Ethan Crossfield 
Pokemon TCG Pocket is still a major mobile game, but its latest business results show a sharp drop in momentum. DeNA says it will introduce more events and promotions to bring players back, improve login frequency, and support retention. For current players, that makes the game worth watching rather than abandoning immediately; for lapsed users, the upcoming fiscal-year initiatives may provide a reason to return, although no major feature overhaul or launch date has been confirmed.
What changed for Pokemon TCG Pocket players
DeNA reported that Pokemon TCG Pocket averaged approximately 23 million monthly active users during the quarter ending in June 2026. That is about 16 million fewer than the roughly 39 million average recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, representing a decline of around 41% year over year. The latest quarter was less dramatic in isolation: average monthly active users were about 24 million in the preceding quarter, so the sequential decrease was roughly 4%.
The game launched on Android and iOS in late October 2024 and quickly became a mobile success. Third-party estimates placed its first-day revenue at $1.9 million, while The Pokemon Company confirmed 10 million downloads within two days. Downloads later reached 200 million by May 2026, showing that the title retains broad reach even as regular engagement has weakened.
Why the decline matters to DeNA
DeNA identified Pokemon TCG Pocket as the main factor behind declines in both its annual and sequential Game Business results. For the quarter, that segment generated ¥12.12 billion, or approximately $76.5 million, down 33.2% year over year. Segment profit fell 62% to ¥3.826 billion, approximately $24.1 million.
The company does not report Pokemon TCG Pocket revenue separately, so the financial figures cannot be used to calculate the game's exact earnings. DeNA also cited seasonality as one reason for the sequential decline and said the broader result was consistent with its previous expectations. Still, the combination of lower activity and weaker segment performance gives the developer a clear reason to strengthen the game's live-service cycle.
What comes next for players and returning users
DeNA is preparing a set of layered measures built around new events and promotions. The stated goals are to encourage more frequent logins, improve retention, and increase overall activity. The report does not attach these plans to a named feature, expansion, or specific release window, but it indicates that the initiatives are expected during the fiscal year ending in March 2027.
There is one positive signal in the game's spending mix: international players represented nearly 70% of virtual currency consumption from April through June 2026, compared with about 60% during the same period a year earlier. That suggests overseas users are becoming more important to the game's commercial performance, even while the total active audience contracts.
What players should know
- DeNA has confirmed more events and promotions, but no named overhaul or firm launch date.
- Monthly active users are down about 41% year over year, despite 200 million total downloads by May 2026.
- The next retention initiatives are expected before the fiscal year ends in March 2027.
- International players now account for nearly 70% of virtual currency consumption.
Expert View
Pokemon TCG Pocket does not appear to be in immediate danger, given its enormous download total and continued international spending. However, the user decline and falling DeNA profit show that reach alone is not enough. The upcoming events may stabilize engagement, but players should wait for specific details before expecting a substantial transformation.
