Pokémon Hatches First-Ever Board GamePokémon Hatches First-Ever Board Game

The Pokémon Company International has released the “Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy,” the first-ever board-game adaptation of the Pokémon trading card game.

 “Battle Academy” reimagines Pokémon’s trading card game gameplay as an experience for the whole family that comes in a classic board-game format. Each “Battle Academy” box comes with a two-player game board, three 60-card decks, tutorial guides, gameplay accessories, and a code card for the free-to-play Pokémon Trading Card Game Online on iOS, Android, and Pokemon.com.

“For more than 20 years, the beloved Pokémon Trading Card Game has connected people across the globe over their shared love of collecting cool cards, trading them with friends and playing the official game,” says J.C. Smith, senior director, consumer marketing, The Pokémon Company International. “With Battle Academy, we are excited to give families a fun and accessible way to spend quality time together while bonding over something both kids and longtime fans of the franchise adore: Pokémon [trading card game] cards.”

The game launched at participating mass and hobby retailers around the world. It is also available through online retailers such as PokemonCenter.com.

The new board game adds to the growing licensing portfolio for Pokémon. A recent line of t-shirts inspired by the classic brand debuted earlier this year.