Fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket have been raving about its stunning card art for months, but a recent revelation has them buzzing even more. It turns out that some of the game's cards contain hidden details that connect them directly to the classic Game Boy games, sparking a wave of excitement and investigation among the community.
The discovery kicked off over the weekend when Reddit user asch_win noticed that the Spearow card features elements reminiscent of the Game Boy world. Surrounded by grass, a fence, trees, and two distinct buildings, the Normal/Flying type Pokémon appears to be set in a location that fans will recognize. 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, you'll find Route 16 in the Kanto region, a spot known for its fenced-in grassy patch where Spearow can be encountered.
The location of image!
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It's clear that developers Creatures Inc. and DeNA have intentionally woven these nostalgic nods into the card art, celebrating the roots of the Pokémon phenomenon. But the fun doesn't stop with Spearow. Another Reddit user, jteede, uncovered further connections, such as a full-art Diglett card situated just east of Vermillion City, and a Haunter card next to the haunting Lavender Town tower. Even the Supporter cards aren't immune to these easter eggs, as asch_win discovered, with some depicting specific locations from Pokémon's rich history.
While many card illustrations depict Pokémon in fantastical, lore-free settings, some, like certain Pikachu variants, mirror cards that can be collected in the real world. Yet, it's within the unique realm of Pokémon TCG Pocket that players are uncovering these cleverly hidden references. The community has been diligently dissecting other cards over the weekend, uncovering gems like 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 near the seaside Snorlax from FireRed and LeafGreen.
Let's visit our beloved Supporters!
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Since its launch on mobile platforms in October, Pokémon TCG Pocket has seen the release of just one additional booster expansion set, Mythical Island, bringing the total to four available packs. More expansions are on the horizon, and players can expect new cards to be added through Wonder Pick Events and other updates. As Creatures and DeNA continue to introduce cards spanning the series' many generations, the community remains on the lookout for more hidden references.
In the meantime, keep an eye on the current Wonder Pick event, spotlighting Charmander and Squirtle. Also, don't miss out on why the developers are playing coy about whether pack choice matters or not.