The recent trading feature update in Pokémon TCG Pocket has sparked significant player backlash, prompting developer DeNA to announce upcoming improvements. Released on January 29th, 2025, the trading system allows players to exchange 1-4 star rarity cards from Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs, but its limitations have caused considerable frustration.

The primary complaint centers around the high cost of trade tokens, the in-game currency required for trading. These tokens are obtained by sacrificing higher-rarity cards, creating a system where players must essentially "burn" rare cards to acquire enough tokens for desirable trades. For example, trading a 4-Diamond card requires 500 tokens, while selling a 1-star card only yields 100. This imbalance has left many players feeling unfairly penalized.

In a February 1st, 2025, Twitter (X) post, DeNA acknowledged the concerns and stated they are actively exploring solutions. They plan to introduce additional ways to earn trade tokens, including through events. The current limitation of trading only up to 1-star cards is also being reviewed.

DeNA explained that the stringent rules were implemented to deter bot activity and multi-account abuse, aiming to maintain a fair and enjoyable collecting experience for all players. While specific details of future changes remain undisclosed, the developer’s response suggests a commitment to addressing player feedback.

A separate issue arose with the January 29th, 2025 release of the Space-Time Smackdown booster packs. Some players reported the disappearance of the Genetic Apex packs from the main screen, sparking concerns about their accessibility. This, however, appears to be a UI issue; the Genetic Apex packs remain available via a less-prominent "Select other booster packs" option in the bottom-right corner.

While understandable from a marketing perspective, the less-than-obvious placement of the older pack selection has caused confusion and frustration among players who haven't yet completed their Genetic Apex collections. Players have suggested a UI update to prominently display all available booster packs on the home screen to avoid similar incidents in the future. DeNA has yet to comment on this specific UI concern.