Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket gamers have gushed over its card artwork for months, however many are simply now realizing that a few of its monsters have been hiding particulars that join them to the Game Boy video games.
Investigations into some Pokémon playing cards’ clues started over the weekend when Reddit consumer asch_win identified that Spearow options just a few acquainted landmarks. The Normal/Flying sort is surrounded by grass, a fence, just a few bushes, and, most notably, two buildings. These should not simply any buildings, nonetheless, as asch_win clarifies that the purple and yellow background constructing truly seems to be Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Celadon City Department Store. Just off to the left of Celadon City is the Kanto area’s Route 16, which simply so occurs to incorporate a fenced-in patch of grass the place gamers have an opportunity to catch Spearow.
It appears simple that builders Creatures Inc. and DeNA deliberately created the cardboard to reference the enduring video games that helped launch Pokémon into the phenomenon it’s right this moment, however Pokémon TCG Pocket’s enjoyable particulars don’t cease there. Reddit consumer jteede noticed much more connections to early titles, together with a full-art Diglett card set simply East of Vermillion City, a Haunter card situated subsequent to the notorious Lavender Town tower, and extra. Asch_win additionally brought a magnifying glass up to a few of the Supporter cards, revealing that they, too, reference particular areas from Pokémon historical past.
Most card illustrations’ settings present monsters dwelling their lives in dreamlike areas, seemingly with out ties to Pokémon lore. Some, together with one Pikachu variant, may even be acknowledged as playing cards that may be collected in the actual world. Others, nonetheless, exist solely inside Pokémon TCG Pocket, which is the place many gamers are discovering these well-hidden Easter Eggs.
The Pokémon TCG Pocket group has now spent the weekend choosing aside different playing cards looking for further references. Highlights embody what seems to be the S.S. Anne cruise liner tucked away in a Gyarados full artwork card in addition to Oddish, Venonat, and Bellsprout playing cards that each one come collectively to inform a narrative set by FireRed and LeafGreen’s seaside Snorlax.
Only one further booster enlargement set, titled Mythical Island, has been launched for Pokémon TCG Pocket because it got here to cellular gaming followers in October, bringing its complete to 4 packs to select from. More are, in fact, anticipated to launch sooner or later, with further playing cards often worming their manner into collections by way of Wonder Pick Events and different updates. As Creatures and DeNA proceed to ship extra playing cards from throughout the collection’ many generations, gamers ought to remember to hold an eye fixed out for every other references.
In the meantime, you possibly can learn up on the present Wonder Pick occasion, which places Charmander and Squirtle middle stage. Be certain to additionally take a look at why the builders are enjoying coy about whether or not pack selection issues or not.
Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He began writing within the trade in 2017 and is finest recognized for his work at retailers comparable to The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be certain to provide him a comply with on Twitter @MikeCripe.
