The recent expansion of Pokemon TCG Pocket, Shining Revelry has just dropped this week. And while fans enjoy a fresh offer of shiny Pokemon cards in all colors of the rainbow, there is one that causes some division: the shiny Ex Mewtu card, which is only available to players who pay USD 23 for real money.
Here’s what is happening: Mewtwo ex is a card that already exists in the game in several forms. It was added in the first set, a genetic Apex, which has the “ordinary” version, “addictive rare” version, with a bite out of restriction and the Mewtopian version on a golden background. All three versions have exactly the same movements and power levels, so in the match it does not matter which one you employ. But they are all different infrequent degrees, so for those who want to “catch them”, so to speak, it is very significant to track all three.
Mewtwo ex in question is another version of the same card, with the same effects. The difference is a cosmetics: this Mewtu ex is “shiny”, so it is green instead of pinkish and has a different background. However, this also occupies a separate machine in the card collection in the fresh extension of the shiny Biesinik, which means that collectors need it if they want to complete their collection 100%.
Here he, in all his shiny glory:
Unfortunately, the card is available only with one method: paying USD 22.99 for real money for a shop package containing Poke Gold, a group of other cosmetics on the subject of Mewtt (like a coin, playmat, etc.) and the card itself. There is no other way to get it, not through packages, a wonderful choice or anything else.
Some players do not react well to messages.
Their frustration is understood. Pokemon TCG Pocket has been for several months and has undergone four different extensions of different sizes, as well as many events. While players who pay real money have now had some advantages to how they can develop their collections and other cosmetic awards, the card was closed for the golden payment card for the first time. What’s more, this is a lot more than the card itself, because it contains other items such as currency.
To say, some fans turn their eyes to controversy. A few have noticed that the card is purely cosmetic – it does nothing other than others exes Mewtu, which you can get, and if you do not switch a specific option in your settings, you do not even see it in your collection. Others indicate that in the past some other promotional cards have been closed with premium membership, which in itself is a monthly paid subscription (although 12 USD/months, with other benefits).
Probably the biggest problem of the players is the slippery slope of all this. If Pokemon TCG Pocket is willing to collect Mewtt ex, will it take other cards? What if the game eventually begins to block fresh cards with fresh effects for payments, effectively demanding from players to pay money, if they want this particular effect in their decks? Although there are no traces yet, some are still worried that it can be.
Ign contacted Pokemon to comment on this change, criticism and the possibilities of future cards for payments.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior Ign reporter. You can find her post on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.skyla. Do you have a hint with history? Send it to ralentine@ign.com.
