounts." Their aim is to "balance the game while maintaining a fair environment for all players and preserving the fun of collecting cards that is core to the Pokemon TCG Pocket experience." While other planned changes remain undisclosed, it's likely DeNA is assessing ways to curb potential cheating or exploitation before rolling out any updates.
Genetic Apex Seemingly Disappears After Space-Time Smackdown’s Release
Another issue surfaced with the release of the Space-Time Smackdown booster packs on January 29, 2025. Some players expressed concern on Reddit that the Genetic Apex booster packs had vanished from the home screen, which now only displayed the Mythical Island and Space-Time Smackdown packs. However, this is not the case; players can access the Genetic Apex packs by navigating to the "Select other booster packs" option at the bottom right corner of the pack selection screen. The small text size may have contributed to the confusion, leading some to believe the game's first booster pack was no longer available.
While some attribute this to poor design, others speculate it was a deliberate move to encourage players to open the newly released packs. Although this could be a marketing strategy, it overlooks players who have yet to complete their collections from the initial booster pack. Suggestions have been made for DeNA to update the home screen to display all three booster pack sets to prevent further confusion. Although DeNA has not yet addressed this issue, this clarification should reassure players that they can still work on completing their Genetic Apex collections.
