As January draws to a close and the rest of the year beckons, fans of Pokémon TCG Pocket have a new reason to celebrate. The highly anticipated trading feature is finally making its debut today, accompanied by the major new expansion, Space-Time Smackdown!

So, how does trading work? It's simple: you can now trade cards with your friends, much like you would in real life. However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind. Only certain rarities (1-4 and 1-star) are eligible for trading, and you'll need resources like trade hourglasses and trade tokens to make it happen. Despite these limitations, this is a significant addition to the game.

But that's not all! Alongside the trading feature, the Space-Time Smackdown expansion has just been released, introducing iconic legendary Pokémon Diagla and Palkia to TCG Pocket. You'll also find the Sinnoh region starters Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, along with a host of other exciting additions!

Ice-type

However, not everyone is thrilled about the new trading feature. The reception has been somewhat frosty, and it's not hard to see why. While I believe the feature is a valuable addition and well-implemented, the numerous caveats are causing some frustration among players.

I think Pokémon TCG Pocket might have been better served by either omitting trading altogether or making it as unrestricted as possible, without the need for resources or limits on which cards can be traded. Fortunately, there are indications that the developers are closely monitoring the feature's reception, so we may see adjustments soon.

If this news is tempting you to dive back into the game, be sure to check out our guide to the best starting decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket for a helpful refresher course!