Pokémon TCG Pocket, the latest mobile entry in the Pokémon franchise, has taken the mobile gaming world by storm. The game, centered on collecting virtual Pokémon cards, reportedly raked in a staggering $3 million per day over its opening weekend, according to data from app tracker Appmagic. This impressive debut brings its total earnings to $12 million in just four days, tripling the average daily revenue of Pokémon Go, which earns approximately $1 million daily.
The popularity of Pokémon TCG Pocket highlights the global love for card collecting that has persisted since the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s (TCG) original release. While the physical TCG has seen huge popularity, often with fans collecting for nostalgia rather than competition, Pokémon TCG Pocket captures that collecting spirit in digital form. Many rare physical cards have soared in value, and the pandemic only strengthened the demand for collectibles. Pokémon TCG Pocket cleverly taps into this love for collecting, which has paid off with record-breaking earnings.
Most of the game’s revenue is coming from Japanese players, who make up a whopping 45% of total revenue so far, while U.S. players contribute around 25%. However, the U.S. leads in downloads, accounting for 29% of the game’s 7.5 million total downloads, while Japan only represents 4%. This shows Japanese players are investing significantly in in-game purchases, a trend seen in several other mobile games where Japanese players are among the top spenders.
As the game grows in popularity, players have already started exploring theories and methods for pulling rare cards. These myths echo those surrounding physical card packs, but, as with many fan-driven theories, there’s little evidence supporting these claims. Despite these unproven strategies, the buzz around Pokémon TCG Pocket continues to grow.
With such a strong start, Pokémon TCG Pocket could be on track to become a mainstay in the Pokémon franchise’s mobile offerings. Although the launch phase typically sees higher spending, the game’s collecting focus and fan base suggest it could retain much of this early momentum.
