Nintendo’s new Pokemon mobile game blends nostalgia with a tried-and-true format, but its long-term success is far from guaranteed.

Launched globally at the end of October on the iOS and Android app stores, Nintendo’s latest mobile game title, Pokemon TCG Pocket, has drawn significant attention since its release, with Bloomberg citing Apptopia data that estimates USD 101 million in revenue and over 38 million downloads in the first 25 days post-launch.

Sensor Tower ranked the game the tenth highest global revenue generator for October, estimating 8.8 million downloads and USD 42 million revenue for that month alone, despite its late-October debut. Furthermore, AppMagic data highlights Japan (42%) and the US (28%) as the top contributors to the game’s revenue. Both countries, alongside Brazil, are also the top three leading markets in terms of downloads.

Pokemon TCG Pocket operates on a freemium model, offering free gameplay while generating income through an optional USD 10 monthly subscription. Players can also purchase in-game currency to unlock virtual items such as card packs and accessories. While this model often attracts a broad user base during the early stages of a game’s lifecycle, sustaining revenue and engagement over time can be challenging. For example, revenue from Pokemon Go has steadily declined since peaking in 2020, according to Statista, potentially explaining Nintendo’s decision to diversify its portfolio with new titles.

Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter told Bloomberg that the Pokemon TCG Pocket is projected to generate up to USD 250 million annually in profits for Nintendo, which reportedly receives 32% of the game’s profit. Pachter added that this analysis indicates Pokemon TCG Pocket’s long-term potential may fall short of the success achieved by its augmented reality predecessor, Pokemon Go, co-developed by Nintendo and Niantic.

Nonetheless, the new game represents Nintendo’s effort to adapt the mechanics of its classic trading card game for a digital, mobile-first audience, targeting both longtime fans and new players. Its launch mirrors a broader trend of digitalizing collectible card games, alongside established titles like Yu-gi-oh and Magic: The Gathering. It also faces competition from lore-driven mobile apps such as Hearthstone, Activision Blizzard’s 2014 Warcraft spinoff.

Pokemon TCG Pocket is developed by Nintendo in collaboration with DeNA and Creatures Inc. Both firms are affiliated with Nintendo. Nintendo holds a stake in DeNA and shares ownership of the Pokemon franchise with Creatures Inc. The game is available in nine languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Chinese (Simplified).

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