I used to love the heroes in a half-shell as a kid, but I didn’t really remember how much until I cracked open some MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle booster packs. This crossover is such a love letter to the series, with deep cuts that had me going “oh yeah, I remember them!” and generally geeking out.
Designed to be fully compatible with core Magic: The Gathering, MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cards can be played with most match types… and they’re currently a lot cheaper to get hold of than usual thanks to Best Buy’s Black Friday in July sale. Numerous box sets – from the co-op Turtle Team-Up to fast-paced Draft Night – are on offer right now, and the prices here are far better than I’m seeing at the likes of Amazon. Because Magic’s one of the best card games, such massive savings aren’t as common.
Now, there is some consternation amongst the community about crossover sets like these because of whether or not they ‘fit’ Magic’s aesthetic… not to mention how they’re taking up increasingly more space on the release schedule. Indeed, the issue recently blew up when MTG head designer Mark Rosewater says fans must adapt or “walk away” if they don’t like Universes Beyond. While I agree with those concerns (it’s jarring to see Donatella fighting alongside high fantasy goblins, for example, and I’m bummed out at them taking up 50% of the lineup), I don’t think you could ever claim that Magic isn’t putting 100% into the design of releases like MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Besides boasting sumptuous art, they have clever mechanics – like Sneak, which allows you to swap out cards and hit your opponent with a nasty surprise – that genuinely enrich the game. As such, I do understand the appeal.
Particularly if you’re a diehard fan of the franchise in question. Like I say, I was instantly transported back to being a kid in front of the cartoon on Saturday morning when opening packs, and that’s the kind of feeling I wish I could bottle.
For more tabletop recommendations, be sure to stop by our guide to the best board games and the best tabletop RPGs.