• Welcome to Install Base!
    Join the Community and gain access to Prediction Leagues, Polls, specific answers and exclusive content now!

Pokémon TCG Pocket generated $120m+ in less than 3 weeks [UPDATE4: $500m+ in its first 97 days]

Despite what it may seems this is a VERY different game than the regular TCG.

But also, there are several PC/mobile clients where you can play it, it just costs the same as playing the real deal so the appeal is super limited.
I'm talking more so back during the days where the games would have been releasing alongside mainline games on Game Boy hardware. We only ever got one game (even though two were made) despite the first game being by all accounts really well recieved and then literally nothing ever again. Meanwhile YGO released a long line of very popular video game tie ins right there in the glaring absence of Pokemon TCG games.
 
I'm talking more so back during the days where the games would have been releasing alongside mainline games on Game Boy hardware. We only ever got one game (even though two were made) despite the first game being by all accounts really well recieved and then literally nothing ever again. Meanwhile YGO released a long line of very popular video game tie ins right there in the glaring absence of Pokemon TCG games.
Well, as mentioned, that probably has to do with being entirely reliant on TPC, instead of TPC + Nintendo + GameFreak. But that's a guess on my part.
 
I'm talking more so back during the days where the games would have been releasing alongside mainline games on Game Boy hardware. We only ever got one game (even though two were made) despite the first game being by all accounts really well recieved and then literally nothing ever again. Meanwhile YGO released a long line of very popular video game tie ins right there in the glaring absence of Pokemon TCG games.

The sequel was fantastic, too. Far meatier. I’ve actually said it here once before, weirdly, but I recommend it to anyone who’s never tried it.

I agree that the possible - maybe probable - culprit is the publishing details behind the card game, yep.
 
The Pokemon company will probably have their best ever revenue performance in 2025 due to them having two big mobile games now as well as Pokemon Legends Z-A coming out.
 
60 million downloads as of 12/12/2024. With the next set releasing in a few days revenues in december should be strong.



60m DL.
Holiday coming
New Pack especially it is Mew.

The revenue is going to be huge.
 
As I stated in the gacha thread, downloads are a lot slower than I expected, and it's far more whale driven as well.
I guess the only reason to spend would be if you wanna go into competitive, which you'd needa spend a lot on (since ya can't buy singles), so it makes sense.
 
As I stated in the gacha thread, downloads are a lot slower than I expected, and it's far more whale driven as well.
I guess the only reason to spend would be if you wanna go into competitive, which you'd needa spend a lot on (since ya can't buy singles), so it makes sense.
The only reason to spend is collecting cards that have no additional gameplay value. All pokemon can be collected by obtaining cards that are rarity 1-4 out of 8. Spending only gives you more deck choice early on.
 
Ya, but it's more common to bling out a deck in competitive than casual.
When I played physical TCG competitions, more people would have the higher valued versions of cards in their decks than not.
 
As I stated in the gacha thread, downloads are a lot slower than I expected, and it's far more whale driven as well.
I guess the only reason to spend would be if you wanna go into competitive, which you'd needa spend a lot on (since ya can't buy singles), so it makes sense.
You're just describing the TCG economy. Not saying that's good, necessarily, but it is definitely expected.

And you know you CAN buy singles, it's just that the conversion rate is obfuscated. At 500 pack points per EX card, it's about 80~90 dollars worth of pokegold to get the one you want right now, or just wait five or six weeks.
 
Right, I just expected a more casual audience given the success of Pokémon Go and the failure of Pokémon Masters.
 
Its still a card game and not reinventing the wheel - Pokemon GO introduced and established a whole new playstyle and genre for the masses. Pretty much every game is gonna be less casual than a Pokemon title where you actually needed to go out and catch Pokemon.
 
As I stated in the gacha thread, downloads are a lot slower than I expected, and it's far more whale driven as well.
I guess the only reason to spend would be if you wanna go into competitive, which you'd needa spend a lot on (since ya can't buy singles), so it makes sense.
To be fair whales can take you pretty far, given that whales made a niche IP like Fire Emblem into a billion revenue mobile game.
 
We are talking about a game that got 60m downloads in less than 2 months. Current DL pace is also very strong.

Reading the discussion you would think we are talking about a Fire Emblem Heroes-like with a very focused audience driving the game's revenue.
 
I never said it was remotely bad, but given the popularity of the IP, especially this sector of the IP, thought it'd be bigger.

Isnt it (outside of china) the 2nd biggest launch for mobile? Not sure how much bigger we expecting. I haven't spent a dime but I might consider once ina blue to open 10 packs. It's very engaging and I've been dying for a new pack
 
Isnt it (outside of china) the 2nd biggest launch for mobile? Not sure how much bigger we expecting. I haven't spent a dime but I might consider once ina blue to open 10 packs. It's very engaging and I've been dying for a new pack
Wait like 5 days.

 
To be fair whales can take you pretty far, given that whales made a niche IP like Fire Emblem into a billion revenue mobile game.

We dont even need to go to FE.

Master Duel Yugioh literally live and die on whales lol.
 
I never said it was remotely bad, but given the popularity of the IP, especially this sector of the IP, thought it'd be bigger.
It's the second biggest download game of November. I think your scale is a little off. There's not much higher it can go.
 
Wasn't on PS at launch, but likely includes PC since Hoyo didn't specify.
Wait no, confusing with Star Rail, was on PS5 at launch.
 
Last edited:
Zenless Zone Zero got 50 million downloads in 4 days.
I feel like it's fair to expect a lot more from Pokémon TCG.
There's a few caveats being that includes PC, PS4 and Chinese market unlike PokeTCG Pocket
 
TCG Pocket is China too.
But forgot Zenless Zone Zero was on PS5 at launch.

But in all likelihood, given the platform requirements, TCG Pocket is prolly playable on more devices than Zenless Zone Zero was at its launch.

And it's a new IP from a smaller studio vs the biggest IP on Earth.

TCG Pocket is far more successful, I just expected it to be bigger.
 
TCG Pocket is China too.
But forgot Zenless Zone Zero was on PS5 at launch.

But in all likelihood, given the platform requirements, TCG Pocket is prolly playable on more devices than Zenless Zone Zero was at its launch.

And it's a new IP from a smaller studio vs the biggest IP on Earth.

TCG Pocket is far more successful, I just expected it to be bigger.
What the fuck are you even talking about. It's not even available in China. And it's DeNA.
 
TCG Pocket is China too.
But forgot Zenless Zone Zero was on PS5 at launch.

But in all likelihood, given the platform requirements, TCG Pocket is prolly playable on more devices than Zenless Zone Zero was at its launch.

And it's a new IP from a smaller studio vs the biggest IP on Earth.

TCG Pocket is far more successful, I just expected it to be bigger.
Are you sure it released in China? I can't find any information about the game releasing there. Bulbapedia also mentioned that the game released worldwide except Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cameroon, mainland China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Gibraltar, Iraq, Kenya, Kosovo, Libya, the Maldives, Mali, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nauru, the Netherlands, Russia, San Marino, Senegal, Tonga, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zimbabwe
 
Having the largest IP does not mean a free success. Otherwise, the market will only quickly become saturated. Take a look at the history of Pokemon mobile games.
 
Sure, and we saw that wit h the failure of Pokemon Masters, which I also expected to be significantly larger than it was.
Given that Pokemon Go was a smash success, and it somewhat resembled the feeling of the main games, I did expect this to be more in line with that, since it captures the feeling of TCG, whereas Masters is something completely different.
 
Having the largest IP does not mean a free success. Otherwise, the market will only quickly become saturated. Take a look at the history of Pokemon mobile games.

Yup. Ip can help like we see with Rivals.

But it can only help so much. Because like marvel itself, how many has flopped with no good quality for the game itself.

Pokemon TCG for its genre being TCG i feel has done outstanding.
 
TCG Pocket is China too.
But forgot Zenless Zone Zero was on PS5 at launch.

But in all likelihood, given the platform requirements, TCG Pocket is prolly playable on more devices than Zenless Zone Zero was at its launch.

And it's a new IP from a smaller studio vs the biggest IP on Earth.

TCG Pocket is far more successful, I just expected it to be bigger.
Can you elaborate how you came to this conclusion since TCG pocket is not on PC or PS platform and it's not available in China?
 
Can you elaborate how you came to this conclusion since TCG pocket is not on PC or PS platform and it's not available in China?

I think Busaiku already know that he is wrong in that assessment lol. TCG Pocket simply is on less platform(Not even switch) And it is released on less region.
 
Considering how the servers are being hammered right now and everyone and their mom doing pulls, gonna be interested to see how much the playerbase are gonna be willing to spent.
Lots of new cards for a "small" pack.
 
I did 21 pulls so far, the itch is back. The servers are pretty bad. Multiple errors and loadings. 300 millions this year is a lock.
 
Heard a couple of stories of people who've already dumped 300+ bucks on the new pack, Jesus. Thanks for funding the game for me I guess.
 
It finally achieved first place in the best-selling category of IOS games in US. This game is starting to show its potential.
 
This is a small set and holiday, wait intill pack 2 comes end of Jan. On pokemon day ya gonna hear over 500mil spent
 
This is a small set and holiday, wait intill pack 2 comes end of Jan. On pokemon day ya gonna hear over 500mil spent
Well, that doesn't make much sense. These revenue estimates are based on rankings, and when it already ranks first, there won't be much difference.
 
Well, that doesn't make much sense. These revenue estimates are based on rankings, and when it already ranks first, there won't be much difference.

I'm confused by your post, we get official statements dont we like this thread, so wouldnt we get continued info if they are bragging about how much is getting made?
 
I'm confused by your post, we get official statements dont we like this thread, so wouldnt we get continued info if they are bragging about how much is getting made?
These are all just estimates from 3rdParties who specialized in that market, TPC and all other big players in the mobile space rarely share actual revenue information.

But you are right that, full new pack 2 next year should do even better.
 
These are all just estimates from 3rdParties who specialized in that market, TPC and all other big players in the mobile space rarely share actual revenue information.

But you are right that, full new pack 2 next year should do even better.

Oh I see, it's not 100% but we get some ballpark idea basically. Let's see if it gets around 300mil by years end.
 
I'm confused by your post, we get official statements dont we like this thread, so wouldnt we get continued info if they are bragging about how much is getting made?
These incomes are estimated based on rankings.
If they had a grand event, they wouldn't achieve more 1st because they have already achieved 1st in those main markets.
Even if more income is obtained, it will not be calculated.
This is the reason why Honor of Kings appears to have the same monthly income, as it always ranks first.
 
Back
Top Bottom