When the Nintendo 3DS eShop shuts down, Game Freak’s solitaire and horse racing mash-up Pocket Card Jockey won’t be lost for good. A new version of the game with a “Ride On!” subtitle will appear on Apple Arcade. It will debut on the subscription service on January 20, 2023. [Thanks, Pocket Tactics!]
In the game, players are a jockey trying to hit new racing heights. When a race begins, you’ll play several hands of solitaire. How well you do in each one can energize and help your horse run faster. You also need to chart the horse’s course on the track, so they pick up bonuses, avoid other horses, and get in a good position. In the final stretch, the perspective changes so you can more directly see other horses and ideally use one last burst of energy to pull ahead and win.
There are also some simulation elements in Pocket Card Jockey. As you race, your horse might learn new skills. You’ll also be able to breed horses to get stronger ones. You might then get horses that excel in certain situations or that look different. In the 3DS version, you could share QR codes from your retired horses, so other players could pair them up with their own.
The original Pocket Card Jockey showed up on the 3DS in 2016. There is a demo available for people who want to try it out.
Pocket Card Jockey is immediately available for the 3DS, and Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! will come to Apple Arcade on January 20, 2023.
