Fantasy-themed games are always a blast, and today Rediscovered Realms is dusting off a relic from the early days of trading card games: BattleCards. Published in 1993 by Merlin Publishing and designed by Steve Jackson, BattleCards offered a unique, albeit short-lived, experience that stood out from its contemporaries. While it may be largely forgotten today, BattleCards deserves a spot in the history of fantasy-themed gaming for its innovative mechanics and quirky-fun features.
Great memory unlocked here! I never bought BattleCards in the 1990s but the previous decade before, 12-year-old me bought some Nintendo GameCardz in 1989. It was the same concept but instead of fighting other players you had to pick your pathway as Mario or Link from Legend of Zelda and scratch off to see what happened to you in that “level” of the game. For a 12 year old who’s parents thought an actual Nintendo was too expensive these GameCardz were a blast on a Saturday afternoon.
Oh, awesome, Scott! Legend of Zelda scratch-off cards sound fantastic. Didn't know about those Nintendo cards. Sounds like great memories - thanks for sharing!
Holy cow! I think I bought (or was bought) all of one pack of these cards. I must have been around 10/11 and had friends who played Magic. The desire to scratch off the wounds like a scratcher card was so compelling. Had no idea how to play with them, but this brought back a very distinct memory. (I think they may have been sold in a vending machine at a Super Saver grocery in Nebraska.)
Some great artwork here J.Q. but intrigued to see the late, great Terry Jones working at the Trading Post! 😁
I own a copy of Broadsword and the Beast. First Jethro Tull album I ever bought and it was because it had such a cool cover, so it’s good to find out who the artist is 👍🏼
Goodness, even the wrapper gives off a strong 1990's non-sports trading card vibe, with the fonts and the arrangement of the elements! I'm afraid I don't have any direct memory of Battle Cards, but I have to think that the disposable aspect was kind of a turn-off. In my experience, gamers are used to components being reusable, and they don't embrace it if you force them to shell out more money just to play the game again. I can understand it if SJG wanted to try to transfer the arcade mindset to tabletop games, but I think it was bound to fail.
I have to agree with you, Douglas. I'm a collector at heart - never really liked "trading" baseball cards, toys, etc. and always tried to keep my stuff in good shape. This BattleCards model works against my grain for those reasons, but I do adore the artwork and the creativity behind the mechanics.
Fascinating J. Q. I’ve never engaged in these types of games, but always saw the cards sold. I had no idea they were games. Thank you for the education. Many are beautiful.
Thank you, Charlotte! So great to see you. Yes, the art (and their artists) is so impressive. I'm glad you liked them. I can envision the magical Pendragons gracing many a medium like these.
You were right it was an interesting concept and the artwork did not disappoint. The mail in part reminds me of Topps doing something similar in the 90s. You had to scratch off certain field positions to score a run and then mail in the winning card to get special card back. Just pure excitement when it came in mail, ha.
Great memory unlocked here! I never bought BattleCards in the 1990s but the previous decade before, 12-year-old me bought some Nintendo GameCardz in 1989. It was the same concept but instead of fighting other players you had to pick your pathway as Mario or Link from Legend of Zelda and scratch off to see what happened to you in that “level” of the game. For a 12 year old who’s parents thought an actual Nintendo was too expensive these GameCardz were a blast on a Saturday afternoon.
Oh, awesome, Scott! Legend of Zelda scratch-off cards sound fantastic. Didn't know about those Nintendo cards. Sounds like great memories - thanks for sharing!
Holy cow! I think I bought (or was bought) all of one pack of these cards. I must have been around 10/11 and had friends who played Magic. The desire to scratch off the wounds like a scratcher card was so compelling. Had no idea how to play with them, but this brought back a very distinct memory. (I think they may have been sold in a vending machine at a Super Saver grocery in Nebraska.)
No way! That's crazy they were at a grocery store vending machine, Caleb! Thanks for sharing that memory.
Patrick Woodroffe also did some album covers, including Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest: https://open.substack.com/pub/criticalhitparader/p/patrick-woodroffe-album-cover-and
Wow - that's cool, Matt! Those are some badass covers. What a talented artist.
Some great artwork here J.Q. but intrigued to see the late, great Terry Jones working at the Trading Post! 😁
I own a copy of Broadsword and the Beast. First Jethro Tull album I ever bought and it was because it had such a cool cover, so it’s good to find out who the artist is 👍🏼
You nailed it about Jones, Dan! And that JT album cover is pretty epic. 💪
Goodness, even the wrapper gives off a strong 1990's non-sports trading card vibe, with the fonts and the arrangement of the elements! I'm afraid I don't have any direct memory of Battle Cards, but I have to think that the disposable aspect was kind of a turn-off. In my experience, gamers are used to components being reusable, and they don't embrace it if you force them to shell out more money just to play the game again. I can understand it if SJG wanted to try to transfer the arcade mindset to tabletop games, but I think it was bound to fail.
I have to agree with you, Douglas. I'm a collector at heart - never really liked "trading" baseball cards, toys, etc. and always tried to keep my stuff in good shape. This BattleCards model works against my grain for those reasons, but I do adore the artwork and the creativity behind the mechanics.
Fascinating J. Q. I’ve never engaged in these types of games, but always saw the cards sold. I had no idea they were games. Thank you for the education. Many are beautiful.
Thank you, Charlotte! So great to see you. Yes, the art (and their artists) is so impressive. I'm glad you liked them. I can envision the magical Pendragons gracing many a medium like these.
You were right it was an interesting concept and the artwork did not disappoint. The mail in part reminds me of Topps doing something similar in the 90s. You had to scratch off certain field positions to score a run and then mail in the winning card to get special card back. Just pure excitement when it came in mail, ha.
Right? Waiting 6-8 weeks for stuff to arrive in the mail was interminable!