Pokémon fans can jump up and down in glee as Nintendo is gearing up to push out the "Pokémon Trading Card Game" or Pokémon TCG for iPad.
The card trading game, which has been available online for some time now, will now finally make its way to the iPad. The game is expected to be available for the iPad by end 2014.
The impending Pokémon TCG for iPad popped up at the Pokemon World Championships in Washington D.C. Josh Wittenkeller, a video personality, snapped up a picture of the Pokémon TCG in action on the iPad.
"It looks like Pokémon TCGO is in works for the iPad! Should be a huge way to expand the game. #PlayPokemon," tweeted Wittenkeller.
Wittenkeller's hunch was confirmed by a spokesperson of The Pokémon Company, a subsidiary of Nintendo, to GamesBeat. However, the exact date of release remains a mystery.
"Yes, we can confirm that is the Pokémon TCG Online iPad app, and it's coming later this year," revealed the spokesperson.
For the uninitiated, the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online (TCGO) for Windows and Mac packs in several options which enable gamers to expand their online collection, as well as earn Trainer Tokens. Gamers need to log-in with their Pokémon Trainer Club to compete against opponents and build custom decks. Users even have the option of customizing their avatar.
Pokémon enthusiasts will hope that the iPad version of the game that is in the pipeline, like its online counterpart, will also pack in these elements, as well as bring exciting new features to the table.
In the past, even though Nintendo has released apps for iOS like Pokédex, the company has primarily channeled its game-production efforts towards hardware. However, with the Pokémon TCG, Nintendo could have its sights set on tapping the potential of the mobile gaming market as well. The Pokémon TCG will be the first full release for the Apple tablet.
If the upcoming Pokémon TCG for iPad follows on the footsteps of its online version, then a strong possibility exists that the iOS version will be free for gamers.
With Pokémon TCG for iPad set to lead the way, gamers will be hoping that Super Mario Bros. for iOS follows suit.
