To say Pokemon has been a cash cow for Nintendo is quite an understatement. From the original cards to the cartoon/movies and games based on this franchise, Nintendo definitely made the right choice in bringing it over to North America. One game in particular would seem to go against the spirit of the card game by not allowing purchase of more cards. That game is Pokemon Trading Card Game on the Game Boy, and Game Boy Color.
Pokemon Trading Card Game features all of the cards released beteen 1998 and 1999, and more than a couple of exclusive to the game cards. Since the Game Boy/Color had no Internet connection, and In App Purchases weren't popularized yet, Nintendo was kind of forced to give players more content than would be provided in today's market.
For those unfamiliar with Pokemon Trading Card Game, at least the video game version, you are tasked with collecting all of the cards in the game, much like the show and other media. Traveling and competing in challenges with other players will earn you booster packs of random cards.
Battles are just like the actual card game, turn based affairs and winner takes all. Nintendo has not re-leased Pokemon Trading Card Game on any newer platforms so interested gamers are stuck going to sites like Ebay.
This game was such an important step into understanding the game as a kid and ultimately into me collecting cards now that I wish they would make a new handheld version. There is the online tcg, which is fun to stream, but still a dedicated RPG would be so cool to have now.
I completely agree. Though, I got out of TCG style games when I got into Magic the Gathering, had a few hundred cards. I went into the Marines, came back after Boot and decided to check out Magic again to pass the time. I took some of my cards to a local comic/card shop and ended up getting out altogether when another customer offered to trade his car for some rainbow hydra or something that I had in my binder.
Looking back now, having been a reseller for a few years now, I probably should have taken the hint and instead of leaving TCG's I should have gotten into the more popular ones and turned a profit. Lol.
I loved this Pokemon game on Game Boy though. I actually bought a copy off eBay before realizing my Game Boy was broke so I bought a Game Boy Color that didn't have a battery door or something else wrong that made it go super cheap.