​

With Pokémon being the absolute juggernaut of a franchise that it is, it would be hard to imagine any of the games being deemed not important enough to get a localization. But that’s what happened to Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR! It launched in Japan for the Game Boy Color in 2001, eight days after the new and shiny Game Boy Advance arrived on the scene, which is likely why it never got a western release. As the name implies, the game is based on the ever-popular Pokémon TCG.

Building upon the first entry, Pokemon Card GB--Pokemon Trading Card Game, as it’s known stateside--GB2 is effectively better in every possible way, existing as a “Definitive Edition” of sorts. Which is a bit of a shame when you consider we never got this hugely improved version. Where the original featured around 200 cards from the first three expansion sets, the sequel doubles the amount to 441, and even includes the “Dark Pokemon” cards from the Team Rocket sets. You’re still only limited to the original 151 creatures from Kanto (except a special Lugia card), but the extra cards allow you to make much more varied decks than before.

​

Pokemon Card GB2 starts off in a rather dramatic fashion; following directly after the first game, the new Team Great Rocket suddenly shows up and magically steals everyone’s Pokemon cards, including yours. Since you’re the newly crowned Pokemon TCG Grand Champion, it’s up to you to defeat them and win everyone’s cards back, with nothing but a handful of weak and basic cards.

As you defeat others, you’ll win booster packs, which have a randomized set of Pokemon cards. Other NPCs will also give you certain cards for free, or you can trade for rare ones such as Mewtwo. You’ll be using the cards to create decks in order to take on each of the Team Great Rocket bosses, who all serve as stand-ins for “Gym Leaders” and use very specific decks with type weaknesses you can exploit.

When it came to collecting Pokemon cards as a kid, I never actually played the trading card game itself, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other kids did the exact same. I just collected the rare shiny holographic cards with cool Pokemon; whoever had the most awesome, rarest Pokemon cards, won. Here, things obviously work a little differently. Card battles follow the exact rules of the TCG: you have a deck of 60 cards and shuffle them. Prize cards are placed on the table, and once you’ve claimed all of them, or you’ve knocked out all of your opponent's Pokemon, you win.

​

You’ll need to rely on a skillfully built card deck, and at times, complete luck and RNG in order to win your fights. Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do; the luck won’t be in your favor, and you’re stuck in a no-win situation. The AI in the game is crafty, too, and if they notice you’ve got the type advantage, or you’re about to knock out their card, they’ll retreat and hunker down, even if it means they won’t have the energy cards equipped to fight back. It makes for some engaging, and enraging, boss fights.

For a Game Boy Color game, GB2 also manages to render the Pokemon cards incredibly well. Despite the small, low res screen, the pixelated versions of the cards are scaled down perfectly, looking just like their real-world counterparts. It also uses the sprites from the mainline Pokemon games, so there’s a good few amusing moments of seeing Trainer Red as a random generic card player. You’ll also be treated to a very small, but great soundtrack that has no right to sound as epic as it does for a simple card game.

If you’re in over your head, or you don’t exactly know how to play the TCG, it’s okay, because the game does a wonderful job at explaining it, likely assuming plenty of players have never followed the actual rules. There’s plenty of resources at the professor’s lab to help grade you on your deck builds, and inform you if you need more energy or trainer cards to help you win. They’re useful tips, and the game itself is very fun and satisfying once you know how it works.

With so many cards to collect and two different islands to conquer, Pokemon GB 2 has a lot of content to offer. While it does feel a little outdated with the lack of even Johto Pokemon, it’s still incredibly fun. And thanks to an awesome fan translation patch made by Artemis251, you can finally play this little piece of lost Pokemon history in complete English!

​

I hope you enjoyed this edition of GBAtemp Recommends. If you'd like to see more, leave your feedback in the thread below or check out our previous articles.

GBAtemp Recommends Issues

Orcs Must Die! - #29
ROUNDS - #28
Zero Escape Series - #27
Metal Gear Solid - #26
Pocket Card Jockey - #25
Pokémon XG - #24
Assassin's Creed II - #23
Rune Factory 4: Special - #22
Super Seducer 1+2 - #21
Pixel Ripped 1995 - #20
Animal Crossing e+ - #19
Tall Bagel - #18
Jazzpunk - #17
Mario's Super Picross - #16
Dread X Collection Volume I & II - #15
Journey to the Savage Planet - #14
Collar X Malice - #13
Persona 4 Golden - #12
Call of Duty: Warzone - #11
Uno - #10
Frog Detective Series - #9
The Simpsons: Hit & Run - #8
Catherine - #7
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red & Blue Rescue Team - #6
Dragon Ball Z: Legacy of Goku Series - #5
Dead Rising - #4
Classic Fallout - #3
Silent Hill 1 - #2
Danganronpa Series - #1

 

[raxadian]

Is this a translation patch? The second game was Japan only.

 

[Chary]

Is this a translation patch? The second game was Japan only.

And thanks to an awesome fan translation patch made by Artemis251, you can finally play this little piece of lost Pokemon history in complete English

 

[pedro702]

there was a translation pack made for years i know i played this in english like 10+ years ago, with only some minor things not translated, the game is fun not as fun as the first but still fun, im always sad why people dont make mods of pokemon trading card game, there are 100 pokemon fan games with full dex and yet no one made a single fan made pokemon trading card game with extra cards and such, such a missed opportunity.

 

[TotalJustice]

Has no idea Pokémon tcg had a sequel! Thanks for sharing

 

[Necron]

there was a translation pack made for years i know i played this in english like 10+ years ago, with only some minor things not translated, the game is fun not as fun as the first but still fun, im always sad why people dont make mods of pokemon trading card game, there are 100 pokemon fan games with full dex and yet no one made a single fan made pokemon trading card game with extra cards and such, such a missed opportunity.

There was a thread or patch some years ago in romhacking.net, where the person explained how to add new cards and such. It's doable, but a lot of effort. Also I've heard effects aren't applied correctly (per the compendium) so that's something that could cause issues when adding new cards.

Edit: found the thread I saw some time in case ayone wants to read it: https://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=15664.0

 

[dh3lix-pooch]

Not attacted to Pokemon .. what is wrong with me. Send help?

 

[Noctosphere]

@Chary Is that you talking in the video?

 

[Youkai]

oO nice, never knew there was a second one.

Part one really was nice even though I haven't been a fan of actually playing with the pokemon cards when I had them in RL

 

[x65943]

Whoa I didn't even know this existed, will definitely have to check this out

(Is there an inside joke to your character being named CNARY?)

 

[Working_Goose]

A Pokemon Traiding Card 3 Game would be Awesome.

I'm still playing the First Game on my RG280V.

I wish the second one was with german language ;/

 

[Chary]

Whoa I didn't even know this existed, will definitely have to check this out

(Is there an inside joke to your character being named CNARY?)

When I was playing it, @relauby pointed out that the H and N look almost identical. So thus came the name CNARY haha

@Chary Is that you talking in the video?

Yup!

 

[Working_Goose]

A Pokemon Traiding Card 3 Game would be Awesome.

I'm still playing the First Game on my RG280V.

I wish the second one was with german language ;/

Oh shit, there is a 100% German Translation for TCG2


Hehe... Time to play

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Reminds me I've never actually played the sequel properly. I've played the first game many times, and I've started the sequel in Japanese, but I didn't get very far. Never played the fan translation, so that's something I'm gonna have to do soon. Love Pokemon TCG, I enjoyed it more than the mainline games, and wish they kept making them.

 

[CoolMe]

Interesting.. I've never played any from this series and now you make me want to try it. Nice review!

 

[Noctosphere]

When I was playing it, @relauby pointed out that the H and N look almost identical. So thus came the name CNARY haha


Yup!

what a sexy voice

 

[AshuraZro]

Mind blown. I loved the TGC game on Game Boy Color and never knew they had a japan exclusive follow up! This is entering into my must play list!

 

[TheTrueDream42]

I loved playing this. I remember fondly taking advantage of GR Mewtwo ability to boosts Dark Pokémon attack damage working on the bench, allowing Dark Raichu and Dark Clefable to wipe the board.

Actually, this reminds me of this article covering the old format of pre-gen 3 cards. Don't remember where I found this, but it's a good read for anyone who enjoyed the old card erra: http://blog.livedoor.jp/aqwsderft/archives/55777043.html

 

[Xalusc]

Great game tbh
Works great on the EZ-Flash Jr., too

 

[Archolm]

Awesome job shining some light on a great game!