Pokémon Trading Figure Game

Infobox Game
title = Pokémon Trading Figure Game
image_link =
image_caption =
designer = Kaiyodo
publisher = Pokémon USA Inc.
players = 2
random_chance = Medium (Spinning, luck)
setup_time = Very short
playing_time = Short
skills = Counting
Social skills
bggid = 24127

The Pokémon Trading Figure Game (also referred to as the Pokémon TFG) is a collectible miniatures game similar to HeroClix. It is designed by Pokemon USA and based on Satoshi Tajiri's "Pokémon" media franchise.

It was released in Australia in August 2006, followed by releases in Europe and Southeast Asia later that year. The trading figures have been released in the United States and will be released in Japan sometime in 2007. As of March 18, 2008 Mike Liesik announced that the Pokèmon TFG will be included in Pokèmon Trading Card Leagues so players can earn their rewards in new ways. The first set released is called "Next Quest". The game seems to be played in a luck/strategy format that resembles the boardgame Risk with most actions being controlled by a spin mechanism on the figures. The figures are larger than most other figure games, highly detailed, and meant to introduce this type of game to younger players while holding the interest of older fans of the Pokemon series.

Though released on the announced September 19th date, initial distribution has been slow, and is taking some time to reach full stock levels at many retail outlets.

The upcoming 10th anniversary United Kingdom mall tour will feature an introduction of this new Pokemon line.

Rules

The objective of the game is to move one of your figures to the opponent's goal and to prevent them getting to yours by using your Pokémon to defend and attack. In a player's turn, he may play a trainer card, move a figure, and/or attack one of the opponent's figures (in that order).

Next Quest set (International Release)

The "Next Quest" set is made up of 42 figures and 8 cards. These pieces are divided into four levels of rarity: white star (extremely rare), black star (rare), black diamond (uncommon) and black circle (common).There are also 2 subsets, the pearl sub-set which contains all the rare figures and are a pearly colour and the crystal subset are see through and contains all the EXrare figures. A ref figure is also found in the 9 figure set it would appear it is not part of the nextquest set however as it has the promo symbol underneath

Two starter sets are available for this collection, entitled "Flamethrower" and "Riptide". Each starter set contains four figures, as well as the following:
*Double-sided play mat (for 3 vs 3 or 6 vs 6 figurine play).
*3 trainer cards ("Max Revive", "X Attack", "X Accuracy", or "Switch").
*A full-color poster of the 42 figurines in the Next Quest set, with checklist boxes for collectors.
*A rule book.

There are also four different booster packs available; these do not have individual names but are identified by the four different images on each packaging: Pikachu, Charizard, Groudon, and Feraligatr.

Figures

Cards

*Max Revive
*X Accuracy
*X Attack
*Long Throw
*Swap Spots
*Switch
*Full Heal
*Scoop Up

Next Quest set (US release)

There are several differences between the International and US release.

Packaging

The US release offers two types of starter sets and three types of booster packs. All retail packagings are made of printed cardboard and plastic clamshell. The 1-figure booster pack has one visible figure-spot. The 2-figure booster pack has one visible figure-spot, and one secret figure spot. The 3-figure booster pack has two visible figure-spots, and one secret figure-spot.

The visible figure-spot in the 1-figure booster pack contains either Groudon, Kyogre, Pikachu, Absol, Torchic, or Mudkip.

The visible figure-spot in the 2-figure booster pack and one of the visible figure-spot in the 3-figure booster pack contain either Ho-Oh, Lugia, Eevee, Salamence, or Zangoose. Scyther was later released as a visible figure in the Target-exclusive 3-figure booster pack.

The second visible figure-spot in the 3-figure booster pack originally contained the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl starters. A Target-exclusive release of the 3-figure booster pack has the starters replaced by crystal variations of the other visible figures.

The secret figure-spots in the 2-figure and 3-figure booster packs contain one random non-promotional figure from the Next Quest set. Red and Brendan trainer figures from the starter sets appear rarely in the secret figure-spot of the 3-figure booster packs.

Figure Distribution

The figures from the US release do not have figure rarity and rarity symbol.

Packaging Contents

The secret figure-spots from the US release booster packs always have one trainer card. All figures from the US release are sold with the spinner base, and the color of the spinner base in the secret figure-spot matches the color of the base in the visible figure-spot of the same pack.

Figure Construction

Beedrill figure from the US release has an additional support rod connecting between the Beedrill figure and the figure base.

Groundbreakers set

Groundbreakers is the first expansion set. It is expected to be released in September, 2008.Pokemon Groundbreakers "Skydive" TFG Starter contains: Green, Latios, Raticate and Hariyama. Preliminary release date is listed as 12/14/2007 on Amazon.com subject to change; however, the starter set "Skydive" was available and purchased at Wal-Mart in-store as early as 11/15/2007.

References

* [http://www.go-pokemon.com The Official Pokémon TFG and TCG Site]
* [http://www.pokemon.co.uk Pokémon 10th Anniversary Mall Tour]