Pokémon TCG Pocket Update: Trading Feature Delayed Until Autumn

The launch of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket was met with excitement, but it quickly encountered its first major challenge with the trading feature. Initially, trading was hindered by the need for scarce currency and restrictive rules on who could trade what. However, a recent update aims to address these issues head-on.

The most significant change is the complete elimination of Trading Tokens. Now, trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will require Shinedust instead. This new currency is earned when you open a booster pack and receive a card that's already registered in your Card Dex. If you have existing Trade Tokens, don't worry—they can be converted to Shinedust. Given that Shinedust is also used to obtain flair, further adjustments are on the horizon. Additionally, an upcoming update will introduce an in-game function allowing you to share cards you're interested in trading.

As I previously mentioned, the initial implementation of trading felt half-hearted. The challenge with digital trading is that it requires more restrictions than physical trading to prevent abuse, a necessity in a digital ecosystem.

While these changes are promising, they won't be implemented until at least autumn, leaving us in spring with a wait that feels longer than many would like. Despite the Pokémon TCG Pocket team's acknowledgment of these issues, the pace of their response has left some players impatient.

If you're hesitant to dive back into Pokémon TCG Pocket just yet, consider exploring some of the new mobile games we've highlighted in our latest feature on the top five new releases to try this week.