Trading card games have captured the hearts of millions around the world, with Pokemon being one of the most iconic and influential franchises in the genre. What began as a game designed to emulate Pokemon battles on the Game Boy soon evolved into a cultural phenomenon, where the cards themselves became cherished collectibles. In this blog post, I want to share my personal journey of collecting and playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game, the memories it created, and how my passion for the genre has now been reignited through a new discovery: Splinterlands ✌️
The Pokemon Trading Card Game Craze
The Pokemon Trading Card Game, introduced in 1996 by Media Factory, quickly gained popularity among children and adults alike. As the popularity of the Pokemon franchise soared, the card game followed suit. Its success can be attributed to the captivating concept of collecting cards featuring various Pokemon species, each possessing unique abilities and strengths 😍
The cards became more than just a means for battling; they transformed into highly sought-after collectibles. Ultra rare cards, such as holographic Charizards or first edition Base Set cards, became the Holy Grail for avid collectors, often fetching prices in the thousands of dollars. Just take a look at this article: Charizard Pokemon Card Sold For Record $420,000, How Much Is Yours Worth?. These cards turned into treasured possessions, representing nostalgic memories and an investment for diehard fans 🤑
Discovering the Pokemon Trading Card Game
My personal introduction to the Pokemon Trading Card Game came through my neighbors, back when I was around 11 years old. I vividly recall the excitement of unboxing booster packs, discovering new Pokemon cards, and eagerly building decks to battle against one another. Every day after school, we would gather at the playground, setting up makeshift battle arenas and engaging in thrilling card duels. The game not only fostered a sense of competition but also created lasting bonds among us 😄
Like many enthusiasts, I became captivated by the game and its captivating world. I remember pestering my parents for allowances, often sacrificing a meal or two at school to save up for more booster packs. As my collection grew, so did my desire to construct the perfect deck. One of my most memorable builds was the Haymaker deck, renowned for its powerful combination of Hitmonchan, Electabuzz and Scyther. The deck relied on clever strategies and key Trainer cards to swiftly knock out opponents before their Pokemon had a chance to evolve 💪
Life's Interruptions
However, as life caught up with me, my passion for the Pokemon Trading Card Game gradually took a backseat. The demands of studies, work, and starting a family left little time for pursuing my childhood hobby. During a period of transition, many of my beloved cards were sold off, making way for new chapters in my life 😥
Recently, inspired by a blog post from @acidyo, my nostalgia for the Pokemon Trading Card Games resurfaced. I began rummaging through my harddisk for old photos, unearthing remnants of a cherished past. So please bear with me for the upcoming photo dump and do pardon the lousy photography skills as they are unedited and presented in their rawest form 😅
As life's obligations took precedence and my beloved Pokemon cards were set aside, the joy and cherished memories they brought remained close to my heart. Throughout my adult years, I often toyed with the idea of delving back into the realm of trading card games, as they were always my preferred genre of strategic gaming. It was during this period that I stumbled upon an intriguing web3 game called Splinterlands.
Splinterlands: A New Chapter
For those unacquainted with Splinterlands, it is a captivating collectible card game that allows players to construct decks of formidable monsters and engage in thrilling battles for valuable rewards. Splinterlands reignited my passion for trading card games, capturing my interest with its immersive gameplay and the exhilaration of amassing powerful cards (similar to the thrill of opening a Pokemon Booster Pack!). Given my previous enjoyment of games like Pokemon and WWE RAW DEAL (which I will delve into further in a separate post), venturing into the world of Splinterlands felt like a natural choice 🤣
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All images used in this post were taken from my iPhone