Editorial Review
Pokémon Trading Card Game is a Game Boy Color title based on the popular strategy card game from Wizards of the Coast. Fans of the existing red, blue, and yellow versions of Pokémon will find this game to be less redundant than earlier Game Boy Pocket Monster offerings. This game is more of a hybrid of its predecessors--mixing strategy card gameplay and role-playing game elements--with highly successful results.
The story in Pokémon Trading Card Game is basically the same as that of the original Pokémon titles, only with new character and feature names substituted. Instead of Professor Oak, players meet Dr. Mason. Gym Leaders are named Club Masters, battles are duels, and so forth. Learning the card game is a breeze thanks to the inclusion of comprehensive instructions and an in-depth tutorial. Although some minor changes have been made, the method of play is virtually identical to the original card game, and just as addictive. While much shorter than the Pokémon games, the gameplay here doesn't involve random and repetitive battles, and follows a less linear path.
Although Pokémon Trading Card Game would seem to turn a social experience into a solitary one, it allows for and encourages interacting with other game owners. Duels can be fought between players via a game link cable, and cards and decks can be traded using the infrared communications port. The most interesting (although somewhat dubious) feature here is the "card pop!" option, which generates one new card for each player when communicating wirelessly; the catch is that you can't "card pop!" the same person again for a while after doing so, thus limiting the feature's appeal. --Joe Hon
Pros:
- Easy-to-learn and highly addictive gameplay
- Features cards exclusive to the Game Boy
- Excellent game link and infrared communication port options
- Package includes limited edition trading card
Cons: - Relatively short game compared to Pokémon Game Boy titles
- Very limited appeal outside the Pokémaniac crowd
Product Description
Your goal in life is to become a Pokémon Card Master. In order to do that, you must pick a deck from three starter packs of cards based on Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur and travel to the eight card clubs and defeat their leaders. Along the way, you will challenge many players to collect new cards and the helpful Professor Mason will aid you by giving you cards as well. While becoming a card master is a laudable accomplishment, the real goal of the game is to collect all of the cards over 200 in all. If you want to collect all of the cards, you must play human opponents in the Pop mode to get a chance to earn rare cards. All of the complexity of the real-world game has been captured here. Play POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME and become a Pokémon Card Master.
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