This review originally went live in 2014, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy / Game Boy Color library.
It’s almost surreal nowadays to think that there was ever a time when portable gaming didn’t have Pokémon. When Red and Blue first hit Western shores in 1998, those 151 legends would bring with them a wave of merchandise, cementing the series in history as the cultural epidemic it really was. Airplanes, cars, buildings; all were infected by the Pokévirus, but none were quite so potent as the powerhouse that was the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Wizards of the Coast first brought them to the US in 1999, and the rest is school playground history. Can a Game Boy Color title truly recreate the ferocious rivalry and friendship-destroying power these physical cards held?
Hudson Soft was tasked with adapting the tabletop card game for Game Boy, bringing things right back to their roots with another RPG-style Pokémon adventure. For all intents and purposes, the main experience appears very similar to Red and Blue, as you take on the role of a budding champion who collects badges to challenge the final Elite Four, but exploration is stripped down to a bare minimum. There are no towns or routes to travel along, no Pokémon centers or item shops. You move straight from club (this game’s version of a gym) to club, collecting medals with no messing around in between. The whole appeal here is the card game itself, battling other collectors and earning booster packs to assemble the ultimate deck. It may seem limited by comparison, but it’s an extremely competent adaptation that couldn’t possibly feel any more streamlined and approachable.
Chances are, even some avid collectors at the time weren’t quite sure exactly how to play and remained perfectly content to just throw cards at each other, create their own rules, and horde the holographics like they were sacred relics. Anyone in possession of a Charizard knew it was amazing, but some probably couldn’t care less about energy cards or anything other than the fact it did 100 damage. ONE HUNDRED DAMAGE!!! Thankfully, the game provides an excellent tutorial that explains how everything works, even suggesting a few basic tactics once you’re up and running. The ability to bypass these tutorials is also a welcome feature for the real veterans, who can launch straight into the meat of the game.
You’ll start by selecting one of three different decks, each representing either Squirtle, Charmander, or Bulbasaur, and consisting of 60 different cards in total. As you progress, you can create your own deck of 60 cards entirely from scratch, with the ability to save them for use anytime. Much like the main series, Pokémon come with their own list of elemental strengths and weaknesses, and can even evolve if you draw the required card. Every time you remove an opposing monster from play you earn a prize card, and the goal is to claim each of them – usually either four or six – before your opponent to win the game. Additionally, trainer cards act as items, allowing you to heal your team or search your deck for specific cards, while energy cards are placed on your Pokémon to allow for more powerful attacks. Grass Pokémon need grass energy for example, and HP-blasting attacks like Solar Beam require as many as four.
Like many other tabletop games, it’s extremely easy to learn but can take much longer to fully master. You’re given every opportunity to improve, however, as there’s absolutely no consequence for losing; you’ll quickly amass a large enough selection of cards that entire strategies can be changed on the fly. Unfortunately, this leads to what is perhaps the game’s biggest misstep. Predictably, each of the eight club leaders base their decks around a certain element, wearing their weaknesses on their sleeves; this is also the case in the main series of course, but here it’s a lot easier to exploit. Taking on a water-loving opponent with a deck filled to the brim with electric Pokémon feels more like bullying than a tense challenge, and since you don’t need to catch and train Pokémon at all, it’s easier than ever.
Get lucky with a few booster packs and you could be opposing Squirtle with a Zapdos right from the beginning. There’s no incentive to build up a constant ‘team’ of Pokémon, so players can build custom decks just to win against specific rivals. This is an unavoidable limitation of facing predictable AI opponents of course, and some could rightfully argue that it merely rewards those who are fully aware of their deck, constantly customising to meet the task at hand. Lacking the option to play online, however, this exploit only shortens an already brief experience.
That’s not to say that the game isn’t fun, because it absolutely is. The real-life cards are recreated in-game with some nice clear visuals, and battles are made more lively by fun attack animations. Characters are surprisingly memorable, with cameos from Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara and zany musician Tomoaki Imakuni, who gives us serious Tingle vibes… Even the ‘professional’ Dr. Mason sends you some cheeky little winky faces in his emails. The lack of outdoor environments and the uninspired club designs are admittedly a disappointment, but if you’ve come for the gameplay – and you should – then there’s no shortage of duel opportunities here. You can challenge the same people multiple times, and a special area named Challenge Hall provides a nice mix of much more unpredictable opponents.
There are over 220 cards available in total, and though your enjoyment does depend somewhat on your investment in the Pokémon series as a whole, fans of the card game genre will find an enjoyable diversion here — even if their chosen rock has somehow hidden them from knowledge of the subject material.
Conclusion
The Pokémon Trading Card Game successfully shows newcomers the ropes while providing the initiated with a slick, faithful adaption of the tabletop experience. It’s all the fun with none of the clutter, and the ability to save multiple decks allows for both experimentation and control over your play style. The main story would benefit from having some more unpredictable AI opponents, but overall we’re definitely ready for a new sequel on console.
Comments 50
Can we just appreciate this game for the mere fact that it doesn't have "influencers" and whatnot trying to monetize it?
I still own my original copy, but I think once and only once I've been able to beat it. Will give it another go for sure.
I did enjoy this game a lot back in the day, so I think I'll do it again when I have some free time.
I'm surprised this didn't rate higher - one of the best games available on NSO, regardless of system
Release the missing two card pop cards!
There's elegance in simplicity. Less is more is very much a thing.
Bruh, did no one review this when it came out on the 3DS?
@Vivianeat “This review originally went live in 2014, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy / Game Boy Color library.“
I’m guessing this was the virtual console review
Such a good game it’s a shame the sequel never got released outside Japan.
I’d rather play Card Fighters Clash. I could never get into Pokemon TCG.
I need TCG online for Switch now, because I won't buy mobile. 🥺
Absolutely adore this title. With the oracle games and now this, there are some real GBC gems on the NSO.
Anyone actually played it recently? It feels a lot more sluggish and RNG heavy than I remember.
So i know what ill be playing again this weekend farming hitmonchans XD
@Nintendencies I last played it on the 3DS. I think it's best to avoid mons that do multiple coin flips for damage like Geodude it just makes the games take a lot longer for what isn't even really good damage.
@Dr_Lugae the 3ds version you couldn't transfer cards, in the Switch version you can! Can also battle locally.
Love this game. Wonderful soundtrack, and perfect for challenge runs. The game got points docked for being "too easy", but there's no reason you can't do a run where you build decks specifically to be evenly matched with your opponent, or even put yourself at a disadvantage. Monotype challenges and even single evolution lines are capable of taking this game on. Paraspectre on Youtube has done a ton of challenge runs, from using the Paras line only to an Easter special using only lines having to do with eggs. You can easily make your own difficulty here, same as any Pokemon game.
@HammerGalladeBro What influencers are doing with a game should have zero impact on whether you enjoy it.
@PokemonDMG Didn't read the review above as I wanted to get right to the comments...but is that correct that you can battle others with the Switch version??? If so, that's fantastic news, and my daughter and I (love the NSO family plan!) will get right on it, I'm sure!!
@FatWormBlowsASparky I hope it somehow gets the Star Fox 2 treatment and gets released anyway, but as Mother 3 still hasn't achieved that, I know it's not a realistic hope.
Downloaded it last year and had an absolute blast!
So how does the infrared feature work in this version?
@Bret Star Fox 2 got released later because they had it already done back in the day, but never released it. (Same for Earthbound Beginnings)
I believe if Pokemon TCG 2 were to come out nowadays, it would be more of a Fire Emblem NES treatment, where they actually do the translation recently. So don't hold your breath.
It's a fun game, but sometimes it can get abit silly if you are just super lucky with RNG and you face a tough opponent and then win superfast because they had no other Pokemon drawn from their deck from the start of the match. Happened to me multiple times and it was quite funny.
Its the best pokemon game and if you disagree then lets have a fight in the carpark after school/work.
And by fight I mean over a link cable.
I LOVE this game! I just love a game where I collect cards
Played this game so much. Definitely need to get it when I get Switch Online.
@Highlar can't test don't have a separate account but the 3ds version card pop and trade/battle didn't even get a response from it. Pressed the A button and nothing... Now the 2 ladies talk and card pop asks for infrared.
This game was really fun back in the day. I'm sad that they never made a series out of it. (Aside from one Japanese exclusive sequel, which I would have loved to have played!)
It plays like a great little time spender, perfect for NSO, made even more convenient with the NSO's rewind and suspend-point features! I'm really enjoying NSO these days.
Unfortunately, adding the TCG game first means Nintendo will probably keep R/B/G close to their chests until 2024 >_<
Ah, my first GBC game ever. I played the game so much I had an entire deck full of Zapdos cards capable of beating anyone, easily.
Loved playing this game when I was a kid. 10/10 for me.
I still wished they kept making Pokemon TCG games on consoles instead of PC.
I play this all the time on the 3DS, but now I will on the Switch.
Bopping soundtrack, streamlined Pokémon Card Gen I gameplay, main series-inspired campaign (8 gyms + elite four + rival throughout and at end).
Just wish we had gotten the Team Great Rocket sequel that Japan had gotten! Still just Gen I, but covers through the Team Rocket and Gym Leader sets!
This game is brilliant.
Never played any Pokémon until the switch.
No clue about any of it but slowly learning over time.
Not the most difficult to comprehend however all the combination of paper rock scissors and evolutions is overwhelming when ya didn’t get in from the ground floor and collect the cards.
I have been playing the intro trainer guy for the past few hours and have learned more in this time then all the other Pokémon games on the switch I’ve played.
Nintendo/Pokémon people need to remaster this game so badly. Like put every available Pokémon card in real life into that game. All can be unlocked in game and used to make decks… when new sets come out in real life…. You can get it in game too
How is this game not already made….
I have not even left the intro room and yeah…. Good stuff
My big complain is that the game doesn't warn you about the tournaments. I played through it full a few times and only remembered the tournaments were a thing after the last medal. By which time it was gone forever.
Save often and check for tournaments or Ronald all the time.
Also, Watergun based deck can basically defeat everything. IIRC nothing has resistance to Water and the damage you rack up with extra energy (especially when you have Blastoise on the bench) washes away those glass cannon Electric types as well.
I think you can battle friends online now it's on NSO - can't you?
This stil stands for me as the best Pokemon game that's not a part of the main line entries. It's so mind boggling that given the sustained high popularity of Pokemon and the actual Pokemon TCG itself they've never really done another TCG video game, besides that other follow up GBC entry in 2001, but that was Japan only. I know there's the TCG Live game on PC/ios/android whatever, but they really need to do another one for console. They don't need to reinvent the wheel, it could be essentially the same exact format as this game, just obviously with better visuals and more cards added. But even as old as this game is and how man pokemon/types are missing, it STILL is a really fun time. I love this game.
Would be nice if Nintendo Life added sections specific to the new version(s) in case there are notable differences, for example in this case the review mentions that there's no option to play online as it was about the 3DS version while that's not the case for the NSO one (thanks @PokemonDMG for mentioning the differences at least in the comments).
Anyway, it's a great game, but the Japan-only sequel is even better in practically every aspect - more cards, new locations and characters throughout a new and more original story, improved visuals and animations, female playable character etc. - so I hope that will also be eventually added to at least Japanese NSO even though the dream would be for it to be translated into even just English to let many more people fully enjoy it officially (although as @OrangeSoda even if that were the case it would most likely be released as a standalone purchase)... or even better a completely new game!
Is multiplayer possible with it?
@AStupidID @Dazman Yeah, I've just commented that it would be nice if Nintendo Life mentioned the notable differences of this version compared to the reviewed one... luckily @PokemonDMG mentioned some of them at least!
Speaking of, PokemonDMG, you mentioned being able to battle locally, can you also battle online and you simply haven't mentioned it, you haven't tested it yet or you did and it's impossible?
@Citano Yeah I think its mostly because the developers. Didn't realise just how much a deck relying on evolving twice can be messed up by bad luck.
The final Grand Masters deck relying in evolving Dratini to Dragonite, Charmander to Charizard or Magikarp (lol 30 HP) to Gyarados. Makes it so likely that he can be beaten in two turns by the average Pokemon if he gets a bad hand.
The Masters before him are harder, especially the Articuno Grand Master. The deck is filled with basic monsters with high HP so you almost always need to get all the prizes to win. He almost always gets several Articuno on the field just because of how much HP his monsters have. Whereas there's a good chance you won't even see Legendary Dragonite until you get the card yourself.
I guess its a good lesson in how making a deck that needs to get a load of specific cards at the same time to work is going to be less reliable than one that doesn't need to, or has the survivability to ensure that you will eventually get those cards into your hand.
@JohnnyMind don't have a separate Nintendo account for testing the game.
@Nintendencies I noticed that too when I played it. It does have some RNG shenanigans that frustrate me. But it's still fun.
@PokemonDMG Okay, good to know that it's just because you couldn't test it!
@OFFICIALMichi
Exactly. Venusaur and Mew aren't even game-breaking, there's no reason not to include them here.
They could probably easily do a 'load the game from this News Article and you'll get 4x Mew and 4x Venusaur added to your card collection' with a quick save modification.
Love this game, and the Japan-exclusive sequel is even better (there's a fantastic fan-made translation).
I would be all over a new instalment in the series. They could make it an annual release (with the latest cards), and I'll lap up every last one. Hell, they could go all the way back to 1998 (or whenever) and start from scratch with the earliest cards, while gradually including more recent ones with latter instalments (if they're afraid of the game potentially cannibalising sales of the real cards).
But I have no interest in (or patience for) the awful online TCG game which is ridiculously grindy. The beauty of the GBC games was that it was so easy to obtain cards (usually 20 cards per match) and build the deck of your dreams.
@SmaggTheSmug : Speaking of which, I made a Dewgong/Gyarados deck that creamed everyone. Though I'm partial to the Venomoth/Nidoking pairing (though I've only pulled one Venomoth so far).
@nukatha according to game xplain IT WORKS! But you have to play with someone online to do it. How odd!!
I was a game tester at Nintendo when this was coming out. Specifically, we had to test the text from other languages to make sure it never exceeded the dialogue boxes. I remember having fond memories of the game, which is really something when you spend 40 hours a week starting over.
I played this game a ton back in my old Gameboy. Sole Zapdos card (GB Exclusive, one with random damage) with nothing on the bench is a guaranteed 100 damage every turn.
@Bass_X0 yeah, played this yesterday and it felt like an inferior versino of the neogeopocket game... the review should have mentioned that came (although I understand it's a 2014 game with card fighters wasn't yet available on a nintendo platform)
I'd kill to know how the AI works in this game
Wait, why is there still no review for Kirby Tilt n Tumble?
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