Fans of the game Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket are expressing their dissatisfaction with the recently implemented trading system. Since its launch last week, discussions across platforms like Reddit, X, YouTube, and even the official game site reveal a widespread consensus: Trading in Pocket is proving to be quite problematic.
Pocket, which debuted last October on both iOS and Android, is a free-to-play version of the physical card game designed to simplify the card-collecting and battling experience. Channeling the nostalgic frenzy of the late ’90s and early 2000s, game developers regularly release new card sets to entice players into opening digital packs in search of rare Pokémon. Players can use these cards to challenge AI opponents or compete against others online. Before last Wednesday, the game notably lacked a trading feature that would allow players to swap cards and enhance their decks.
Since the introduction of this feature, players are now threatening to cancel their premium subscriptions—priced at $9.99 a month, which provides extra items and cards. “Such a shame; it was really enjoyable for a few months,” commented one user on Reddit, urging others to cancel their memberships. “Now it just feels unpleasant.”
“This could have more impact than just leaving negative feedback,” another Redditor responded. “They’ll realize quickly that the trading feature is affecting their revenue.” Another user shared their experience, “I’ve done my part; I’ve also canceled my premium account,” they noted alongside a screenshot of their cancellation.
Trading has been a fundamental aspect of the franchise, dating back to the original Game Boy games and in-person card exchanges. Other Pokémon titles have made trading straightforward. For instance, in the 2022 Nintendo Switch release Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players can trade locally with friends or online with a subscription. The mobile game Pokémon Go also promotes trading among nearby players.
Since the launch of Pocket, fans have eagerly awaited the trading mechanics that developers had been hinting at on the game’s social platform with a “coming soon” announcement for several months. While not every player has voiced concerns about the system—some view it as a way to offload duplicate cards—the overall response has been largely negative. “This is definitely not a sustainable model,” wrote one disappointed player.
The issue lies in the operational mechanics of the trading system. Unlike other Pokémon games, which only require an internet connection and the card intended for trading, Pocket employs a system that many fans criticize as unnecessarily complicated. Trades utilize stamina, which can either replenish over time or be boosted with items, in addition to Trade Tokens. These tokens are harder to come by; they must be earned through special events or by dismantling cards for items, and certain cards can’t be traded unless players possess duplicates. For those without spare cards, the quickest way to acquire new ones involves spending real money on items that expedite card collection.
