GameTimeline

Release & story order

Digital Pokémon TCG timeline

Digital Pokémon Trading Card Game experiences in US release order—from the Game Boy Color RPG and PC tutorial discs through TCG Online, TCG Live, and TCG Pocket. Physical booster sets and card lists are not tracked here; mainline Pokémon RPGs have their own timeline.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When each Pokémon TCG video game reached US players—handheld RPG, PC tutorial, or free-to-play digital clients. Dates use US launch or first wide US availability.

  • Learn the rules → Play It! (1999) or the Game Boy Color game (2000)
  • Play today → Pokémon TCG Live on PC or mobile; Pocket for a separate mobile collection app
  • Mainline RPGs → separate timeline (not required for any TCG game)
  • Physical card expansions → not listed on this page
Story order tips

No shared plot across these games—each is a separate way to learn or play the card rules. Story order matches release order only for historical context.

  • Game Boy Color → standalone RPG with card battles—not a retelling of any mainline game
  • TCG Online → replaced by TCG Live in 2023; accounts could migrate cards
  • TCG Pocket → new mobile ruleset and economy—parallel to Live, not a sequel story
  • Japan-only Card GB2 → FAQ only; US players can skip

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Pokémon Play It!

    Pokémon Play It!

    PCTutorialDigital TCG

    Interactive PC tutorial for the physical TCG—Version 1 (1999) and Version 2 (2000).

    Overview
    Early digital onboarding for the real-world Pokémon TCG—rules, sample decks, and practice matches on CD-ROM.
    In-game setting
    Version 2 adds Neo-era cards; not a full simulator like later Online/Live clients.
    Should you play it?
    Historical curiosity—modern players start with Live or Pocket instead.
    Release date
    US Version 1 October 4, 1999; Version 2 followed in 2000.
  2. Pokémon Trading Card Game

    Pokémon Trading Card Game

    GBCHandheldRPG

    Game Boy Color RPG—card battles, clubs, and a rival story separate from mainline Pokémon.

    Overview
    Hudson Soft adapts the physical TCG into a single-player JRPG with overworld exploration and deck building.
    In-game setting
    Includes Base through Neo-era card pools in the US release; Japan got a Card GB2 sequel that never left Japan.
    Should you play it?
    Still fun retro entry; also playable via Nintendo Switch Online in some regions—see FAQ.
    Release date
    US Game Boy Color release April 10, 2000.
  3. Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

    Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

    PCMaciOSAndroidDigital TCGLive service

    Free digital client for the real-world Standard/Expanded card pools—shut down June 2023.

    Overview
    Official online play with codes from physical booster packs; started as a browser beta in 2011, relaunched as a download in 2012.
    In-game setting
    Left open beta in 2015; iPad and Android tablet support followed.
    Should you play it?
    Historical—new players should use TCG Live; migration window was offered at shutdown.
    Release date
    US downloadable launch May 15, 2012 (Windows); servers closed June 5, 2023 ahead of TCG Live.
  4. Pokémon Trading Card Game Live

    Pokémon Trading Card Game Live

    PCMaciOSAndroidDigital TCGLive service

    Successor to TCG Online—current official digital client for the physical TCG ruleset.

    Overview
    Unity-based rebuild with refreshed UI, battle pass-style progression, and cross-platform ranked play.
    In-game setting
    Global launch followed years of regional betas (Canada 2022 → worldwide 2022–2023).
    Should you play it?
    Default way to play the real card game online today on PC or mobile.
    Release date
    Global launch June 8, 2023; TCG Online removed from stores June 5, 2023.
  5. Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

    Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

    iOSAndroidMobileDigital TCG

    Mobile-first collection app—simplified battles, daily packs, and immersive card art.

    Overview
    Creatures and DeNA—two free packs per day, Wonder Pick, and trade-focused social features.
    In-game setting
    Parallel product to TCG Live, not a replacement; uses its own card pool and rules tweaks.
    Should you play it?
    Pick Pocket for quick mobile collecting; pick Live for tournament-accurate rules.
    Release date
    Worldwide mobile release October 30, 2024.

FAQ

Video games vs paper cards, Online to Live migration, Japan-only releases, and links to mainline Pokémon.

Play order

TCG Online shut down June 5, 2023. Pokémon TCG Live is the replacement on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android—global launch June 8, 2023. Online accounts could migrate eligible cards and items to Live during the transition; new players should install Live only.

What's included

See the Pokémon games timeline for Scarlet/Violet, Legends, remakes, and regional story order. TCG video games are optional side experiences—not part of mainline RPG canon.

No. This timeline covers video games and apps that let you play or collect digitally. Base Set, Scarlet & Violet expansions, and other paper booster releases are out of scope—use official Pokémon TCG set lists for those.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.