Pokémon Trading Card Gameis a Game Boy Color title based  on the popular strategy card game from Wizards of the Coast. Fans of the  existing red, blue, and yellow versions of Pokémon will find this game to  be less redundant than earlier Game Boy Pocket Monster offerings. This game is  more of a hybrid of its predecessors--mixing strategy card gameplay and  role-playing game elements--with highly successful results.The story inPokémon Trading Card Gameis basically the same as that of the  original Pokémon titles, only with new character and feature names  substituted. Instead of Professor Oak, players meet Dr. Mason. Gym Leaders are  named Club Masters, battles are duels, and so forth. Learning the card game is a  breeze thanks to the inclusion of comprehensive instructions and an in-depth  tutorial. Although some minor changes have been made, the method of play is  virtually identical to the original card game, and just as addictive. While much  shorter than the Pokémon games, the gameplay here doesn't involve random  and repetitive battles, and follows a less linear path.AlthoughPokémon Trading Card Gamewould seem to turn a social experience  into a solitary one, it allows for and encourages interacting with other game  owners. Duels can be fought between players via a game link cable, and cards and  decks can be traded using the infrared communications port. The most interesting  (although somewhat dubious) feature here is the "card pop!" option, which  generates one new card for each player when communicating wirelessly; the catch  is that you can't "card pop!" the same person again for a while after doing so,  thus limiting the feature's appeal.--Joe HonPros:Easy-to-learn and highly addictive gameplayFeatures cards exclusive to the Game BoyExcellent game link and infrared communication port optionsPackage includes limited edition trading cardCons:Relatively short game compared to Pokémon Game Boy titlesVery limited appeal outside the Pokémaniac crowd