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Final Fantasy Meets MTG: A Cultural Crossover That’s Changing the Game

The recent Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond set featuring the long-standing and vastly popular world of Final Fantasy has done more than merge two iconic franchises. It has sparked a cultural moment, drawing in new players, breaking sales records, and redefining what a crossover can achieve in the world of trading card games.


Let's take a look at how Final Fantasy has impacted the MTG community and how the set is performing since its release.


MTG x Final Fantasy: A Record-Breaking Launch

Before it even hit shelves, the Final Fantasy set became the best-selling Magic: The Gathering release of all time. Hasbro’s CEO confirmed that preorder numbers alone had already surpassed every previous set in the game’s history. Since its official release, demand has intensified with prices skyrocketing and supply dwindling, especially on Collector products.


Magic The Gathering Final Fantasy Collector Booster display. Shows colorful character art. Price: $1,108.99 with shipping included.

Collector boosters are selling out at major retailers, and some cards are fetching thousands on the secondary market. I count my lucky stars that I preordered a play booster box at $144, and it was fulfilled. Now the market on these basic boxes have jumped to over $220 and continues to climb.


Why It’s So Popular

Several factors have contributed to the set’s explosive success:

  • Nostalgia and Recognition: With cards representing all 16 mainline Final Fantasy games, fans are seeing beloved characters like Cloud, Sephiroth, and Lightning brought to life in Magic’s gameplay. This emotional connection is a powerful draw for longtime gamers.

  • Mechanical Depth: The design team at Wizards of the Coast is insanely good at their jobs. They knew they were speaking to an audience familiar with complex RPG mechanics, which allowed them to create a set that is both flavorful and mechanically rich, appealing to both competitive players and collectors alike.

  • Stunning Art and Variants: From borderless surge foils to serialized Golden Chocobos, the set is a visual feast. The limited nature of some cards, like the 77 Golden Traveling Chocobos, has driven collector frenzy, with one selling for over $40,000.


Welcoming New Players

Perhaps the most exciting impact of the Final Fantasy set is how it’s opening the door for new players. Wizards of the Coast intentionally designed this Universes Beyond release to be a gateway for Final Fantasy fans who may have shown interest but never the commitment to pick up a Magic card before. The familiarity with RPG systems made the transition smoother, and the inclusion of accessible Commander decks helped ease new players into the format.


And with the introduction of Through the Omenpaths, Magic: The Gathering Arena has also embraced the crossover, offering digital versions of the cards and themed onboarding experiences to help Final Fantasy fans learn the ropes.


A Cultural Moment

This set is more than a product. It’s a celebration of two decades-spanning legacies coming together in a way that feels authentic and exciting. Whether you’re a 30-year vet or a Final Fantasy fan cracking your first booster, this release is a reminder of how games can bridge communities and generations.


And with reprints and restocks already in the works, it looks like this crossover is just getting started.

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