Chocobos, Commander, and Cracking Open Wallets: Magic: The Gathering Squeezes More Final Fantasy Goodness (and Gold)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Wizards of the Coast is rolling out a fresh wave of Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy products this December, capitalising on the original set's record-breaking success with new Chocobo-themed bundles, a Commander deck bundled with Final Fantasy VII, and collectible Scene Boxes, much to the delight (and impending financial peril) of fans.
Right then, gather 'round, mates, because I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder – and perhaps a bit more predictable – than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit *too* well? That's what Wizards of the Coast just did with their Final Fantasy crossover in Magic: The Gathering. And, like any good wizard who's stumbled upon a goldmine, they're back for another round.
Fair dinkum, according to Jake Kleinman over at Polygon, Wizards is indeed releasing even *more* Final Fantasy cards this December. And if you're wondering *why*, well, let's just say the initial Magic: The Gathering – FINAL FANTASY set didn't just break sales records; it apparently took the existing ones, politely asked them to step aside, and then proceeded to *obliterate* them in Magic's 33-year history. So, it really shouldn't come as a surprise that Wizards, being the savvy digital architects they are, are squeezing a little more juice – or perhaps, materia – out of this beloved video game franchise.
This whole affair was unveiled during the much-hyped preview panel at MagicCon Atlanta 2025. And while the calendar says we're still a bit off from December 5th – when all this new shiny goodness drops – pre-orders, as the community comments quickly showed, have been available and, shall we say, *enthusiastically* snapped up. Let's dig deeper into what’s arriving and what it means for our collections and our dwindling coin purses.
First up, and probably the most adorable (and likely fastest-selling, if player comments are anything to go by): **The Chocobo Bundle**. Oh, come on, who *doesn't* love a Chocobo, mate? These fluffy, yellow steeds of the Final Fantasy universe are getting their own dedicated bundle, and it's looking pretty swish. It’s packed with reprints from the original Final Fantasy set, all adorned with brand-spanking-new, chocobo-themed art. Plus, some of these cards were previously only found lurking in precon decks, which is a nice touch for those who missed out.
What's actually in this feathered treasure chest? You're getting 10 Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY Play Boosters – which, let's be honest, is where a lot of the fun (and frustration) lies. Then there are 32 FINAL FANTASY landmark basic lands (half foil, half non-foil), which I reckon will look brilliant. But the real kicker for me? **10 Chocobo track foil basic lands** and **2 of 20 Chocobo track foil borderless Chocobo Bundle cards**. And the promo card? None other than the classic 'Birds of Paradise' reimagined as 'Paradise Chocobo'. That's not just a reprint; that's an *aesthetic upgrade*, a proper flavour win! The inclusion of one of 24 non-foil cards from the Final Fantasy Scene Boxes, and a Chocobo-themed click wheel to top it off, makes this a surprisingly well-rounded package. The immediate sell-out online, as noted by Polygon's commenters, means you'll probably need to consult your local game store or perhaps a friendly moogle to find one.
Next, for those who appreciate the larger, more strategic battles, we have the **Final Fantasy Commander Bundle**. If you, like many, have been meaning to jump into the 'Limit Break' precon deck from the first wave, now’s your chance. But here's the clever bit, the unexpected enchantment: this special Commander bundle also includes a digital download code for the *original Final Fantasy 7 on Windows PC*. Talk about a two-for-one spell! You get to sling spells in Magic and then relive one of gaming's greatest sagas. That’s a move I can get behind – tapping into both the physical card game and digital nostalgia in one fell swoop. It's a genuinely thoughtful addition that transcends mere card-slinging, proving Wizards are still observing what makes gamers tick.
Finally, for the art connoisseurs and completionists, Wizards is offering up **four new Final Fantasy Scene Boxes**. Each of these is dedicated to a specific Final Fantasy game – we're talking Final Fantasy I, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX, and Final Fantasy XV. The hook here is pretty neat: each box contains six cards that, when laid out together, form one glorious, continuous piece of art. It’s like a mini-gallery for your gaming table, celebrating the iconic visuals of these legendary titles. I'm always a sucker for creative ways to display game art, and this one sounds like a genuinely cool collectible.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room, or rather, the stack of gil your wallet will be shedding. Pricing for these new Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy items, according to Polygon, will be as follows: Play Booster at $6.99, Collector Booster at $37.99, Commander Deck at $69.99, Collector's Edition Commander Deck a hefty $149.99, Final Fantasy 7 Commander Deck – Game Edition at $99.99, Bundle at $69.99, Gift Bundle at $89.99, Chocobo Bundle at $109.99, and the Scene Box at $41.99, with a Starter Kit for $19.99. Fair warning, your wallet might spontaneously combust if you try to snag one of everything. Wizards isn't shy about offering a spectrum of options, from entry-level to 'I'm selling my kidneys for foil' tier.
My take? This whole situation is a fascinating blend of corporate shrewdness and genuine fan service. On one hand, yes, Wizards is absolutely capitalising on a wildly successful partnership. The 'Universes Beyond' initiative, which brings IPs like Final Fantasy into Magic, is a goldmine for them, attracting new players who love the source material. On the other hand, they're delivering some genuinely cool products – the Chocobo Bundle looks fantastic, and bundling FF7 with a Commander deck is a stroke of genius. It's that delicate balance between 'squeezing juice' and 'giving players what they genuinely want and enjoy.' I reckon it's a net positive, drawing new blood into the Magic ecosystem, even if the rapid sell-outs mean we'll all be scrambling a bit more than usual to get our hands on them. Just another day in the wonderfully chaotic world of gaming, eh?
**Source:** *Magic gets even more Final Fantasy cards, including a Chocobo Bundle* by Jake Kleinman, published on Polygon.
Tags: Magic: The Gathering, Final Fantasy, Card Games, Gaming Collectibles, Universes Beyond
Original article: Polygon