Pokémon TCG Pocket's first major expansion, Space-Time Smackdown, is here and it's fantastic. Much more than just extra cards for the popular digital card game., the expansion establishes Pokémon TCG Pocket as a game I'll be returning to as long as the developers keep up the pace of new releases.

The Pokémon Company probably sees the circuitousness of Pocket ’s trading system as a clever way to make the game stickier. But compared to other tactics like Pocket ’s regular events built around battling, it feels somewhat predatory and like something that doesn’t offer much value to players.

For beginners, this game serves as a fantastic entry point into the complex world of Pokémon TCG. By removing the intimidating layers of mechanics from the original format, Pocket provides a smooth learning curve. After just a few matches, even new players will feel confident enough to explore the deeper strategies of the full TCG.

The update bringing trading to Pokémon TCG Pocket went live earlier today, and if you’re not seeing it yet that means you need to go to your app store of choice and manually force the update. After it installs,

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has launched its anticipated new trading update, but it has generated increased disappointment rather than satisfaction. The launch of the trading feature in the Pokemon TCG angered players beyond their initial disappointment from learning the update one week ago.

Trading allows you to exchange your cards with friends in Pokémon TCG Pocket — with a few limitations. Trades will come at the cost of Trade Tokens and Trade Stamina, and will allow you to get your hands on cards you’ve been missing or cards that you want to hoard.