Fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket have been raving about its stunning card art for months, but a recent discovery has added a new layer of excitement. It turns out that some of the game's cards contain hidden details that link them directly to the classic Game Boy Pokémon games, sparking a wave of enthusiasm among players.
The intrigue began over the weekend when Reddit user asch_win highlighted a Spearow card that features more than just the Normal/Flying type Pokémon. The card's background includes grass, a fence, trees, and two distinct buildings. Asch_win pointed out that the purple and yellow building in the background is none other than the Celadon City Department Store from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Just to the left of Celadon City lies Route 16, known for its fenced-in grassy area where players can encounter Spearow.
The location of image! byu/asch_win inPTCGP
It's clear that developers Creatures Inc. and DeNA have intentionally crafted these cards to pay homage to the iconic games that propelled Pokémon into a global phenomenon. But the Easter eggs don't stop with Spearow. Another Reddit user, jteede, discovered further connections to the early titles, such as a full-art Diglett card set just East of Vermillion City and a Haunter card positioned next to the eerie Lavender Town tower. Asch_win also used a magnifying glass to uncover that some Supporter cards reference specific locations from Pokémon's rich history.
While most card illustrations depict Pokémon in whimsical, dreamlike settings without direct ties to the lore, some cards, like a particular Pikachu variant, are recognizable as collectibles from the real world. Others, however, are exclusive to Pokémon TCG Pocket, where players are uncovering these cleverly hidden references.
The Pokémon TCG Pocket community has been buzzing all weekend, meticulously examining other cards for more hidden gems. Notable finds include the S.S. Anne cruise liner subtly featured in a Gyarados full art card, and a trio of Oddish, Venonat, and Bellsprout cards that together narrate a story set near the seaside Snorlax location from FireRed and LeafGreen.
Let's visit our beloved Supporters! byu/asch_win inPTCGP
Since its launch for mobile gaming fans in October, Pokémon TCG Pocket has released only one additional booster expansion set, Mythical Island, bringing the total to four packs available. More sets are expected to be released in the future, with new cards occasionally added through Wonder Pick Events and other updates. As Creatures and DeNA continue to introduce cards from various generations, players should keep their eyes peeled for more nostalgic references.
In the meantime, you can learn more about the current Wonder Pick event, which highlights Charmander and Squirtle. Also, don't miss out on why the developers are being coy about whether pack choice matters.
