Pokémon Company International Launches First-Ever Family Board Game, Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy

The Pokémon Company International Launches First-Ever Family Board Game, Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy

Get ready to make your family game night a bit more interesting with the new global release of the Pokémon Trading Card Battle Academy. On the heels of last week's Pokemon Go Fest, a virtual event, full of rare Pokémon sightings and standoffs with Team Rocket, we now have a brand new game to add to our Pokémon collection!

The Pokémon TCG is a classic board game that is a beautifully styled board game with colorful artwork, and familiar core characters, Pikachu and Charizard. This new way to experience Pokémon will now put Pokémon in the hands of players who never played the card game or even the video games. 

My son finally caught Snorlax during Day One Pokémon Go Fest!

How to Play 

The object of the game is show off your great skill and strong Pokémon. The first player to knock out four of the opponent's Pokémon wins the game. Each player gets their own deck 60-card deck; you get a Pikachu deck and a Charizard deck. Each deck includes everything you will need to start the game, and since they are official Pokémon TCG cards, you get special GX cards just for the game. You get beautiful foil cards as well as energy and trainer cards. If you tire of the included decks, don’t worry, because you can include your own decks to really personalize the play experience. For advanced play, use the Mewtwo Deck. You also get a beautiful foil slammer-like coin to flip throughout gameplay to see who goes first and for the attack bonuses.

Overall this game is a true introduction to the proper play of Pokémon, if you Pokémon TCG on your iPad or tablet, it plays the same, except this is a board game and it really makes this play experience a lot more accessible to families just starting their Pokémon journey. 

“For more than 20 years, the beloved Pokémon Trading Card Game has connected people across the globe over their shared love of collecting cool cards, trading them with friends, and playing the official game,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of consumer marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “With Battle Academy, we are excited to give families a fun and accessible way to spend quality time together while bonding over something both kids and longtime fans of the franchise adore: Pokémon TCG cards.”

Who Should Play?

We actually got a free sample for attending The Toy Insider’s Sweet Suite at Home, and we watched a demo of the game. As a Pokémon player since 1997, I found the collectibility of this game to be really appealing, but I can see young players really enjoying the board game. My son is turning seven and since isolation began in NYC in March due to COVID-19, he has been playing Pokémon. I explain to him all of the time, it's not who you use to play, it is how you play the game. I think a classic-style board will really appeal to younger Pokémon players, and folks like me who have been playing since their teens will be able to enjoy the nostalgia and enjoy a family game night with their own favorite pastime. 

I find this new board game to be the perfect addition to the new Pokémon Trainer’s or Pokémon Master’s gaming cabinet. To make your opponent’s Pokémon faint takes great skill and not just highly leveled Pokémon. Pokémon TCG board game will give the newest Pokémon Trainers the opportunity to learn the rules in an easy way.

Do you have a budding Pokémon Master in training at home? Check out this game! It is available at all mass retailers, hobby shops, and even Pokémon Center. The game retails for $19.99 making it the perfect price point for a gift - you get three decks for under $20, which is a great deal!

Thank you have Pokémon International Company for gifting this game to us for attending Sweet Suite at Home. Stay tuned for our unboxing, review, and gameplay on our YouTube channel!

About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.