• GBPGBP
  • EuroEuro
  • USDUSD

Tag Archives: collectible card games

Collecting, Fun Things

Magic: The Gathering Embraces Spider-Man in a Blockbuster 2025 Line-Up

Posted on by Owen

Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the trailblazing collectible card game that reshaped gaming culture since its debut in 1993, is swinging into 2025 with a spectacular crossover featuring Marvel’s Spider-Man. Launching on September 26, 2025, this set introduces Spider-Man, Venom, and a rogues’ gallery of villains to MTG’s strategic battlefield. Preorders are live on Amazon, offering Play Boosters ($209.70 for a box), Collector Boosters, Scene Boxes ($41.99) which include six new-to-Magic cards like “Grasping Tentacles” and “Pumpkin Bombs” tailored for Commander play, and a MTG/Spider Man Bundle ($69.99). This collaboration, the first of several Marvel-themed expansions, blends retro gaming heritage with modern flair, appealing to collectors and players alike.

The Spider-Man set is fully draftable and Standard-legal, featuring mechanics that mirror the web-slinger’s agility—think cards with evasion abilities—and Venom’s brute force, possibly tied to black mana’s sacrifice themes. Scene Boxes add a collectible twist, with foil cards forming larger artworks, while the removal of the Universes Beyond frame ensures a cohesive MTG aesthetic. This isn’t just a nostalgic nod; it’s a calculated evolution of a game that pioneered the CCG genre, influencing everything from Pokémon to today’s digital card games.

Beyond Spider-Man, 2025 is a packed year for MTG. The Final Fantasy set, releasing June 13, brings materia and summons to the table, blending JRPG roots with MTG’s mechanics—a treat for fans of classic console gaming. August’s Bloomburrow introduces an animalfolk plane, offering fresh lore and draftable play. Meanwhile, Duskmourn: House of Horror, out September 26 alongside Spider-Man, delves into horror with haunted house-inspired cards, rounding out a diverse slate. Each release builds on MTG’s legacy, rooted in tabletop gaming’s golden age, while pushing boundaries with new IPs and designs.

For collectors of gaming history, these sets echo the creativity of MTG’s early days, when expansions like Arabian Nights set the stage for thematic storytelling. Today’s crossovers marry that spirit with cutting-edge card design, ensuring MTG remains a cornerstone of gaming culture.

Protect your vintage collection with RetroShell, crafted for retro gaming preservation. Stay updated on classic gaming with our free Substack, arriving in your inbox every Monday!

Collecting, Fun Things

Final Fantasy Joins Magic: The Gathering in an Epic Crossover

Posted on by Owen

Two of the biggest fantasy franchises in gaming history are colliding as Final Fantasy makes its debut in Magic: The Gathering. Wizards of the Coast has revealed a first look at the upcoming Final Fantasy crossover set, bringing iconic characters, spells, and lore from Square Enix’s legendary RPG series into the world of collectable card gaming.

Credit: Wizards of the Coast

The announcement was made at MagicCon Chicago, where fans got an exclusive preview of the upcoming set. The cards will span multiple Final Fantasy titles, from the early NES-era classics to modern blockbusters like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy XIV. Expect to see legendary figures such as Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, and Terra Branford translated into beautifully illustrated Magic: The Gathering cards.

Credit: Wizards of the Coast

Beyond just character representation, the set will also introduce spells and mechanics inspired by the Final Fantasyuniverse. Summons like Ifrit and Shiva may appear as powerful creature cards, while signature magic like Ultima and Meteor could become game-changing spells. The crossover aims to capture the essence of both franchises, blending the deep lore and strategy of Magic: The Gathering with the beloved characters and worlds of Final Fantasy.

Credit: Wizards of the Coast

This is part of Wizards of the Coast’s ongoing expansion of Magic: The Gathering’s crossover series, which has already included properties like The Lord of the Rings and Warhammer 40,000. Given the passionate fanbase of both Magic and Final Fantasy, this collaboration is expected to be a major hit among collectors and competitive players alike.

The Final Fantasy set is slated for release in June 2025, with more details expected to emerge as the launch approaches. Whether you’re a longtime Magic player or a Final Fantasy enthusiast looking to experience the franchise in a new way, this crossover is shaping up to be one of the most exciting card game events in recent memory.

Protect your collection! If you’re a retro game collector, safeguard your treasures with RetroShell, the world’s finest game protector. And if you’re just here for the latest retro gaming news, subscribe to our free Substack—delivered fresh every Monday!