The launch of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket was met with excitement, but the trading feature quickly became a point of contention. Initially, the system was marred by the need for hard-to-obtain Trade Tokens and restrictive trading rules. However, a new update aims to address these issues and improve the trading experience.
The most significant change is the complete removal of Trade Tokens. Now, trading cards of three-diamond, four-diamond, and one-star rarity will require Shinedust instead. You'll earn Shinedust by opening booster packs and receiving cards that are already registered in your Card Dex. If you have existing Trade Tokens, they can be converted into Shinedust, which is also used to obtain flair. Further updates to Shinedust are planned, and an upcoming feature will allow you to share cards you're interested in trading directly within the game.
As I mentioned previously, the initial implementation of trading seemed half-hearted. The digital nature of the game necessitates more restrictions than physical trading to prevent abuse, which has been a challenge. While these changes are a step in the right direction, they won't be implemented until autumn, leaving players waiting through the spring and summer.
If you're hesitant to dive back into Pokémon TCG Pocket just yet, consider exploring some of the new mobile games we've highlighted in our latest feature on the top five new releases to try this week.
