Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
Logo of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
Basic info
Platform:	Windows, macOS, iOS on iPad, iPadOS, Android tablets
Category:	Strategy
Players:	1-2, with unlimited in chat
Connectivity:	Internet
Developer:	Electrified Games, Sleepy Giant Entertainment, Plexipixel, Inversoft, Dire Wolf Digital
Publisher:	The Pokémon Company International
Part of:	Generations V-VIII misc
Ratings
CERO:	N/A
ESRB:	E
ACB:	PG
OFLC:	G
PEGI:	7
GRAC:	N/A
GSRR:	N/A
Release dates
Japan:	N/A
North America:	March 24, 2011 (TC beta)
Australia:	March 24, 2011 (TC beta)
Europe:	March 24, 2011 (TC beta)
South Korea:	N/A
Hong Kong:	N/A
Taiwan:	N/A
Websites
Japanese:	N/A
English:	Game site

Pokémon TCGO site icon

Pokémon Trading Card Game Online (also referred to as Pokémon TCG Online or TCGO) was a downloadable game and the first Pokémon game outside Japan of the MMOTCG (massively-multiplayer online trading card game) genre. It was based on the Pokémon Trading Card Game or TCG aspect of the Pokémon franchise and follows the same rules. The game was originally released as a browser-based game in March 2011 before being relaunched as a downloadable game in 2012 for Windows and macOS, iOS on iPad in 2014, and Android tablets in 2016. It officially emerged from open beta testing in February 2015 but continued to be refined and improved upon on a continual basis. The game was free to download and is accessible to both beginners and experienced players. It was also intended to be used by both adults and children.

Players do not need to purchase physical products from a store in order to play as they are provided with basic resources, and there are multiple means of earning new cards and other rewards as the game is played. The game has all cards released internationally from the HeartGold & SoulSilver to the Crown Zenith expansion, with new products having been released in periodic updates.

On September 20, 2021, a successor titled Pokémon Trading Card Game Live was announced. On June 5, 2023, TCG Online become unavailable for download and its servers were shutdown, in anticipation of TCG Live's official launch on June 8, 2023. Players of TCG Online will be able to transfer certain cards and items to TCG Live - this transfer could be performed during TCG Live's beta, or after TCG Online's shutdown, with no deadline until further notice.

Guided story

So as to not overwhelm new and returning players with the complexity of the full game and in order to assist less experienced players in learning basic game mechanics, all players are initially directed through a set of in-game Tutorials and then a set of matches before all game features are accessible. Then, the player is directed to the Trainer Challenge but can ignore it and already use the other game's modes. Players already familiar with the game may bypass the tutorials by disabling the "New User Experience" under Options.

Play modes

There are four primary Play modes available: Tutorial, Trainer Challenge, Versus Mode and Events Mode. Additionally, Friend Battle and Play Testing are available under the Social menu and the Deck Manager respectively. Except for the tutorials, each mode is playable in one or more of the below deck formats:

Theme

Main article: List of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online decks

Only preconstructed Theme decks are allowed in this play type. Apart from the player's initial decks, Theme decks are obtained by either using Redemption codes or by purchase with Trainer Tokens in the in-game Shop.

Currently, new players have access to five Theme decks (plus XY Basic Yellow only in the tutorials) exclusive to the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, but other unique Theme decks were available in the past. Official Theme Decks from the HeartGold & SoulSilver expansion onward can also be played in this format.

Standard

Only decks composed entirely of cards from expansions or sets officially sanctioned for Play! Pokémon events for the Standard format are allowed in this play type. The list of allowed expansions is updated with a game patch shortly after as the official, annual Rotation is announced. Expansions are added to the Standard format as they are released (typically four a year), and the oldest legal expansions are rotated out of the Standard format on an annual basis. The Standard format was previously called the Modified format.

Expanded

Only decks composed entirely of cards from expansions or sets officially sanctioned for Play! Pokémon events for the Expanded format are allowed in this play type. This format was added in the 2014-2015 season to allow a greater number of expansions than the Standard format but not be as unpredictable in card combinations as the Unlimited format. The list of allowed expansions is updated with a game patch shortly after as the official, annual Rotation is announced. Expansions are added to the Expanded format as they are released.

Unlimited

Any deck composed of cards currently available in the game are allowed in this play type. This format was retired from Versus/Events Mode on March 30th, 2016, now only being accessible through Friend Battles.

Legacy

Only decks composed of cards from HeartGold & SoulSilver and Black & White Series can be played in this format. This format replaced the Unlimited format in the Versus Mode as a way to allow players to use old cards without having to face "broken" decks such as the Shiftry Donk archetype. This format is exclusive to TCGO.

Tutorial Mode

Main article: Tutorial (TCGO)

After being welcomed to the Game Store, Professor Holly guides the player through matches designed to teach players the basics of game play with assistance.

Trainer Challenge

Main article: Game Store

In the Trainer Challenge, players face various computer-controlled Trainer characters using their owned Theme decks. Players battle in three "Leagues": Gold League, Platinum League, and City Championship. Players must defeat a given Trainer in a specific spot or position once before unlocking the next Trainer position, as well finishing a given league once before unlocking the next. Some Trainers appear more than once in a league. Unlike more traditional tournaments such as Events Mode, players that have been defeated may pickup right where they left off rather than start all over again. They are also able to rematch a Trainer that has already been defeated in any league position.

Winning matches against Trainers with different decks earn players stars (maximum four per opponent) that unlock rewards and changes the composition of that opponent's deck to increase difficulty:

• 1 Star = 1 Trainer Token (per Trainer opponent), Trainer's difficulty increases to "Medium"
• 2 Stars = 3 Trainer Tokens (per Trainer opponent)
• 3 Stars = 10 Trainer Tokens (per Trainer opponent), Trainer's difficulty increases to "Hard"
• 4 Stars = 1 non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack from the current Standard format (per Trainer opponent)
• Additionally, players obtain 3 more non-tradable, 10-card Booster packs from the current Standard format by earning 4 Stars with all 12 Trainers in a league for 9 more Booster packs.

These Trainer Tokens and 45 total Booster packs are only obtained once per account.

Players must defeat 7 Trainers with the same Starter Theme deck (except for the XY Basic Yellow Theme deck) to fully unlock all the cards in that deck. Beating the same Trainer in a different position in a league or in a different leagues counts toward the 7 successes, but not beating a Trainer in the same position in a league more than once.

Versus Mode

Versus Mode allows players to play against another randomly selected online player in the Theme, Standard, Expanded or Legacy format. Players earn a single Trainer Token for each match played ("Expert Matchmaking Reward"), provided they have met minimum playtime requirements, plus 2 Trainer Tokens if they win a match versus a player who was above their online rank. Additionally, players are given the chance to spin the Bonus Wheel regardless of the match's outcome, which provides an opportunity to receive Trainer Tokens, Event Tickets, or a Mystery Box reward.

Winning a match also earns players Versus Points, which advance players along a Versus Ladder reward system.

Events Mode

Entry into Events, formerly referred to as "Tournaments", require either Event Tickets or Trainer Tokens. Events of different Deck formats are always available to join. Playing in events with other players provides the opportunity to gain Trainer Tokens or additional Event Tickets with a spin on the Bonus Wheel at the end of each match, win or lose, as well as the opportunity to earn Trainer Tokens, Event Tickets, Booster packs, and Uncommon Chests based on player placement in a given event.

Each event is composed of three-round single elimination matches between 8 players. Upon entering an event, players are placed into a queue until all 8 players have been joined. Then, the event will begin and a new queue for other players will be created. The maximum duration of an event is 1 hour and 17 minutes with up to 25 minutes minutes per match (12 and ½ minutes per player) and one minute between rounds.

Usually only Theme, Standard and Expanded format events are available, as the Legacy format has a low playerbase and Unlimited has a reputation of turn one win decks.

Entry costs and rewards vary widely for special events. Continuously running event entry costs and rewards are standardized:

Entry	Rewards
	1st Place	2nd Place	3rd to 4th Place	5th to 8th Place
89 Trainer Tokens	Event Tickets ×3	Event Tickets ×2	Event Tickets ×1	Trainer Tokens ×12
4 Event Tickets	Current expansion Booster packs ×2 and Random Booster packs ×1	Current expansion Booster packs ×1 and Random Booster packs ×1	Random Booster packs ×1	Uncommon Chests ×1
6 Event Tickets*	Current expansion Booster packs ×2, Random Booster packs ×2, and Uncommon Chest ×3	Random Booster packs ×1 and Uncommon Chests ×1	Random Booster packs ×1	Uncommon Chests ×1 and Trainer Tokens ×25
8 Event Tickets	Current expansion Booster packs ×4, Random Booster packs ×2	Current expansion Booster packs ×2, Random Booster packs ×2	Random Booster packs ×2	Uncommon Chests ×1
8 Event Tickets (weekend)*	Current expansion Booster packs ×6	Current expansion Booster packs ×4	Current expansion Booster packs ×2	Uncommon Chests ×1
1 Tournament Key*	Qualification to Players Cup 2 depending on the player's rating zone and performance in all Players Cup Qualifier tournaments

Friend Battle

Friend Battle is located under the "Friends" section of the Social menu. This mode allows players to play against another player who is on their Friends List. This mode does not count toward Player rank or gives the player any rewards.

Play Testing

Play Testing is located under the Deck Manager Mode. This mode allows players to practice using their chosen deck against a random computer-controlled Trainer from the Trainer Challenge and also does not count toward Player rank or gives the player any rewards.

Managing cards

The Collection viewer Mode shows cards, unopened Booster packs and Theme decks, Avatar and Gameplay items in a player's collection. Players can toggle an option to see items they do not own and be aware of them, and tag cards as "For Trade", "Wanted", or "For Review".

The Deck Manager allows the players to view, clone, edit or create decks using their obtained cards. Decklists must be eligible for any deck format (except Theme) to be able to be saved. After selecting a set of 60 cards, a Deck box, Coin, and Card sleeve Gameplay item may also be selected. While the game presents an option to select a Playmat, only the default Playmat is available at this time.

Redeeming code cards

The reverse of a code card included with the Pyroar Box. The code is on the side not pictured.

Main article: Code Card

Certain physical Pokémon Trading Card Game products will come with a unique code card that can be used to redeem virtual cards or other virtual products for the TCGO. Code cards are available in physical Theme Decks, Elite Trainer Boxes, Booster packs and other products that state that they contain a code card or contain the TCGO symbol on the packaging, and unlock a respective or related product to where it was available. Promotional codes are also occasionally released for a limited time to be redeemed.

Currency

There are three currencies currently available in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.

Trainer Tokens

Main article: Trainer Token

Trainer Tokens are obtained through various means in the game and may be used to redeem non-tradable, 10-card Booster packs and non-exclusive Theme decks from available expansions, as well as Avatar and Gameplay items. Trainer Tokens were also obtained by different features in the Pokémon.com website that were discontinued in April 2019.

Event Tickets

Event Tickets are currently available in Daily Login Bonus and Versus Ladder rewards, as well by spinning the Bonus Wheel. They are used to gain access to ticket-exclusive Events by redeeming a certain amount of tickets needed to enter a given tournament.

Event Tickets were also available for purchase with real currency in the menu section found on most screens or in the Pokémon.com website up to October 30, 2018.

Tournament Keys

Tournament Keys are used to participate in key-exclusive Events by redeeming a certain amount of them needed to enter a given tournament. Unlike other currencies, 50 Tournament Keys are earned for each special Event and additional keys are not available by other means. In the game's beta stage, Tournament Keys had a different design and were envisioned to be the original currency for Tournaments but were never implemented to players, being replaced by the Tickets.

Reward systems

These multiple and overlapping Reward systems allow players to be rewarded for using the game based on their current area of interest rather than playing to any one specific Reward system. Players do not need to specifically focus on progressing within a specific Reward system track, but should instead feel free to play in the type of online Pokémon Trading Card Game matches they want and be rewarded for doing so.

Bonus Wheel

The Bonus Wheel provides an opportunity to receive special bonus rewards through participation in a Versus or Events Mode match; in Versus mode, a minimal amount of time must has passed during the battle. The Bonus Wheel contents depends on the player's performance. Current rewards include:

• Victor's Bonus Wheel: 5 Trainer Tokens ×3, 10 Trainer Tokens ×2, 15 Trainer Tokens ×1, 25 Trainer Tokens ×1, 1 Event Tickets ×2, and a Mystery Box ×1
• Basic Bonus Wheel: 1 Trainer Tokens ×4, 3 Trainer Tokens ×3, 5 Trainer Tokens ×2, and a Mystery Box ×1

Challenges

Main article: Challenge (TCGO)

The Daily Challenges reward players for playing the game on a daily basis. Players are presented with specific game related challenges starting at 9:00 AM UTC each day. Each Daily Challenge has a Pokémon Type associated with it as well as an Experience Point (or XP) value, which are applied to that given Pokémon type. Players may only accept a single challenge during a single day. The challenges may be completed anytime, however players will not be offered a new challenge until finishing their current one(s) or abandon it, except as a new day's challenge may be worked on simultaneously as players advance in Player level. Completion of challenges rewards the player with Tokens or Booster Packs.

Special Challenges work similarly to Daily Challenges but have a time limit and offer greater rewards.

Daily Login Bonus

The Daily Login Bonus provides a reward for playing Pokémon Trading Card Game Online on a daily basis simply by logging into the game. It consists of an initial track designed to help new players get started in the game, and a track that provides recurring rewards to existing players. Each reward unlocks the first time players login each day starting at 12:00 AM UTC. This reward system does not require players to login on consecutive days to maintain progress on the track. Once players complete the introductory New Player track, they are migrated to the recurring Existing Player track. There is no limit to the number of times players may complete the Existing Player track, as they are cycled back to the beginning of the track after receiving the bonus reward for the fifth day. Current rewards include:

New Player Track

• Day 1 - 1 Online-exclusive Theme deck (currently Mental Might)
• Day 2 - 25 Trainer Tokens
• Day 3 - 5 non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack (randomly selected from Standard format expansions)

Existing Player Track

• Day 1 - 5 Trainer Tokens
• Day 2 - 10 Trainer Tokens
• Day 3 - 15 Trainer Tokens
• Day 4 - 1 Event Ticket
• Day 5 - 1 non-tradable, 10-card Booster pack (randomly selected from Standard format expansions)

This system was briefly retired with the March 25, 2015 update in favor of the new Daily Challenge reward system but was reintroduced on June 2, 2015 to allow players who are not interested in pursuing Daily Challenges to continue earning daily rewards.

There is a separate Daily login bonus that may be received by logging into either Pokémon.com or TCGO each day starting at 12:00 AM UTC, which earn players/website users 12 Trainer Tokens. This Daily Login bonus to independent of the TCGO reward system.

Daily Match Bonus

The Daily Match Bonus or "Daily PvP Game Reward" awards 10 Trainer Tokens for completing the first Versus Mode match each day (12:00 AM UTC), regardless of whether players win or lose and in addition to any other rewards. All player versus player match play time minimums apply.

Game play rewards

There are several reward systems built into the four primary Play modes.

Play Mode	Brief Description of Game Play Rewards
Trainer Challenge	Earning "Stars" after defeating computer-controlled Trainers in the Trainer Challenge earns 1, 3, or 10 Trainer Tokens and a 10-card Booster pack once for each of the 36 Trainer opponents. Players additionally obtain 3 more Booster packs by earning 4 Stars with all 12 Trainers in each of the three "Leagues". Finally, purchasable Theme decks provide 1 Trainer Token after beating each of the 36 Trainers plus a 10-card Booster pack after beating the first 12 Trainers once per Theme deck.
Versus Mode	A single Trainer Token and a Bonus Wheel spin are earned when a match is played regardless of the outcome, provided minimum Minimum Playtime Requirements are met. Two additional Trainer Tokens are earned if players win again an opponent who the Player rank system determined to have the "Advantage". The Versus Ladder reward system is also integrated into Versus Mode as are all of Daily Challenges.
Events Mode	Same as Versus Mode as summarized above (except for the Versus Ladder). Additionally, players earn Tournament rewards based on Tournament type and placement. All Daily Challenges may also be completed in Events Mode.
Tutorial Mode	Each Tutorial Mode match awards players 25 to 100 Trainer Tokens (250 Trainer Tokens total) or a 10-card Booster pack and Pokémon-GX card at the last match.

Mystery Box

Mystery Boxes are earned on Bonus Wheel spins. Rewards include both static rewards (25 Trainer Token, 4 Event Tickets, a 5-card Booster pack randomly selected from current Standard format expansions) or items that are updated weekly such as a single expansion or promo card or a Gameplay item such as Coin or Card sleeve. The February 4, 2015 update increased the rewards in a Victor’s Mystery Box to include 50 Trainer Tokens, a larger Event Ticket amount, tradable single cards and tradable 10-card Booster packs.

Tournament Chests

Tournament Chests are earned at the end of Events Mode tournaments. The exact number of chests awarded, if any, depends on player placement in a tournament. Each Tournament Chest contains a random number of Trainer Tokens and a single card of Uncommon Rarity or higher from a Standard format expansion. This card's tradability depends if the tournament Chest is tradable. Only Tournament Chests from some events are tradable.

They have been renamed to Uncommon Chest, with a new item, the Holo Treasure Chest, added which contains higher sums of trainer tokens and a card of Holo Rarity or better from a Standard format expansion.

Versus Ladder

Main article: Versus Ladder (TCGO)

The Versus Ladder provides an improving stage or ladder rung of rewards for players successfully winning matches in Versus Mode. Players earn 10 Versus Points for every match they win and an additional 5 Versus Points when they win against an opponent with a rank advantage, as well as additional Versus Points equal to their current win streak times five (up to a maximum of 20). Players have 3 weeks or 21 days to progress as far as they can up the Versus Ladder before the ladder is reset.

Versus ladder rewards cycle between high rarity cards and Booster packs from the Standard and Expanded formats, often featuring Booster packs from the most recent expansion at the time of the reset.

Shopping

The in-game Shop system allows players to purchase Non-exclusive Theme decks, 10-card Booster packs, Gameplay items (Card sleeves, Coins, Deck boxes, etc.), and Avatar items with Trainer Tokens. The Shop used to allow adult players to purchase Gems and Event Tickets with real currency. The following are currently available items:

• Theme decks cost 500 Trainer Tokens.
• 10-card Booster packs cost 200 Trainer Tokens.
• Limited available Card sleeves cost 300 Trainer Tokens.
• Limited available Deck boxes cost 100 Trainer Tokens.
• Avatar items availability are limited and Trainer Tokens cost varies. A wide variety of Avatar items were also available at Pokémon.com up to April 2019.

Weekly special bundles or Blister packs with a cost range of 200 to 1265 Tokens were released for a limited amount of time, which typically included some combination of Booster pack(s), Promotional or regular card(s) and a Coin.

Between March 13, 2015 and February 27, 2018, older Non-exclusive Theme decks and Booster packs were removed following the start of a new format Rotation. With the return of these items to the shop, the release of Weekly Shop Bundles has been discontinued.

Trading

The Trade system allows players to view and create public and private trade offers in-game. Players may trade one or several items, cards, and packs in each transaction. Not every item is available for trading (appearing as "Trade Locked" items) to prevent players from creating multiple accounts to accumulate these items.

Socialization

The Social menu lets players search for online Friends, participate in Public Chats and review in-game notifications. It is one of two navigation system options available while players are competing in a Pokémon Trading Card Game match, although its feature set is adjusted to reflect the in progress match context.

Players can send friend requests to others, which allows them to engage in Friend Battles or private message them. They also have the option to block other players from interacting with them for any reason within the game, including the chat and Versus Mode matches.

Other features

Rotating features

Many in-game features are refreshed or change on a recurring basis:

Game Feature	Rotation
Daily login bonus to TCGO (12 Trainer Tokens)	Daily, 12:00 AM UTC
Daily Match Bonus (10 Trainer Tokens)	Daily, 12:00 AM UTC
Daily Login Bonus reward system rotation	Daily, 12:00 AM UTC
Daily Challenge reward system rotation	Daily, 10:00 AM UTC
Weekly Tournament rotation	Monday, 7:00 PM UTC

Avatar Creator

Main article: Avatar Item

The player's avatar is a purely cosmetic feature.

Gameplay items

Gameplay items include Card sleeves, Coins, and Deck boxes and are purely cosmetic. They may be purchased from time to time in the in-game shop, available through Redemption codes provided with the purchase of physical products or may be traded for with other players. Playmats are unavailable in the game, though there is an option to select one in the Deck Manager.

Child accounts

Main article: Pokémon.com, User profile

While the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online strives to be child friendly, parents may further restrict access to certain in-game features by signing into the parent's account on Pokémon.com, selecting the child's account under the parent account, and selecting Pokémon TCG Online Settings. Some in-game features are inaccessible in child accounts, such as Public Chat and Private Messaging, while other in-game features are restricted by limiting available options.

Guest Mode

The game can be played without a Pokémon Trainer Club account, but features such as Events Mode and avatar customization are disabled for guest players. The guest player's cards and other items are transferred to the new account when creating one inside the game.

Player level

Main article: Challenge (TCGO)

Player level strictly corresponds to player progress in the Daily Challenge reward system and allows the player to unlock better Challenges/rewards and cosmetic items.

Player rank

The Leaderboard systems are based on each player's performance in Versus and Events Mode individually. At the beginning of matches, the highest-ranking player is identified to have an "Advantage" over their opponent. The leaderboard is public and resets inside the game every three weeks.

Miscellaneous

Match Inactivity

If the server determines that players are inactive too long in Versus or Events Mode, it will display a 15 second warning. Ignoring the warning causes players to lose matches. This activity mechanism is designed to help insure players do not take advantage of another player.

Minimum Playtime Requirement

During Versus and Events Mode matches, Trainer Tokens and Bonus Wheel rewards are only earned if matches last at least 2 minutes or 5 minutes for forfeiting players, which guarantees a reward to the opponent regardless of time spent. This change was designed to discourage players for only playing long enough to earn their rewards.

Loss of Internet Connection

During online matches in Events Mode, players that lose their internet connection have 5 minutes to log back into the game before their opponent is declared the winner. When the internet connection is lost by an opponent, players are notified with a pop-up message.

Retired game features

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online has been in continual development since its initial inception. Often updates involve the addition of new rules and card as new expansion sets are released, the resolution of program errors, player interface changes improving usability, and the addition or re-addition of new game features. Occasionally, updates to the game involve the removal of previously existing game features.

Booster Credits

This former in-game Currency was originally used with Redemption code cards found in physical Booster packs. Booster Credits could be redeemed for Booster packs of the player’s choice in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online from HeartGold & SoulSilver through Boundaries Crossed expansions. This Redemption code card method ended with the release of the Plasma Storm expansion when codes from a specific expansion Booster pack became redeemable for a virtual version of that specific Booster pack. The Booster Credit system officially ended on July 1, 2013. Players who still had remaining Booster Credits after the February 7, 2014 update automatically had their credits redeemed for Boundaries Crossed Booster packs.

Diamond League

A higher league, fourth "Diamond League" existed in the Trainer Challenge prior to the February 7, 2014 update.

Practice Battle

Practice Battle was originally an option in Versus Mode found under Ranked Battle. Practice Battle matches did not count toward player Player rank or let the player earn rewards. The Practice Battle option was retired on March 25, 2015, and Ranked Battles became the standard Versus Mode matches.

Achievements

Main article: Achievements (TCGO)

The Achievements reward system was another feature retired on March 25, 2015, and had no special effect on the game.

Quick Match

Quick Matches were a single player mode using a randomly selected Theme deck that players have unlocked against another randomly selected player. The match did not count toward Player rank, earn Trainer Tokens, or a Bonus Wheel spin.

Gems

Gems were only available to adult players in Canada for testing and were purchased in the in-game Shop, from April 19, 2013 to October 29, 2018. Similar to Trainer Tokens, Gems were used to purchase products from the in-game Shop or used as a currency for trading with other players. Gems were typically equal to 2 Trainer Tokens.

Players were able to redeem Gems for in-game items until December 10, 2018. After that date, all unspent Gems were automatically converted into in-game Lost Thunder booster packs and Trainer Tokens.

History

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online was originally released on March 24, 2011 as a Flash, web-based game. The game was subsequently redesigned as a downloadable game utilizing the Unity engine and relauched on May 15, 2012 for Windows, on November 5, 2012 for macOS, and on September 30, 2014 for iOS on iPad. The original browser-based version continued to function until August 8, 2012. Development continues on the downloadable version even after it officially emerged from open beta testing in February 2015.

The reprogramming and relaunch of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online initially required the removal of all game features except for the Trainer Challenge and the now retired Achievements reward system. Other features were gradually readded or added over time:

Avatar Creator — While rudimentary Avatar options (4 male and 4 female) were reintroduced on June 12, 2012, true functionality was not reintroduced until the June 20, 2013 update. Collection viewer, Deck Manager, Social menu, and Player Profile — Reintroduced on August 21, 2012. Versus Mode — Also reintroduced on August 21, 2012 and Deck formats introduced on December 12, 2012. In-game Shop — Also reintroducted on August 21, 2012 (initially allowing for just Code Redemption and Booster pack purchases through the now retired Booster Credit system) with the current Gems system added on April 19, 2013 and the Trainer Token system on July 25, 2013. Trade interface — Reintroduced with the October 24, 2012 update. Daily Login Bonus and Daily Match Bonus reward systems — Introduced on January 16, 2013 as two parallel reward systems. Both were temporarily retired on March 25, 2015 in favor of the new Daily Challenge reward system, but the Daily Match Bonus was subsequently reintroduced on April 23, 2015 and the Daily Login Bonus on June 2, 2015. Booster pack, Exclusive TCGO 5-card — Introduced with the July 25, 2013 update. Player rank — "Advantage" notification feature added on October 2, 2013. "Play as a Guest" option — Introduced in October 2013. Player Interface overhaul — Substantial changes to the game interface began in mid-2013 and continued to early 2014, which allowed for the introduction of the touchscreen based iPad client in September 2014. A streamlining of the overall game menu navigation system was introduced on July 14, 2015. Tournament Mode — Introduced for testing with the March 27, 2014 update with occasional trial Tournament special events until it officially premiered on February 5, 2015 and continuously running tournaments on February 24, 2015. Bonus Wheel and Mystery Box — Added with the June 24, 2014 update, while the February 4, 2015 update split the Bonus Wheel into a Victor's and a Loser's Bonus Wheel. Tutorials Mode — Two match based Tutorials added on August 14, 2014. Five additional Tutorials with XY Basic Yellow Starter Theme Deck and Tutorial Reward Ladder added on July 14, 2015. Pokémon Trainer Club — Added ability for players to register for a Pokémon Trainer Club account from within the game on September 3, 2014. Daily Challenge — Implemented on March 25, 2015 replacing the briefly retired Daily Login Bonus and Daily Match Bonus and retired Achievements reward systems. The June 2, 2015 update reduced the requirements for Evolution challenges by ½ and Knock Out challenges by 10, replaced challenges with a "Play Basic Pokémon" completion requirement to a "Do damage to opposing Pokémon" requirement, and temporarily removed all challenges with Special Condition completion requirements. Special Challenges and Tournament Chests — Implemented with the May 6, 2015 update. Versus Ladder — Introduced on July 14, 2015 to complement the other existing Reward systems. Tournament Keys — Introduced on August 11, 2020 to replace the need of Event Tickets to play the Player's Cup Qualifiers and other future special tournaments.

Sunsetting

With the announcement of the successor Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, resources for TCG Online would gradually be redirected to TCG Live until the former's shutdown.

As of March 1, 2023, new card expansions would no longer be added to TCG Online, with the final expansion added being Crown Zenith. As a result, code cards for later expansions cannot be redeemed in TCG Online. TCG Online will also not apply the 2023 Pokémon TCG Standard Format Rotation and Pokémon Tool Errata. In-game Versus Ladder reward tracks will still be supported, however.

In other languages

Language Title French Jeu de Cartes à Collectionner Pokémon Online Cartes à Jouer et à Collectionner Pokemon Online German Pokémon Sammelkartenspiel Online Italian Gioco di Carte Collezionabili Pokémon Online Brazilian Portuguese Pokémon Estampas Ilustradas Online Russian Коллекционная Карточная Игра Покемон Онлайн Kollektsionnaya Kartochnaya Igra Pokémon Onlain Spanish Juego de Cartas Coleccionables Pokémon Online

See also

• Pokémon Trading Card Game
• List of Pokémon Trading Card Game Online distributions

External links

• Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
• Download Pokémon Trading Card Game Online
• Pokémon Trading Card Game Online official forums

References

Spin-off Pokémon series Pikachu series: Hey You, Pikachu! • Channel • Dash TCG: Game Boy TCG series: Trading Card Game • Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR! Play It! series: Play It! • Play It! Version 2 TCG Client series: Card Game Online • Trading Card Game Online • Trading Card Game Live Misc. TCG: Say Tap? • Card Game: How to Play DS • Card Game Entry Battle Card Game Gacha • TCG Card Dex • Digital Raid Battle Assistant Trading Card Game Pocket Super Smash Bros. series: Super Smash Bros. • Melee • Brawl • for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U • Ultimate Snap series: Snap • New Pokémon Snap Picross: Picross NP Vol. 1 • Picross (GBC) (canceled) • Picross (3DS) Pinball series: Pinball • Pinball: RS Puzzle series: Puzzle League • Puzzle Challenge Trozei series: Trozei! • Battle Trozei Mystery Dungeon series: Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team Explorers of Time & Explorers of Darkness • Explorers of Sky Blazing, Stormy & Light Adventure Squad Gates to Infinity • Super Mystery Dungeon • Rescue Team DX Ranger series: Ranger • Shadows of Almia • Guardian Signs Puck series: Battrio • Tretta (Tretta Lab) • Ga-Olé • Mezastar • Frienda Rumble series: Rumble • Rumble Blast • Rumble U • Rumble World • Rumble Rush PokéPark series: PokéPark Wii • PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Detective Pikachu series: Detective Pikachu • Detective Pikachu Returns Playground: Pokémon Detective Pikachu Pokémon game templates Core series • Side series • Spin-off series • Pokémon mini • Individual spin-offs • Betas • Demos

This article is part of both Project Sidegames and Project TCG, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on video games about the TCG.