An upcoming expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game will serve as a collaboration with the hit mobile game Pokémon GO. The beloved monster collection franchise began in 1996 with the release of Pokémon Red and Blue, and since then it has evolved into a massive multimedia juggernaut. A Pokémon GO trading card expansion was first announced back in February, and fans now know exactly what to expect once the unique collaboration arrives.
Pokémon first began as a role-playing video game series that tasks players with traveling a vast world and collecting a huge roster of different pocket monsters. The series’ huge host of different creatures, and the straightforward task of catching them all, led to immediate popularity and prompted the creation of spin-off media like an anime series and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The 2016 alternate reality mobile game Pokémon GO is a popular recent entry which further immerses players in the Pokémon world, and it has tied into other parts of the franchise through events like the Secrets of the Jungle movie event focusing on the Pokémon Zarude.
Now The Pokémon Company has announced new details about the upcoming crossover between the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon GO. The upcoming card expansion will officially launch on July 1, and fans now known exactly where they can find the unique Pokémon GO-themed sets. The first wave will include a Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box Plus, an Elite Trainer Box, a Poké Ball tin, a Pin Collection and more. The cards themselves have not yet been revealed, however, so fans will need to wait a little longer before they catch a glimpse at how Pokémon GO inspired the new Pokémon Trading Card Game set.
While the upcoming Pokémon GO expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game looks expansive, a smaller crossover event was held back in March 2021. A card of Pokémon GO’s Professor Willow, who guides the player through the AR experience, was added to Pokémon TCG as a way to honor the franchise’s 25 year anniversary. Many festivities were held throughout the year, with the card based on Pokémon GO’s esteemed researcher being just one of many. This was only a single card, however, with the upcoming Pokémon GO and TCG collaboration reportedly being much more substantial.
The Pokémon franchise has been a pop culture staple for more than 25 years, and communication between its various elements is a large part of that success. Despite being two completely different mediums, Pokémon TCG and Pokémon GO will soon come together to deliver creative crossover cards. There will be many different expansion sets available, so players should be prepared to catch ’em all starting July 1.
Pokémon GO is available on iOS and Android.
