Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy Collab Has Opened a Pandora’s Box That Shouldn’t Be Closed Anytime Soon

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Without a doubt, the “Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering” set stands as the most financially successful in the history of trading card games. Within merely a day, it managed to generate an astounding $200 million – a figure that took the “Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth” six months to accumulate. The success of “Final Fantasy” not only enriched Magic: The Gathering but also demonstrated that Square Enix’s most iconic intellectual property was an ideal match for the trading card game.

Wizards of the Coast truly knocked it out of the park with the Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering collection, yet it’s not essential for every collaboration to be a one-of-a-kind phenomenon. Square Enix boasts numerous other well-liked franchises that could generate exceptional Magic: The Gathering expansions, such as Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest, and NieR. Even though these might not match the impressive sales figures of their predecessor, Magic: The Gathering still has plenty of opportunities to continue its fruitful collaboration with Square Enix, and ride this success wave even higher.

Square Enix is Ripe for More Magic: The Gathering Sets

Kingdom Hearts – Popular Series With a Mouse-Shaped Catch

One of Square Enix’s notable titles, Kingdom Hearts, rivals Final Fantasy in terms of raw enthusiasm, thanks to its historical inclusion of Final Fantasy characters. Characters like Sora, Riku, Heartless, Nobodies, and Keyblades could seamlessly integrate into Magic: The Gathering, making a crossover between the two games particularly appealing given that Kingdom Hearts 4 is currently in production.

To clarify, there’s a substantial challenge we need to tackle before this potential partnership can move forward: the involvement of Disney. Unlike other Square Enix projects, many characters and locales in Kingdom Hearts are derived from Disney’s intellectual properties. Known for being very protective of its characters, negotiating with Disney could potentially be a costly hurdle that might make things impossible.

The Charming Creatures of Dragon Quest

As a die-hard gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the magical world of Dragon Quest, though it might not have the same global fame as Final Fantasy. Yet, this series, designed by the legendary artist Akira Toriyama, boasts an equally dedicated fanbase and numerous games to its name. The fantastical creatures it introduces are so fascinating that they could easily find a home in Magic: The Gathering – from the charming Slimes to the iconic Golems. In fact, Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate is expected to hit shelves in 2026, marking the franchise’s 40th anniversary, and it’s only a matter of time before Magic: The Gathering jumps on the hype train!

The Existential Androids of NieR: Automata and NieR Replicant

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but gush about the explosive popularity that the 2017 action RPG, NieR: Automata, experienced, despite its roots reaching far back in time. With its tough gameplay, stunning visuals, and emotionally stirring sound design, the deeply existential tale of NieR: Automata left an indelible mark on gamers worldwide. The continued evolution of this captivating universe was further demonstrated with the enhanced prequel, NieR Replicant, in 2021.

With its unique weapons, compelling characters, menacing enemies, and fascinating abilities, it’s hard not to imagine how incredible they would be in a Magic: The Gathering setting!

An alliance between the worlds of Nier and Magic: The Gathering wouldn’t be a tough pitch, either. Known for his capitalistic leanings, Nier game director Yoko Taro has openly expressed his readiness to collaborate on various projects if the financial terms are favorable. With previous crossovers including FINAL FANTASY 14, Rainbow Six: Siege, and Stellar Blade, it’s plausible to imagine Magic: The Gathering joining this eclectic roster of games featuring characters from Nier.

Square Enix’s Deeper Cuts Hold MTG Potential, Too

  • Chrono Trigger
  • Romancing SaGa
  • Bravely Default
  • Octopath Traveler
  • Tactics Ogre Reborn
  • The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

Games produced by Square Enix, such as Chrono Trigger, Romancing SaGa, Bravely Default, Octopath Traveler, Tactics Ogre Reborn, and upcoming titles like The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, could potentially inspire unique Magic: The Gathering cards. However, while each game might find it challenging to support a full Magic: The Gathering set on its own, much like Final Fantasy did, combining them – maybe even with spin-off Final Fantasy games like Final Fantasy Tactics – could prove highly successful. In any case, Square Enix boasts a wealth of intellectual properties, and it’s hoped that Magic: The Gathering will not overlook these potential opportunities for long.

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2025-08-19 00:35