Pokémon TCG Live will be offline for scheduled maintenance from 15:00 ~ 23:00 (UTC) on September 10, 2026.
Please see the Version 1.42.0 - Patch Notes for more information.
Bring Anime-Style Recall Beams and Fainting Reactions to Pokémon Games
I have a suggestion for future Pokémon games that would make battles feel much more alive and connected to the Pokémon anime.
In the anime, when a Trainer recalls a Pokémon, a red energy beam comes from the Poké Ball and physically recalls the Pokémon into it. In the games, Pokémon simply disappear when they are switched out.
I would love to see the anime-style recall beam brought into the games. When switching Pokémon, the Poké Ball could emit the familiar red beam, visibly surround the Pokémon, and pull it back into the Poké Ball before the next Pokémon is sent out.
I would also love to see more expressive fainting reactions. In the anime, Pokémon sometimes become dizzy and have the classic spiral eyes after being knocked out. A brief version of this could be shown when a Pokémon reaches 0 HP, along with more varied falling or collapsing animations.
These would not need to change the battle mechanics. They would simply make Pokémon feel more like living creatures and make battles more immersive.
The anime has spent decades showing us how Pokémon physically react when they are recalled, exhausted, attacked, or knocked out. Modern Pokémon games have the technology to bring some of that visual style into the games.
Please consider adding these anime-inspired battle animations to future Pokémon games, especially the red Poké Ball recall beam and expressive fainting reactions.