Parents' Guide to Pokémon TCG

Welcome to the World of Pokémon

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a 2-player game in which players use 60-card decks to battle. In the Pokémon TCG, players build decks around cards that feature Pokémon characters, and then take turns using attacks to try to defeat their opponent. The game requires some strategy and planning to win.

Product selection guide

Need help finding the best Pokémon product for your player?
Choose a play style below to see our recommendations.

    • Pin Collections

      Each one features a special Pokémon with both a card and collector’s pin, a special collectible of their favorite Pokémon.

    • Pokémon V Boxes

      Special sets that include an oversize card featuring a popular Pokémon.

    • Poké Ball Tins

      Booster packs in a fun shaped tin.

    • Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy

      A Pokémon Trading Card Game experience in a board game format. A great set that helps guide you through learning to play for the first time.

    • Theme Decks

      Buy two and play with a friend!

    • Pokémon V Tins

      New tins come out multiple times a year with fan-favorite Pokémon characters, and the tin is a great holder for your cards.

    • Elite Trainer Boxes

      Both collectors and competitive Pokémon TCG players will find a lot to enjoy in this special collector’s box that is loaded with booster packs, card sleeves, a player’s guide, and much more!

    • Build & Battle Box

      Put together a 40-card deck for a quick and fun game!

    • League Battle Decks

      Loaded with powerful cards and major Pokémon, this deck is ready to play and comes with additional gaming accessories.

    • Trainer’s Toolkit

      Contains the items you need and a guide to get started on building a deck for play!

    • Pin Collections

      Each one features a special Pokémon with both a card and collector’s pin, a special collectible of their favorite Pokémon.

    • Pokémon V Boxes

      Special sets that include an oversize card featuring a popular Pokémon.

    • Poké Ball Tins

      Booster packs in a fun shaped tin.

    • Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy

      A Pokémon Trading Card Game experience in a board game format. A great set that helps guide you through learning to play for the first time.

    • Theme Decks

      Buy two and play with a friend!

    • Pokémon V Tins

      New tins come out multiple times a year with fan-favorite Pokémon characters, and the tin is a great holder for your cards.

    • Elite Trainer Boxes

      Both collectors and competitive Pokémon TCG players will find a lot to enjoy in this special collector’s box that is loaded with booster packs, card sleeves, a player’s guide, and much more!

    • Build & Battle Box

      Put together a 40-card deck for a quick and fun game!

    • League Battle Decks

      Loaded with powerful cards and major Pokémon, this deck is ready to play and comes with additional gaming accessories.

    • Trainer’s Toolkit

      Contains the items you need and a guide to get started on building a deck for play!

    • Pin Collections

      Each one features a special Pokémon with both a card and collector’s pin, a special collectible of their favorite Pokémon.

    • Pokémon V Boxes

      Special sets that include an oversize card featuring a popular Pokémon.

    • Poké Ball Tins

      Booster packs in a fun shaped tin.

    • Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy

      A Pokémon Trading Card Game experience in a board game format. A great set that helps guide you through learning to play for the first time.

    • Theme Decks

      Buy two and play with a friend!

    • Pokémon V Tins

      New tins come out multiple times a year with fan-favorite Pokémon characters, and the tin is a great holder for your cards.

    • Elite Trainer Boxes

      Both collectors and competitive Pokémon TCG players will find a lot to enjoy in this special collector’s box that is loaded with booster packs, card sleeves, a player’s guide, and much more!

    • Build & Battle Box

      Put together a 40-card deck for a quick and fun game!

    • League Battle Decks

      Loaded with powerful cards and major Pokémon, this deck is ready to play and comes with additional gaming accessories.

    • Trainer’s Toolkit

      Contains the items you need and a guide to get started on building a deck for play!

Our recommendations for Card FansFriendly BattlersCompetitive Battler

  • Pin Collections

    Each one features a special Pokémon with both a card and collector’s pin, a special collectible of their favorite Pokémon.

  • Pokémon V Boxes

    Special sets that include an oversize card featuring a popular Pokémon.

  • Poké Ball Tins

    Booster packs in a fun shaped tin.

  • Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy

    A Pokémon Trading Card Game experience in a board game format. A great set that helps guide you through learning to play for the first time.

  • Theme Decks

    Buy two and play with a friend!

  • Pokémon V Tins

    New tins come out multiple times a year with fan-favorite Pokémon characters, and the tin is a great holder for your cards.

  • Elite Trainer Boxes

    Both collectors and competitive Pokémon TCG players will find a lot to enjoy in this special collector’s box that is loaded with booster packs, card sleeves, a player’s guide, and much more!

  • Build & Battle Box

    Put together a 40-card deck for a quick and fun game!

  • League Battle Decks

    Loaded with powerful cards and major Pokémon, this deck is ready to play and comes with additional gaming accessories.

  • Trainer’s Toolkit

    Contains the items you need and a guide to get started on building a deck for play!

Bring the world of Pokémon to family game night with this all-in-one collection!

Easy to Learn,
Fun to Play!

Everything you need to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game is here! Pokémon TCG Battle Academy is a great and easy first step toward learning how to battle with your Pokémon trading cards.

Learn More

Fun for All Ages

The world of Pokémon is approachable and entertaining for people of all ages, from children to their parents and grandparents. Whether through the games or just learning about the Pokémon themselves, Pokémon offers endless opportunities to connect through an amazing cast of creatures and characters.

Play how you want

The Pokémon Trading Card Game has a clear set of rules that delivers a unique and fun gaming experience for all ages. But many children, create their own ways to play. This is great! Interacting with the cards in these ways stimulates creativity and collaboration. It also establishes familiarity with the Pokémon and the cards so children will be better suited to make the jump to the official rules when they’re ready.

Categorize and Organize

Some of the ways children like to play with cards include categorizing them by groups, or organizing them by their hit points (HP) or level. In these ways, kids get practice with concepts such as numbers, colors, and abstract categorization. And the best part is that they’re having fun playing the whole time!

Battles for Beginners

Some children really like to create their own games with Pokémon TCG cards, often with simple rules. For example, they use the cards to battle based on the HP of the Pokémon, or create games based on the official rules of the game, but with certain rules ignored.

Collect and Trade

Of course, it is not necessary to play the game at all to have fun with Pokémon TCG cards. Many kids simply love to collect cards featuring their favorite Pokémon. The cards feature all kinds of art styles that can be exciting for fans to seek out and share with friends. Many kids like to trade cards with friends, but it’s important to educate children on the relative value of cards and the consequences of trading.

Select your region

You are about to leave a site operated by The Pokémon Company International, Inc.

The Pokémon Company International is not responsible for the content of any linked website that is not operated by The Pokémon Company International. Please note that these websites' privacy policies and security practices may differ from The Pokémon Company International's standards.

Continue

Click Continue to visit PokemonCenter.com, our official online shop. The privacy and security policies differ.

Continue