The popular monster-collecting game, Palworld, is making its leap from video game screens to tabletops with the announcement of the Palworld Official Card Game. Developed by Pocketpair, this new venture is set to launch on July 30, 2026, marking a significant expansion for the franchise.
According to details from an official website, the Palworld TCG (Trading Card Game) will be a two-player competitive experience. Players will engage in strategic battles while deploying various unique Pals, similar to the mechanics found in the video game. The game allows players to fight alongside their Pals, gather resources, and build bases, maintaining the core elements that fans have come to love.
The official trailer features several Pals, including a Cattiva, showcasing the game’s vibrant character designs. The trailer reveals a Lamball card, along with action sequences where Pals like Chillet and Anubis emerge from their cards. Notably, the footage includes a Grizzbolt utilizing its minigun, indicating that the card game will incorporate unique abilities from the video game.
While specific mechanics remain largely undisclosed, the trailer hints at a blend of traditional card game strategies with innovative gameplay. Players may employ their Pals’ unique traits to achieve victory, and the mechanics of combat will likely center around Pal cards, positioning players as commanders in battles. The introduction of equipment cards could provide players with direct attack options, expanding the tactical possibilities during gameplay.
Resource gathering is another key component that could take various forms—either accumulating passively each turn or tied to specific card types. This could mirror systems seen in established card games such as Magic: The Gathering or the Pokémon TCG. Base-building may also play a significant role, allowing players to place buildings and crafting benches on the board, paralleling the video game’s mechanics.
The Palworld Trading Card Game is being produced by Bushiroad, a respected publisher known for successful card games like Weiß Schwarz and Cardfight!! Vanguard. It remains to be seen how Bushiroad will adapt its established combat mechanics to the unique world of Palworld.
This announcement comes at a pivotal time for Pocketpair, as the company is currently engaged in a legal dispute with Nintendo over alleged patent infringement. Additionally, the developer has indicated that Palworld will leave early access with a full 1.0 launch scheduled for 2026. With the trading card game on the horizon, it appears to be a transformative year for the franchise.
As the release date approaches, further details about the card game’s mechanics and features are anticipated, promising to enhance the Palworld experience for both new players and long-time fans.
