The long-awaited Neopets Battledome Trading Card Game will be released June 26, arriving in time for the 25th anniversary of the beloved online virtual pet game, Upper Deck announced Friday.
Neopets, which became a darling of early 2000s internet culture, has released a TCG once before, back in 2003. That project lasted all of three years before being discontinued.
The TCG, which Upper Deck describes as a fast-paced tabletop game, will utilize decks of cards featuring Neopets characters and pit two players against one another in a best-of-three face-off.
“Millennials thrive on nostalgia, and there’s no better way to revisit your youth than with the iconic Neopets brand,” said Jason Masherah, president of Upper Deck. “Our new Neopets Battledome Trading Card Game bridges generations, offering adults a throwback to their favorite childhood characters and younger collectors and gamers an introduction to the exciting magic that Neopia brings."
Upper Deck already sells TCG and tabletop games such as “Marvel Contest of Champions: Battlerealm” and “Dungeon Draft.”
Neopets has seen a tumultuous few years as the brand sought to reinvent itself in the 2020s. This included a short-lived attempt to leverage its brand in the NFT craze, much to the chagrin of its devoted fans.
After reportedly operating at a loss for more than a decade, the company received $4 million in 2023 “with plans to nurture a shared dream of an immersive, community-driven gaming experience,” according to a blog post from the company. In the post laying out future plans for the company, Neopets separated itself from NFTs and crypto, writing “for the first time in over a decade, [the team is] equipped to make meaningful changes in pursuit of a Neopian renaissance.”
Upper Deck also announced plans to release more sets this year and the launch of a website to find Upper Deck and Certified Diamond Dealer-approved tournaments, a deck building tool as well as other features geared toward the game.
"Teaming up with Upper Deck allows us to deepen the connection between Neopets fans and their favorite characters in new and inspiring ways," said Dominic Law, CEO of Neopets. "Neopets Battledome Trading Card Game extends the virtual game experience, immersing players in the world of Neopia like never before."
The TCG will be sold through Upper Deck’s site as well as its Certified Diamond Dealer hobby shops in the U.S. and Canada. Starter decks will cost $19.99, and booster packs start at $3.99.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor at cllct.