https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/feb/05/i-loved-pokemon-trading-card-pocket-until-i-didnt-pushing-buttons

​Some games are meant to be played forever, but you have to know when to pull the plug, even if you haven’t finished it

For months now I have been in the thrall of Pokémon Trading Card Pocket. It’s a devilishly slick blend of card-collecting and pared-down battling that has had me obediently opening the app on my phone at least twice a day since it launched. The virtual cards are beautifully done; the rare art cards especially, with their pastoral scenes of Pokémon in their natural habitats. I have spent many hours on the battles, too, honing decks and chasing win streaks to earn myself victory emblems. I got most of my friends into it, anticipating the day when its makers at DeNa would finally enable trading so I could fill the last couple of holes in my collection.