Pokemon TCG Pocket fixes decades-old Poke Ball error with new card back
The Pokemon CompanyThe recently announced Pokemon TCG Pocket app has seemingly fixed a multiple decade-long visual error involving card backs.
The Pokemon Presents event on February 27, 2024, announced several updates and additions to the Pokemon franchise in the months and years to come.
One of those announcements was Pokemon TCG Pocket—a brand new mobile app dedicated to the long-running Pokemon Trading Card Game.
However, some longtime fans spotted one massive change this upcoming mobile app made to Pokemon card backs. One that fixed an infamous visual error that’s been present for decades.
Pokemon TCG Pocket to fix glaring visual error on card backs
As pointed out in a now-viral post by user TAHK0 on X, Pokemon TCG Pocket has changed the iconic card backs for US TCG fans.
With this change, they pointed out the visual error revolving around the Poke Balls on the old US card back: the Ball opens up from the wrong side.
Anyone who has played the mainline Pokemon games or seen the anime knows that Poke Balls have opened up a certain way for a very long time now. Specifically, the silver half of the Ball moves down while the button and black border remain attached to the red upper half.
However, the English card back, which became the standard after Wizards of the Coast released it in 1999, shows the middle button attached to the silver half of the Pokemon. As such, the card art may look off to Pokemon fans who know their lore.
Notably, the original Japanese card back also included the same error but was fixed in 2002.
The TCG answer is that they can’t update the back of the card without invalidating every prior card from play because it essentially marks the cards & makes it possible to ‘cheat’
— NintendoFanGirl 🔜 #PAXEast (@NintendoFanGirl) February 28, 2024
Fine for tournaments where there are sleeve rules anyway but it’s not a change they can easily make
As one knowledgeable TCG fan in the replies pointed out, changing card backs is much easier said than done. “The TCG answer is that they can’t update the back of the card without invalidating every prior card from play because it essentially marks the cards & makes it possible to ‘cheat.’
It’s unclear if this change will apply to future versions of physical cards. For now, Pokemon TCG Pocket will certainly be using this new design going forward, at the very least.
