Pokémon TCG Pocket Gets Trading Today and Players Absolutely Hate It

Pokémon TCG Pocket's highly anticipated trading update has arrived, but instead of celebration, it's met with widespread player outrage. The trading system, already criticized last week for its restrictions, has launched to an even more negative reception due to unexpectedly burdensome requirements.

The core issue lies in the dual resource system: Trade Stamina and Trade Tokens. Trade Stamina, replenishing over time or purchasable with Poké Gold (real money), is needed for every trade. However, the real controversy centers around Trade Tokens, mandatory for trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher rarity. The token costs are exorbitant: 120 for a 3-Diamond card, 400 for a 1-Star card, and 500 for a 4-Diamond (ex Pokémon) card.

Acquiring Trade Tokens necessitates selling existing cards. The exchange rates are heavily skewed against the player, requiring the sale of multiple high-rarity cards to trade a single card of similar or lower rarity. For instance, 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, doesn't even provide enough tokens to trade a 1-Star or 4-Diamond card.

Player reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with Reddit threads filled with criticism. Terms like "insult," "excessive greed," "hilariously toxic," and "monumental failure" frequently appear. Players are calling for the removal of "Trading Card Game" from the title, highlighting the disconnect between the advertised feature and its actual implementation. The 15-second exchange time for Trade Tokens further exacerbates the tediousness of the process.

The community believes the trading system is designed primarily to boost revenue, especially considering the game's reported $200 million first-month earnings before trading was even available. The inability to easily trade high-rarity cards directly encourages players to spend money on booster packs for a chance at obtaining them. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set.

Developer Creatures Inc. remains silent on the backlash, despite previously acknowledging player concerns. While the possibility of adding Trade Tokens as mission rewards exists, it's more likely that Trade Stamina will be rewarded instead, mirroring the existing system for similar in-game resources.

This poorly received trading system casts a shadow on the upcoming Diamond and Pearl update, introducing Pokémon like Dialga and Palkia. The negative reception raises serious questions about the game's long-term sustainability and player retention.