Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket channels the thrill of ripping open booster packs

One of the big thrills of engaging in a collectible trading card game is the joy of opening packs. You never know what you're going to pull, and many of us chase the thrill of revealing that prized Charizard.

With Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, The Pokemon Company is looking to capture that moment and deliver it digitally through a new app.

Today, The Pokemon Company unveiled Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, a new app that "reimagines the experience of collecting Pokémon TCG cards in an innovative digital format."

It looks to offer the enjoyment and thrill of opening booster packs and collecting cards. But as someone who collects actual cards, I'm skeptical that a digital adaptation will generate that same excitement. After all, for many collectors and players out there, nothing beats that tangible card stock in your hands.

But if you've simply go the itch to rip a pack, Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket lets you do that. Not only do the cards include nostalgic illustrations, but also special visual effects unique to the app.

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket doesn't just let you collect cards, you can also battle with them. The app will feature quick battles using streamlined rules that are based on the classic Pokemon TCG battle system Specifics weren't mentioned but the trailer did briefly show a battle being played.

The simplistic, fast-paced nature of the battle has drawn comparisons to Marvel SNAP, which looked to simplify card battling mechanics and create shorter, snappier gameplay experiences.

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket will be "free-to-start", and players will be able to open two booster packs a day at no cost. I'm assuming it will cost money to open any additional packs.

There's no release date for the game, although The Pokemon Company is targeting a 2024 launch. It will be available on iOS and Android.