Pokémon TCG Pocket's captivating card art has captivated players for months, but recently, a wave of discoveries revealed cleverly hidden details linking the cards to the classic Game Boy games.

The investigation began when Reddit user asch_win highlighted the Spearow card's background, showcasing familiar landmarks. The card depicts grass, a fence, trees, and notably, two buildings—one resembling the Celadon City Department Store from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. This building's proximity to a fenced-in grassy area reminiscent of Kanto's Route 16, a known Spearow habitat, strongly suggests an intentional reference.

Image depicting Spearow card with Celadon City Department Store in the background.
by u/asch_win on PTCGP

It's clear that developers Creatures Inc. and DeNA incorporated these references to the iconic games that launched Pokémon's global success. Further discoveries by Reddit user jteede include a Diglett card situated near Vermillion City and a Haunter card near Lavender Town's tower. Asch_win also uncovered location references within Supporter cards.

Many card illustrations depict Pokémon in fantastical settings unrelated to established lore. Some, like a Pikachu variant, mirror real-world collectible cards. However, others are unique to Pokémon TCG Pocket, making these Easter eggs even more rewarding to uncover.

The Pokémon TCG Pocket community actively searches for more hidden references. Recent finds include the S.S. Anne on a Gyarados card, and a storyline connecting Oddish, Venonat, and Bellsprout cards to the seaside Snorlax encounter in FireRed and LeafGreen.

Image showcasing Supporter cards with location references. by u/asch_win on PTCGP

Since its October release, Pokémon TCG Pocket has received one additional booster expansion, Mythical Island, bringing the total to four. Further expansions are anticipated, along with occasional new cards through Wonder Pick Events and updates. As Creatures and DeNA continue releasing cards from various generations, players are encouraged to remain vigilant for more hidden references.

Meanwhile, you can explore the current Wonder Pick event featuring Charmander and Squirtle, and delve into the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of pack choice.