TCG Card Shop Simulator

About

TCG Card Shop Simulator is a trading card game shop simulation where you manage a shop, sell booster packs, and collect cards to build your business. Design your store, stock popular products, and host card games to attract customers and expand your business. Find rare cards in booster packs to sell for a profit or complete your own collection. Keep your store clean and adjust inventory to cater to customer demands.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+16

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 46,912 reviews

gameplay568 positive mentions

grinding512 negative mentions

The graphics feature a charming art style, particularly in the card artwork, which many players find beautiful and creative.
The gameplay is engaging and addictive, striking a perfect balance between strategy and relaxation, making it enjoyable for fans of card games and simulation.
The game evokes nostalgia and emotional connections, with players expressing heartfelt memories and joy during their experience.

The graphics are often described as mediocre and reminiscent of older simulator games, with some character designs being considered unattractive.
The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy over time, especially after reaching higher levels, leading to a tedious experience for some players.
The game lacks a substantial narrative, with limited quests and character development, which detracts from the overall depth and engagement.

gameplay
1,470 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
57%
4%
The gameplay of "TCG Card Shop Simulator" is characterized by a simple yet addictive loop involving managing a card shop, opening packs, and trading cards, which many players find engaging and nostalgic. While the mechanics are intuitive and the game offers a satisfying balance of strategy and relaxation, some users note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, especially in the late game. Frequent updates and the potential for new features are anticipated to enhance the experience further, making it a promising title for fans of simulation and card collecting games.
- “Balancing inventory, pricing, and marketing strategies keeps the gameplay fresh, and the seasonal events and tournaments add depth and replayability.”
- “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between strategy and relaxation.”
- “The gameplay loop is incredibly satisfying.”
- “The gameplay loop becomes a bit repetitive over time, but the collection factor helped me keep interest.”
- “The gameplay gets repetitive but if you enjoy it you'll end up spending hours going in a loop selling cards.”
- “The gameplay loop is wait for customer to come, check customer out, select change.”
grinding
547 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
5%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many noting that while the early gameplay is engaging, it becomes increasingly tedious and repetitive as they progress, particularly after level 20 or 30. Players often describe the grind for achievements and card collection as "very grindy," with some suggesting that mods can alleviate some of the tedium. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy grinding mechanics, but it may deter players looking for a more varied or less repetitive experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Average amount of grinding.”
- “The game has potential, but in its current form you need to spend a lot of time grinding to make progress.”
- “It's a fun game until you reach about level 30 then comes the extremely tedious grind, it's a very boring gameplay loop that is amazing when things are coming fast and you can feel progress, but when you have completely flushed out the mechanics within the first few hours of play and have a routine.”
- “The game is not bad at all, but after a few hours you notice that there is a lot of grinding and a lot of it is just totally routine, it quickly becomes torture and boring.”
graphics
514 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
5%
The graphics in the game are generally described as simple and functional, with many reviewers noting a charming art style, particularly in the card artwork, which is often praised for its beauty and creativity. While some players find the overall visuals to be mediocre or reminiscent of older simulator games, the engaging gameplay and unique aesthetic compensate for these shortcomings, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of card games. Additionally, there are hopes for future updates to enhance the graphical quality and variety.
- “The graphics are charming, and the gameplay is both relaxing and rewarding.”
- “The card artwork is gorgeous, and the different types of cards available—whether they’re rare, limited edition, or basic—add a layer of excitement to every decision I make in my store.”
- “With its charming graphics and addictive gameplay, this title is a must-try for fans of card games and simulation enthusiasts alike.”
- “The graphics aren't the greatest looking (on par with most simulator games these days), not that I was expecting much.”
- “This should have been in the oven longer—a lot longer—and not relied so much on what appears to be asset store models and graphics, as it just ruins any type of aesthetic this game could have had, which ultimately makes it completely soulless and generic.”
- “The graphics are actually terrible and some of the character faces are mind-bendingly hideous, but it doesn't matter because the game is so fun.”
humor
271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying the chaotic and absurd scenarios, particularly the mechanic of spraying "stinky" customers with deodorant. Many find the quirky interactions and customer complaints, such as the humorous references to odors and the absurdity of managing a card shop, to be both entertaining and relatable. However, some players feel that the stinky customer mechanic can become repetitive and annoying over time, detracting from the overall fun.
- “This game is hilarious, chaotic, and ridiculously fun.”
- “The addition of quirky challenges, like dealing with 'stinky' customers, adds a humorous twist that keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
- “There's something humorous about walking up to a stranger, spraying them with deodoriser, watching them recoil in disgust, but their addiction means they know you know they'll still be buying your crack afterwards.”
- “You're not funny!”
- “Not funny, hee hee.”
- “You're not funny!”
music
197 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
58%
8%
The music in the game is generally described as chill and soothing, complementing the relaxed gameplay and creating a cozy atmosphere. However, many players find the soundtrack repetitive and suggest adding more variety to enhance immersion. Overall, while the music serves its purpose well for background ambiance, some players prefer to mute it and listen to their own music or podcasts.
- “The soundtrack is soothing and perfectly complements the gameplay, making it easy to lose hours in this simulator without even realizing it.”
- “The music is chill enough to make even the most intense card battle feel like a spa day.”
- “It's the full experience without anyone breathing down my neck to 'actually do my job.' There’s something so cozy about running a little card shop while vibing to some music in the background, it’s like the perfect mix of relaxation and productivity without actually doing anything productive.”
- “The music is really annoying after listening to it on repeat for a few hours.”
- “Needs a better soundtrack, and opening packs feels dreadfully slow.”
- “Would love a way to change the shop music, as the current track reminds me of The Sims and does trigger a sense of drowsiness while mindlessly opening packs to increase shop profit.”
story
196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
70%
24%
The game lacks a substantial narrative, with players primarily engaging in the mechanics of running a trading card shop without a defined storyline or character development. While some quests exist, they are often limited and can be bugged, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, the absence of a compelling story detracts from the potential depth of the gameplay, leaving players desiring more engaging content and progression.
- “Moral of the story, you never know what life holds in store for you, and if I would have given up when all the odds were stacked against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “Here is a prime example of why a game doesn't need to be a AAA, visually stunning, mechanically intensive, story-rich masterpiece to be fun.”
- “In a world filled with high-octane action and dramatic storytelling, TCG Card Shop Simulator dares to venture into the thrilling life of a trading card shop owner.”
- “There's no story to follow within this simulator, just brief intel regarding you, as the player previously has decided to ditch your previous work to start your own adventure as a store manager and owner.”
- “There's no real narrative aside from owning a card shop, and while a story isn't strictly necessary, having some progression or events with future updates would be a nice touch.”
- “As of this review, there is no 'story' or 'campaign' mode, and I don't know if there will be, but even if not, the general day-to-day of running the store is just as fun for me as any game of this nature would be for most.”
optimization
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
54%
6%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback from players. While some report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others highlight significant optimization issues, particularly in early access, suggesting that the game can be unplayable without mods or that it suffers from engine-related problems. Despite these concerns, many players find the gameplay engaging and enjoyable, indicating that with further optimization, the game has the potential to improve significantly.
- “The game runs smoothly on the original Steam Deck (LCD) and is a very enjoyable experience with minimal faults.”
- “I got super hooked in the demo and the amount of customization, small decisions, and optimizations you can make are really engaging.”
- “Despite its complexity, the TCG card simulator runs smoothly, even during high-intensity matches with many cards on the board.”
- “Game is poorly optimized and unplayable without mods.”
- “Regardless, this game is either horribly unoptimized, or has something more malicious going on under the hood.”
- “Despite the game's simplicity, it is extremely poorly optimized.”
stability
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
2%
78%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players noting minor bugs and glitches typical of early access titles, such as freezing during specific actions and issues with NPC interactions. While some users report a generally smooth experience, particularly on devices like the Steam Deck, others have encountered significant stability problems, including complete system freezes. Overall, the developers are actively addressing these issues, and many players remain optimistic about future improvements.
- “For an early access game, this is great; not buggy, and there are hours of stuff to do to build up your store.”
- “Honestly, the best game I've played in a long time considering I main PvP games; simple gameplay runs great even on my low spec laptop.”
- “Great simulator for those who want to chill; runs great on the ROG Ally X.”
- “Just completely freezes my entire laptop to where I have to force shut down.”
- “I really wanted to like this game but this is way too buggy to play.”
- “Edit: latest patch seems to have made my game unstable as it freezes every time loading up a game or new game.”
monetization
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
18%
72%
The game's monetization model has been well-received, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases, which they feel creates a level playing field. Many users express a desire for optional advertising features to enhance gameplay and attract more customers, suggesting that the developer's approach is a labor of love rather than a cash grab. Overall, the community is hopeful that the game will continue to evolve without resorting to exploitative monetization practices.
- “I especially like that there are no microtransactions.”
- “On top of that, being able to break open booster packs - especially just for regular in-game currency and not as some free-to-play monetization system - brings so much to this type of game.”
- “Love the fact that there are no in-app purchases, which puts everybody on the same playing ground.”
- “But a lot of red flags this is just another Chinese low-quality cash grab.”
- “Then again, I don't see how any larger publisher (even Nintendo) would do this type of game nowadays without using it as a vessel for in-app purchases.”
- “It feels a lot like Speedrobo was looking for some cheap advertising for their unknown board games and the dev took the bait.”
replayability
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
57%
5%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the variety of strategies, seasonal events, and frequent updates that keep the gameplay fresh. However, some users find it too linear or time-consuming, leading to mixed opinions on its long-term replay value. The potential for future content and community support suggests that replayability could improve further, especially for fans of trading card games.
- “Every update comes full of content and the replayability is insane.”
- “It's a solid simulator with great replay value, especially for fans of trading card games.”
- “Replayability: with multiple ways to build your card shop and an endless variety of strategies to experiment with, the TCG card shop simulator offers high replayability.”
- “Too time consuming, no replayability and is just an AFK simulator.”
- “Not sure how replayable this game is though, I don't imagine I'd ever feel the need to start over again for a different experience as it is very linear and grindy enough that there's no real reason to play it again once you've beaten it.”
- “The replayability is close to 0.”
atmosphere
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy, vibrant, and nostalgic feel, reminiscent of real-life trading card shops, enhanced by engaging ambient sounds and appealing art style. Players appreciate the relaxing environment that fosters a sense of community and personalization, although some note that certain elements, like the owner's demeanor, can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's charm and addictiveness, making it a delightful simulator for fans of the genre.
- “The cozy atmosphere makes you feel like you’re running your dream card shop, and the gameplay is both fun and engaging.”
- “The ambient sounds of customers browsing, chatting, or even battling in the store add to the overall atmosphere.”
- “The art style is vibrant and appealing, creating a cozy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home in your shop.”
- “This choice not only emphasizes the grim nature of the gameplay but also creates an atmosphere that feels suffocating and oppressive.”
- “Visited recently and while the selection of cards and accessories is great, the atmosphere is ruined by the owner.”
- “This game almost has an atmosphere.”
emotional
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often highlighting its ability to evoke nostalgia and heartfelt memories, particularly related to childhood experiences. Many describe moments of joy and sadness, with some even shedding tears during gameplay, indicating the game's profound impact on their feelings. The blend of wholesome elements and the exploration of emotional themes resonates strongly, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “This game made me cry daily.”
- “To be honest, I cried a little after completing the final achievement as it brought back much childhood memories.”
- “Beyond the immediate financial implications, this experience has struck a deep emotional chord within me.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its cute and quirky designs, which enhance the lighthearted atmosphere and overall enjoyment. The well-detailed character designs, particularly of customers and card art, contribute significantly to the game's personality and aesthetic appeal.
- “The character designs, especially the customers and various card art, are well-detailed and add personality to the overall atmosphere.”
- “The character designs are cute and quirky, adding to the game’s lighthearted feel.”
- “The character designs and shop aesthetics add to the overall enjoyment of the game.”

Buy TCG Card Shop Simulator

17h Median play time

28h Average play time

7-40h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 249 analyzed playthroughs

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