Palworld Officially Expanded, Coming Before Summer
The universe of the breakout hit Palworld is expanding beyond its open-world survival roots. Developer Pocketpair has officially announced a Palworld Trading Card Game, set to launch on July 30, 2026. This move marks a significant new chapter for the franchise, often colloquially dubbed “Pokémon with guns,” as it ventures into the competitive physical and digital card game space.
According to the official announcement, the TCG will be a two-player competitive experience where players deploy various Pals in strategic battles. However, it aims to distinguish itself by integrating mechanics from the core video game. Players will reportedly be able to “gather resources” and “build bases” during matches, with these actions contributing directly to victory, alongside utilizing each Pal’s unique traits.
This announcement arrives amidst Palworld’s continued cultural footprint and its complex history with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The video game faced a major lawsuit in 2024 over alleged design patent infringement, though no formal charges have been brought to date. The decision to launch a trading card game—a realm dominated by the Pokémon TCG for decades—is a bold step that has not gone unnoticed by fans.
Community reaction has been a mix of excitement and wry observation. “Okay, now they’re doing it just to p**s off Nintendo,” joked one user on social media, highlighting the perceived cheeky challenge to the genre’s titan. Many fans are hoping for a physical card release to complement any digital version.
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While details on card sets, starter packs, and pricing are still under wraps, the summer 2026 release date indicates more information will surface soon. For a game that began as a viral phenomenon, this expansion into a fully-fledged TCG proves that Palworld is evolving from a surprise hit into a multifaceted franchise, ready to capture its audience in yet another format.