Top 20 Best Trading Card Games
These games have provided countless kids (and many adults) with endless hours of entertainment! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the coolest and most enduring trading card games.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the coolest and most enduring
00:11trading card games.
00:19Number 20.
00:20Universe's Collectible Card Game Originally known as the Universal Fighting
00:25System until its rebrand in 2021, Universe's is surprisingly one of the longest running
00:31trading card games on this list.
00:38It's well known for featuring several licensed properties over the years, including animes
00:43such as My Hero Academia, the popular web series Critical Role, and most recently the
00:49legendary Godzilla.
00:56The best part about it is that all the sets are cross-compatible, meaning you can mix
01:01and match your favorite franchises in the same deck.
01:07Number 19.
01:08Chaotic Trading Card Game Originally created in Denmark around the beginning
01:15of the 21st century, Chaotic quickly became a popular niche card game overseas.
01:21This can easily be attributed to the game's unique battle system, which pits two players
01:25against each other with an individual monster and battle gear, attacking until one emerges
01:31victorious.
01:36While the online version of the game has long since been taken down, Chaotic was the only
01:41franchise to be able to fully integrate a solid game across multiple platforms.
01:46Now that is dedication.
01:52Number 18.
01:53Duel Masters Trading Card Game Spawned from the Duel Masters manga and anime
01:59series, the collectible card game is played much like Magic the Gathering.
02:07Creatures and powers are used to attack and destroy the other player, and the game has
02:12a lot of strategic depth.
02:14Duel Masters was the best-selling card game in its native Japan for over a year after
02:19its release there in 2002.
02:21Its success stateside was more moderate, and it was discontinued in America in 2006.
02:27In 2012, Duel Masters would be rebranded and given new life under the title Kaijudo, Rise
02:33of the Duel Masters.
02:37Unfortunately, this wouldn't last very long, but Duel Masters itself continues to dominate
02:42to this day in Japan as one of the biggest card game franchises.
02:48Number 17.
02:49Card Fight Vanguard Trading Card Game
02:52Time to represent your astral spirits!
02:55A rather unique entry for our list, Card Fight Vanguard pits two players against each other
03:00as astral spirits on a faraway planet.
03:08With a finite number of units to call to their side, the player loses when he or she gets
03:13hit with too many damage cards or runs out of units.
03:21A monumental collaboration between creators of the Yu-Gi-Oh and Duel Masters that was
03:25first released in 2011, the game attributes most of its success to the popular anime of
03:31the same name.
03:32The card game still continues to this day, with a plethora of anime series released with
03:37it.
03:42Number 16.
03:43The Netrunner Franchise
03:45Let's leave the magic behind and dive into the world of cyberpunk.
03:50Inspired by the William Gibson novel Neuromancer, this is yet another card series created and
03:55published by wizards of the coast.
03:58Netrunner casts characters as hackers competing with each other to hack and steal valuable
04:02data from a megacorporation.
04:05While considered an underrated title by fans, critics praised Netrunner for addictive gameplay
04:11and impressive artwork.
04:12The game eventually won everyone over, and despite being discontinued, there's an expandable
04:18card game based on it under the name Android Netrunner.
04:22If the runner takes more damage than the number of cards in his hand, he is flatlined.
04:27Number 15.
04:28World of Warcraft Trading Card Game
04:31When an MMORPG isn't enough, add a card game.
04:35Not to be confused with Blizzard's online card game Hearthstone, this trading card game
04:40was first released in 2006, and it pits players against each other one-on-one or with allies
04:46in an arena-style form of combat.
04:49Due to the monumental popularity of World of Warcraft, over 20 sets of cards were released,
04:54giving players control over almost every major character from the franchise.
04:59While the series was discontinued after a successful seven-year run, it later gave way
05:04to the even more popular Hearthstone series.
05:07So we can let this one go.
05:14Number 14.
05:16Vampire – The Eternal Struggle
05:18Now these are real vampires, not ones that sparkle.
05:23Designed in 1994 as the second venture from famed creator Richard Garfield, Vampire is
05:28set in the world of darkness and sets rival players as vampires from different clans in
05:33the eternal struggle for dominance.
05:35Unlike most trading card games that focus on a duel between two players, Vampire works
05:40best with a group of five in a King of the Hill-style match, or it can even be played
05:45in teams.
05:46Regardless of how you play, Vampire – The Eternal Struggle shines a new light on the
05:51world of darkness.
05:53Number 13.
05:54Weissschwarz Characters from the Japanese manga and anime
05:58are the focus of the next collectible trading card game on our list.
06:10Weissschwarz was released in 2007, the title of which translates from German into black
06:16and white.
06:18The game's rules aren't for the faint of heart and present a complex yet dynamic gaming
06:22experience for adept CCG players.
06:25The artwork on these Weissschwarz cards is sumptuous to say the least, and it feels collectible
06:32even if one doesn't want to play the game.
06:38There have also been many participating titles that lent their anime likeness to the Weissschwarz
06:43brand, ensuring hours upon hours of gameplay.
06:51Number 12.
06:52The Dragon Ball Collectible Card Game Franchise
07:00There have been several different collectible card games that have capitalized upon the
07:03popularity of both Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.
07:07The original Dragon Ball Z collectible card game arrived first in 2000, and lifted imagery
07:12directly from the anime.
07:13Bandai would then develop the Dragon Ball Collectible Card Game in 2008, before replacing
07:18it with the Dragon Super Ball Collectible Card Game in 2017.
07:23Fans of the franchise have been particularly pleased with this latter entry, thanks to
07:28its energetic and unpredictable playing style.
07:34The artwork has also resonated with fans, making this Dragon Ball card game one of the
07:38most faithful adaptations to the collectible market.
07:45Number 11.
07:47Arkham Horror – The Card Game The literary world of H.P.
07:51Lovecraft is full of rich mythologies and even crazier creatures.
07:55This imagination led to many film adaptations of Lovecraft's work, while 2016 ushered
08:01in a card game that attempted to bring the author's fictional city of Arkham, Massachusetts
08:06to life.
08:13Arkham Horror – The Card Game isn't one for beginners, or those new to card games
08:18in general, but instead offers harrowing stories of mystery and cosmic horror to those who
08:23dare to open its contents.
08:30There's deck building involved and a little bit of chance, as well as strategy and detective
08:36skills that will go a long way into uncovering what lurks behind the dark, or underneath
08:41the waves.
08:45Number 10.
08:46Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars is branched out in so many other
08:50forms of media that it's no surprise it has its own trading card game.
08:54As the youngest entry on this list, Unlimited has been designed by Fantasy Flight Games
09:00to be easily accessible to newcomers.
09:07The objective of the game is to destroy the other's base card, with both players getting
09:12their own leader card along with a deck consisting of resource cards.
09:16Star Wars Unlimited is one of the most promising card games in a long time and we can't wait
09:20to see where the future expansions take it.
09:28Number 9.
09:29The Final Fantasy Trading Card Game Franchise Whoever said that Japanese manga and anime
09:34needed to have all the fun when it came to collectible card games?
09:39The Final Fantasy franchise received its own CCG back in 2011, titled Chapter, although
09:45this version wouldn't see a release outside of Japan, it wasn't until 2016 that a new
09:51iteration of the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game would be issued worldwide, with the Opus
09:56series.
09:57Thankfully, fans around the world received a solid and commendable game with Opus, since
10:02it faithfully adapts a lot of elements from the Final Fantasy franchise.
10:07Everything from crystals and creature summons is available here, while the gorgeous artwork
10:11on each card is sure to evoke strong feelings of nostalgia for many Final Fantasy veterans.
10:23Number 8.
10:24The Digimon Card Game Franchise The comparisons between Pokemon and Digimon
10:29will probably never end, at least by the uninitiated, but that doesn't mean that both franchises
10:35can't each enjoy their famous trading card series.
10:42The history of the Digimon Card Game dates back to 1997, when Bandai's first version
10:47was released for the Japanese market.
10:52The current version of the game debuted in 2020, bringing back its nostalgic fanbase,
10:57while also ushering in new fans that are fascinated by the concept of these digital monsters.
11:03When you Digivolve, you must draw one card from the top of your deck.
11:07The art is bright and vibrant, the rules easy to follow, and the strategy here is compelling
11:12enough to keep bringing players back for more.
11:21Number 7.
11:22Marvel Champions – The Card Game It sort of goes without saying that Marvel
11:27Comics' rich world of heroes and villains serves as perfect fodder for a competitive
11:32card game.
11:37The goal here is a classic good versus evil scenario, with players teaming up their heroes
11:42to take down a sinister supervillain and his nefarious plans.
11:46The inclusion of both well-known heroes and more niche characters is a nice touch, while
11:51the various expansion packs keep stories and scenarios fresh for players.
12:02The Marvel Cinematic Universe may not be what it used to be, but at least fans of these
12:06characters can revisit them here with Marvel Champions – The Card Game.
12:15Number 6.
12:16One Piece – Card Game The One Piece manga and anime franchise is
12:20another one that received the collectible trading card treatment back in 2022.
12:29Copies of the game and its cards were initially slow to make their way overseas from Japan,
12:34but this TCG, much like its source material, continues to gain international popularity.
12:40And why not?
12:41Building up a dope pirate crew in your deck is tons of fun, as are the battles and competitive
12:46game mechanics of One Piece.
12:52This card game can be understood by beginners, while also being mastered by expert players
12:57who want to take their skills all the way.
12:59It's this versatility that helps make the One Piece card game so cool.
13:06Number 5.
13:08Flesh and Blood The explosive popularity of Magic the Gathering
13:11is what eventually helped inspire the creation of the Flesh and Blood card game back in 2019.
13:22The game's creator, James White, had previously been a professional magic player and decided
13:27to parlay this experience into his own card-based venture.
13:31The resulting Flesh and Blood game adhered to a fantasy backbone with regards to story
13:36and art, similar to Dungeons and Dragons.
13:42A class system is in place, each with its own pros and cons, while players primarily
13:47focus on their intellect and life points during each game.
13:51It's an easy game to learn, and a good one for those who feel entering Magic the Gathering
13:55at this point is too daunting a proposition.
13:59We hope this knowledge sees you well for your coming adventures in the world of Flesh and
14:02Blood.
14:03Number 4.
14:04Disney's Lorkana The wonderful world of Disney is no exception
14:09to the scores of IPs being adapted into a collectible card game.
14:13You'll discover another world of trading, playing, and of course, fun.
14:18Thankfully, Disney's Lorkana seems to have been worth the wait, since it brings to life
14:22countless classic Disney characters and inserts them into an exciting world of play.
14:27Ink is used to summon various Disney heroes and villains, from Mickey Mouse and Elsa to
14:32Captain Hook and Robin Hood.
14:34Characters always challenge other characters, not a player.
14:37Naturally, brand recognition went a long way into the initial success of Disney's Lorkana
14:42in 2023.
14:44But we wouldn't still be discussing it a year later if it wasn't also a good game.
14:50It's also a solid potential bet for younger players looking to dip their toes into the
14:54CCG and TCG market.
14:57Alright, so let's learn Lorkana.
14:59Number 3.
15:00The Yu-Gi-Oh!
15:01Trading Card Game Yeah, we know, it's time to duel.
15:05Now Kaiba, prepare yourself, because it's time to duel.
15:10Based on the fictional Duel Monsters plot device in the Yu-Gi-Oh!
15:13Anime adaptation, this TCG sees two duelists set in opposition to each other.
15:19Using monsters, spells, and traps to deplete their opponent's life points.
15:23Launched in 1999, the game has been praised for its ease of play and unique card designs.
15:29You can never send fewer than two monsters to the graveyard to link summon Decode Talker.
15:34As of 2021, the Yu-Gi-Oh!
15:36Trading Card Game has sold more than 35 billion cards, snagging the spot as the best-selling
15:41card game in the Guinness Book of World Records.
15:44Clearly, they're doing something right.
15:46They must believe in the heart of the cards.
15:48Behold, the unstoppable Exodia Incarnate!
15:52Number 2.
15:53Pokemon Trading Card Game The Pokemon Trading Card Game has been around
15:56for over 15 years, but it's easier than ever to learn how to play.
16:00I choose you!
16:01No, not Pikachu, give us Charizard instead.
16:05The Pokemon Card Game features two Pokemon trainers as they duel with their individual
16:09inventory of Pokemon in order to knock out their opponents and win the prize.
16:14The card game is heavily influenced by the accompanying anime series and video games,
16:19bringing simulated Pokébattles to the tabletop and schoolyard.
16:22You can attach an energy card to one of your Pokemon once during each turn.
16:26This hasn't hindered the card game's success.
16:29The game was massive in the late 90s and early 2000s, but recently it's received a gigantic
16:34boom due to it being extremely popular with collectors, because, well, you gotta catch
16:39em all.
16:40Scarlet and Violet 151, available now!
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16:59Number 1.
17:00Magic the Gathering Magic the Gathering is a trading card game
17:03that offers tactical gameplay, epic worldbuilding, and a passionate community of players across
17:08the globe.
17:09One of our top crown is the world's first trading card game.
17:12Created by Wizards of the Coast in 1993, Magic pits two mages against each other in an effort
17:19to pull mana from the land and triumph over each other.
17:23As the game's popularity skyrocketed, it became a household game staple and spurred the creation
17:28of a tournament circuit for tabletop and card games.
17:35On top of the game's colossal success, Magic celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023, and
17:41has an estimated 50 million players as of 2023.
17:45Here's to another 30 years of tapping that mana!
17:55What's the first trading card game you ever played?
17:58Let us know in the comments!