Pokémon TCG Pocket Gets Trading Today and Players Absolutely Hate It

Pokémon TCG Pocket's highly anticipated trading update has launched to overwhelmingly negative reviews, exceeding even the initial skepticism expressed last week. Players are flooding social media with complaints about the system's excessive requirements and restrictive nature. While the restrictions were previously disclosed, the sheer number of necessary items was deliberately obscured under the vague statement, "items must be consumed in order to trade."

Unlike other in-game mechanics like Wonder Pick or booster pack openings, trading demands the expenditure of two distinct, consumable items per transaction. The first is Trade Stamina, which regenerates over time or can be purchased with Poké Gold (real money).

The second item, and the primary source of controversy, is the Trade Token. Trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher necessitates Trade Tokens: 120 for a 3-Diamond card, 400 for a 1-Star card, and 500 for a 4-Diamond (ex Pokémon) card.

Trade Tokens are acquired solely by discarding cards from a player's collection. The exchange rates are heavily skewed against the player, requiring the sacrifice of multiple valuable cards to obtain enough tokens for a single high-value trade. For example, five ex Pokémon must be sold to trade one, and selling a Crown rarity card (the rarest in the game) only yields enough tokens for three ex Pokémon trades. Selling a 3-Star immersive art card, a key selling point of the game itself, doesn't provide enough tokens for a single 1-Star or 4-Diamond card trade.

Overwhelming Negative Feedback

The player response has been scathing. Reddit posts expressing outrage have garnered thousands of upvotes, with players labeling the update as "an insult," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure." Many players are vowing to cease spending money on the game, highlighting the perceived greed and the significant time investment required for even a single trade due to the 15-second exchange time for each token. Some players even suggest renaming the app, given the impracticality of the trading system.

Revenue Generation Concerns

The trading system's design strongly suggests a focus on revenue generation. The inability to trade cards of 2-Star rarity or higher prevents players from easily acquiring missing cards, forcing them to purchase more packs. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set.

The lack of alternative methods for obtaining Trade Tokens further exacerbates the problem. Players are required to own three copies of a card before they can even sell one, creating a cycle of continuous pack purchases.

Creatures Inc.'s Silence

Creatures Inc. has yet to respond to the widespread criticism, despite previously acknowledging player concerns. IGN has reached out for comment regarding the negative reception and the possibility of future changes. While adding Trade Tokens as mission rewards could mitigate the issue, it's more likely that Trade Stamina will be offered as rewards instead, given the precedent set by similar in-game items.

The launch of this poorly-received trading mechanic casts a shadow over the upcoming update, which will introduce Diamond and Pearl Pokémon. The current situation highlights a significant disconnect between the developers and the player base.