Pokemon TCG Pocket: Trading Feature Upgrades Amid Backlash

DeNA, the developers behind Pokemon TCG Pocket, have committed to making changes to the game's trading feature following significant player backlash. Here's a detailed look at why players have expressed their dissatisfaction with the recent update.

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

TCG Pocket’s Trade Tokens are Quite Expensive to Obtain

The trading feature, introduced on January 29, 2025, has stirred controversy among players. While it allows trading of 1-4 Diamonds and 1-Star rarity cards from Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs, the system's limitations have caused frustration. Players are particularly upset about the high cost of trade tokens, the new in-game currency required for trading, and the restricted card selection.

In response to the backlash, DeNA announced on February 1, 2025, via Twitter (X) that they are "actively investigating ways to improve the feature to address these concerns." They plan to introduce multiple methods for obtaining trade tokens, including event distributions. Currently, players can only trade up to 1-Star cards using these tokens, which are acquired by sacrificing higher rarity cards. For example, trading a 4-Diamond card (an ex Pokemon) requires 500 tokens, yet players can only earn 100 tokens for a 1-Star card and 300 for 2-Star and 3-Star cards, forcing them to use multiple or rare cards to trade.

DeNA justified the strict trading rules, stating, "The item requirements and restrictions implemented for the trading feature were designed to prevent abuse from bots and other prohibited actions using multiple accounts. Our goal was 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 further changes remain undisclosed, it appears the developers are focused on preventing potential exploitation before rolling out updates.

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

Another issue raised by players concerns the availability of Genetic Apex booster packs following the release of the Space-Time Smackdown packs on January 29, 2025. Some players expressed concern on Reddit that the Genetic Apex packs were no longer accessible, as the home screen only displayed the Mythical Island and Space-Time Smackdown options.

However, players can still 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. Some players speculated that this design choice was intentional to promote the newer packs, though it has left those still collecting from the first set feeling neglected. Suggestions have been made for DeNA to update the home screen to display all available booster packs to prevent further confusion.

While DeNA has not yet addressed this specific issue, it's hoped that this clarification will help players continue their efforts to complete the Genetic Apex booster packs.