Wow
I only played the 1st TCG on Gameboy and still have it and play when I have the urge :D
It was a game like no other, a very refreshing change from the other PokéGames(Like how Mystery Dungeon Blue was to me(Just something new))
Sure most people won't spend much time on Pc games but this is a game where you can open, play a few matches and save and close again, simple enough really.
In D/P/P, R/S/E, can you not have the choice of doing Pokémon Contests ?(Personally instead of having to beat the Gym for a HM to work or to get somewhere, winning a contest would have also worked, shame they didn't consider this)
Just open your minds a little bit, so you suck at playing cards, I know I'm not the greatest TCG player but it's still fun as it's a challenge whereas Pokémon isn't;
Pokémon games I just chuck on my Kadabra/Alakazam and wipe the floor with anything in my way except for those unfortunate times and even then something else steps in, you cannot do this with TCG so it's an element of unknown :D
All cards are a little unrealistic tho Waudby, maybe do it in Episodes :P a 151 Card Deck(Excluding different card copies) 1st and etc...
Good luck on this :)