Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket: What It Cost One Player to Collect Every Card

Since launching on mobile devices in late October 2024, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has rapidly established itself within the digital card-collecting genre.

Developed by The Pokémon Company, this latest addition to the Pokémon universe brings the thrill and nostalgia of collecting cards to smartphones, with daily free packs and a familiar gacha-based system.

As players dive in, the allure of completing an entire digital Pokédex has inspired both casual fans and dedicated collectors alike to test their luck—and wallets. One such collector, known on Reddit as 'Weens4Life,' decided to see firsthand what it would take to catch every card released in Pokémon TCG Pocket’s current set.

The results offer striking insight into the financial realities of the game’s mechanics.

After an investment of $1,500 USD and the opening of 1,741 digital packs—amounting to a staggering 8,582 cards—'Weens4Life' succeeded in collecting every available card in the game.

They noted that simply completing the “base card dex,” a more modest milestone, cost around $200, but acquisition of the rarest cards required a much greater effort. Despite the significant investment, the collector reported no exclusive reward for their comprehensive achievement.

Four crown rare cards were drawn during the process, and the sought-after Pikachu card was ultimately acquired via the game's pity shop.

Notably, none of the much-coveted 'God packs'—packs that guarantee multiple rare cards—were opened during the 1,741 pack journey.

The final three full art cards, featuring Venusaur, Gengar, and Machamp, proved the hardest to obtain, with Machamp's full art being the last card needed to complete the set.

After reaching this milestone, the player shared that their in-game level had climbed to 47, underscoring the substantial playtime invested. In recounting their experience, the player stated they undertook this challenge to illustrate the true cost of completion to the community, but emphasized they "will not be doing it again." Their high-profile demonstration has sparked conversations about the nature of gacha game economies, the randomized odds behind collecting, and the value proposition for dedicated collectors versus free-to-play participants.

As with many games in the genre, Pokémon TCG Pocket allows players to earn packs through regular play, but the probabilities associated with rare cards make full completion a daunting (and costly) task for those seeking instant results. It’s worth noting that this intensive collection effort comes at a time when Pokémon TCG Pocket is enjoying significant commercial success.

Recent reports confirm that the game generated over $120 million USD in its first month on the Nintendo eShop and mobile platforms, with developers promising continued updates and the addition of new booster sets.

This ongoing content stream suggests that collection goals—and the monetary investment required for completion—will only expand moving forward. Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is available now on mobile devices and via the Nintendo eShop, continuing the tradition of Pokémon TCG for a new generation of fans.

As the landscape of digital card collecting evolves, the experience of early adopters like 'Weens4Life' offers both a cautionary tale and a testament to the enduring appeal of the Pokémon franchise.

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