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From Viral Survival Hit to a Full-Fledged Palworld Card Game
What began as a game often jokingly described as Pokémon with guns has grown into one of the most unexpected success stories in recent years. Palworld has delivered blockbuster sales, sustained player engagement, and a growing multimedia footprint, firmly establishing Pocketpair as a major force in Japan’s games industry.
With the original hit still in active development and the farming-focused spin-off Palfarm already announced, the company is now taking its next bold step by entering the trading card game space.
Palworld Official Card Game Confirmed for July 2026
Pocketpair has officially announced the Palworld Official Card Game, which is set to launch on July 30. The move mirrors the growth trajectory of other globally successful monster-collecting franchises, signalling growing confidence in Palworld as a long-term IP.
At launch, the card game will include one booster pack and two trial decks, providing an accessible entry point for both experienced card game players and newcomers curious about this universe.
Competitive Design with Base-Building at Its Core
Unlike traditional monster-focused card games, the Palworld Official Card Game places equal emphasis on strategy, resource management, and base construction. Designed as a two-player competitive experience, matches are not just about deploying powerful Pals but also about how effectively players develop their base to unlock advantages.
This design philosophy reflects the core game’s gameplay loop, translating its survival and management elements into a tabletop format.
Developed with Bushiroad and Vanguard Experience
The project is being developed in partnership with Bushiroad, with development handled by Yuhodo, a studio best known for its work on Cardfight!! Vanguard.
The Palworld Official Card Game will feature five distinct card types, all illustrated with brand-new original artwork created specifically for the TCG:
- Pals cards representing the creatures themselves
- Building cards that assign Pals to tasks and trigger effects
- Gear cards covering weapons and tools
- Event cards delivering powerful one-time effects
- Soul cards used as consumable resources to activate abilities
Global Release and Competitive Ambitions
Pocketpair has confirmed that the Palworld Official Card Game will launch globally, with support for Japanese, English, and Simplified Chinese at release. Beyond casual play, the company is already laying the groundwork for an organised competitive scene.
Official tournaments will be held at card shops across Japan, culminating in a World Championship scheduled for Fall 2026. If successful, the move into the card game space could mark the IP’s most ambitious expansion yet.
