As a person that cannot stand “Pokemon,” I had never really gotten into the craze of the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG). Early on for about the first seven years of its existence, the Pokemon TCG was published by Wizards of the Coast. Wizards of the Coast was the same publisher that helped bring “Magic: The Gathering” (MTG).

After 2003, Nintendo took over the publication.

I have seen the craze of the Pokemon TCG. However, the much older and experienced TCG players such as myself, stuck to MTG. In a sense, it somewhat plays like MTG. One would have to have the basic skills of arithmetic and basic card reading. Instead of you actually attacking your opponent, your Pokemon battles your opponent’s Pokemon just like in the actual anime series.

At this local comic book shop I used to hang out at, I would be playing MTG with many people. When I come over in the daytime, I see that the place is populated by elementary and middle school kids who had given into the craze of Pokemon. Since the anime and the games themselves have generated much popularity, it is not surprising that the TCG has generated much buzz around the world.

There are three ways to win a match:

The first way is to win a set of “prize cards.” You get that by knocking out your opponents’ Pokemon. Typically, each player has up to six prize cards.

The second way is to knock out all of your opponent’s active Pokemon. They are the ones in battle.

The third way is if your opponent loses his/her cards in a deck.

There are five different types of cards: Pokemon, energy cards, trainer cards, supporter cards, and stadium cards. This card system very much keeps true to the spirit and core of the Pokemon franchise.

Pokemon cards are the core of the game. These cards depict the actual Pokemon in the games and the series. You have your Pikachu, Mew Two, Charmander, Squirtle, Arbok, Blastoise, Farfetch, and so forth. When you put a Pokemon card in play, you are using an actual Pokemon. You many only have up to six active Pokemon in play at one time. After that, you cannot put anymore Pokemon onto the field until one of them is out of commission.

Each of them requires energy which brings up the Energy cards. Like the series and the games, each Pokemon has a different alignment: fighting, fire, grass, lightning, psychic, water, darkness, and metal. These energy cards enable Pokemon to execute certain attacks on your opponents’ Pokemon.

Anybody with experience with TCGs should be able to pick up on playing Pokemon. In a sense, anybody can play the game as the Pokemon TCG is designated for mainly kids. Kids are he viewing base of Pokemon.

Like MTG, there is really no set way to victory. You’re going to have to learn about the different types of Pokemon and how to play them. In a sense, you will have to play one strategy after another.

In a sense, it is educational as it encourages kids to use more logic. Overall, if you like TCGs and you like Pokemon, then get it. If you have children that are into Pokemon, might as well get them some.

Keep in mind, like any other TCGs, the Pokemon TCG can become a very expensive hobby.