Pokémon Match Battle (2022)

In Pokémon Match Battle players are trying to be the first to win 3 match battles. It is a simple ‘spin-and-compare’ game where each player has only one Pokémon card. Players are each dealt one card at the beginning of each game and keep that card for the whole game. Games appear to be of short time length.

This game is very simple and designed for play by young kids by using simple rules, low complexity and short time length. These were distributed in August 2022 as part of a McDonald’s Happy Meal program, at least in the US. As usual for McD’s there were multiple sets. The only apparent difference between them is the color highlight and representative Pokémon on the box and also used on the plastic game spinner for that set. Each set has a sealed pack of 4 Pokémon cards.

On their turn, the player flips the ‘coin’ (cardboard circle about 1.5” diameter) to determine whether high or low will win. Next the player uses the spinner to determine which of the 5 attribute categories will be used for this turn. Then all players compare that attribute among the cards. The player with the highest or lowest (based on the coin toss) value wins the match point. The first player to win 3 matches (points) wins.

The cards that we’ve seen show a distinctive set logo in the lower left corner and show #/15, for a total set of only 15 different cards apparently. They are a mix of Basic and Stage 1. Presumably any Pokémon cards can be used with this game.