Pikachu, Mewtwo and other Pokemon icons are returning to the forefront of Pokemon TCG Pocket when its next expansion, Deluxe Pack Ex, is released on Sept. 29.
On the heels of the Secluded Springs expansion, Deluxe Pack Ex steps away from the recent Johto-region theme for the next suite of digital cards. Deluxe Pack Ex instead leans full tilt into bombast and bling, culminating in a set that's more akin to Shining Revelry or the real-life Hidden Fates.
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Deluxe Pack Ex includes fan-favorite rare cards from all of the expansions released over the first year of the game, as well as new full-art illustrations that are unique to the set. If your favorite Pokemon TCG Pocket pastime is chasing shiny cards, this set was made for you.
If you want to add some of these flashy new cards to your deck, you'll have to move quickly. Unlike the previous Pokemon TCG Pocket expansion sets, Deluxe Pack Ex will only be available for a limited time. Whatever cards you don't earn will be vaulted alongside the set on Oct. 29.
The face of Pokemon gets an electric glow-up with a hieroglyphic full art card. DeNA/Screenshot by CNET
The golden opportunity: New secret rares and foil cards
Pokemon TCG Pocket's rarest cards have always been gaudy gold full art Pokemon illustrations, but that seems like it's starting to change with the Deluxe Pack Ex expansion. This set features a new type of secret rare card, with an art style reminiscent of the Ancient Mew promo card (which is 25 years old).
The distinctive designs of Nintendo's pocket monsters translate well into hieroglyphic drawings, and the first batch of designs includes some of the most popular Pokemon in history. Pokemon TCG Pocket players can expect to find cards featuring Pikachu, Buzzwole, Solgaleo and Arceus in the new secret rare style.
The gold full arts have always felt a little underwhelming to me. In real life, these rare cards have different texturing, which makes them pop, but that can't be easily accomplished with virtual collectibles. Experimenting with new types of art is a great way to maintain excitement for tearing into a pack and finding something special.
Deluxe Pack Ex also includes reverse holo foil cards, which are standard for real-life packs, but have never been replicated in the game. These cards shine around the entire border of the Pokemon art, and they make opening a pack without a rare card feel less bad.
Even though the Deluxe Pack Ex expansion is going away at the end of October, I hope that foil cards are included in every future Pokemon TCG Pocket expansion set.
Pokemon Ex cards from all of the previous expansions will be available in Deluxe Pack Ex. In fact, you're guaranteed to pull one from every pack. DeNA/Screenshot by CNET
A victory lap celebrating Pokemon TCG Pocket's greatest hits
The latest and greatest Pokemon cards are always going to be what gets big spenders flashing their wallets, but the bulk of the Deluxe Pack Ex expansion is composed of older cards.
The new set feels like a celebration of the massive milestones that came before it, including cards from expansions like Genetic Apex, Eevee Grove, Wisdom of Sea and Sky and more.
When players open a Deluxe Pack Ex pack, they're guaranteed to get at least one Pokemon Ex card from the previous expansions. This feels like a mea culpa to free players: It's a soft reset to exclusivity, ensuring that anyone can catch up on some of the rarest cards from missed expansions.
If the Deluxe Pack Ex expansion is a sign of things to come, it might even ease my anxiety about monthly expansion set releases. Developer DeNA seems to be acknowledging that the breakneck pace is untenable for players like me. But now I can relax knowing that I'll be able to catch up once cards aren't the newest and flashiest things in the game anymore.
It'll be fun to rip open sets and see cards I haven't thought about in months. I'm ripping Deluxe Pack Ex packs, hoping for new Pikachu, Mewtwo and Charizard full art cards come Sept. 29. Against all odds, DeNA has officially roped me back in.