Pokémon's New Mobile Game Takes the World by Storm with Over 60 Million Downloads

Who remembers the Pokémon Go a couple of years ago? 

Pokémon is making waves once again with its latest mobile game, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. Since its launch on October 30, the game has become an immediate hit, with over 60 million downloads and an estimated $180 million in revenue in just six weeks.

People trade Pokemon cards during the first day of the 2019 Pokemon World Championships at the Washington Convention Center. AP

This new app, a virtual version of the collectible card game that has captured the hearts of fans since the 1990s, has taken the Pokémon franchise to a new level of success in the mobile gaming world.

Developed by The Pokémon Company, a subsidiary of Nintendo, Pokémon TCG Pocket gives players the chance to open "boosters"—digital card packs—and battle online, much like they would with the physical cards. The game's quick rise to popularity is evident in its revenue, which, according to digital market intelligence firm Sensor Tower analyst Sam Aune, “Pokémon TCG Pocket is showing one of the strongest performances of any mobile game of all time.” This performance places it second among mobile games for first-month revenue, right after the wildly successful Pokémon Go.

Released in 2016, Pokémon Go became a worldwide sensation, earning over $200 million in its first month and encouraging millions to venture outside to hunt for virtual creatures. Now, Pokémon TCG Pocket is tapping into that same global enthusiasm, while also driving interest in physical cards.

On July 23, 2016, a Syrian gamer used the Pokémon Go app on his phone to catch a Pokémon amidst the ruins of Douma, a besieged rebel-held town located east of Damascus. AFP

As Frederique Tutt, a toy market expert at Circana, explains, “Physical cards remain the brand’s heart; something collectors want to own for playing and trading.” The combination of the mobile app's success and the rising sales of physical cards highlights the ongoing power of the Pokémon brand.

The new app has effectively recreated the experience of opening physical trading card packs in the digital space. Simon Carless, founder of GameDiscoverCo, praises the game’s design, saying, “It’s a very unchanged experience compared to the physical card game—which was smart, and that’s why people love it.” Fans of all ages are flocking to social media platforms to share videos of their card reveals and tournament play. On TikTok, the hashtag #PokemonTCG has amassed over 1.5 million posts, further proof of the app’s viral success.

While Pokémon TCG Pocket is free to download, players are encouraged to make in-app purchases to collect more cards and continue their journey. The game’s success not only marks another milestone for the Pokémon franchise but also demonstrates the lasting appeal of collectible card games in both digital and physical formats.