Canada got a bit of a head start, but Poké-trainers in the United States can start trying to catch ’em all in the Trading Card game on iPad starting tomorrow.
The Pokémon Company International announced today that it plans to release the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online for iPad on the iOS App Store tomorrow. This brings the digital version of the collectible card battler to Apple’s massive tablet platform outside. The free app has players building decks, fighting computer-controlled opponents, and then going online to take on other human trainers. This is the first Pokémon-related game to make it to a mobile device — although the Trading Card Game is also available on Windows and Mac computers.
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":1564305,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"games,","session":"C"}']“The iPad version of the Pokémon TCG Online makes it even easier for fans to pick up the game and begin playing immediately,” The Pokémon Company director of consumer marketing J.C. Smith said. “We want to provide players with various access points to play and enjoy the Pokémon TCG, whether it’s the traditional tabletop game, PC and Mac version, or the iPad and iPad Mini app.”
Heads up, US Trainers! The #PokemonTCGOnline iPad app arrives in the Apple App Store tomorrow! http://t.co/LXFQvIhrb2
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) September 29, 2014
It launched on iPad in Canada on Friday. This morning, it launched in New Zealand, the U.K., France, and a few other markets. It will launch in a number of other territories in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa later this week.
In Canada, the Pokémon card game is the 24th most downloaded app for iPad, according to data-intelligence firm App Annie. It is the 55th highest-grossing card game on iPad, with players spending $10 and $25 to purchase gems. Trainers can use that in-game currency to buy booster packs to improve their decks.
The Pokémon Company is likely hoping the game will catch on with a major audience on the iPad. Card games are some of the most lucrative on that platform, and the brand-recognition of the pocket monsters could push the app to the top of the charts.