The 10 best TCGs for beginners to start playing! From long-established titles to newcomers to be released in 2023, we introduce them all! Updated in October, 2023

Recently, DCGs (digital card games, also known as online TCGs), which can be easily enjoyed on smartphones and other devices, have become popular. However, the popularity of TCGs is still strong because of their high strategic value, the collectability of beautiful cards, and, above all, the game's ability to compete directly against a live opponent.

In this article, we introduce a selection of "beginner" TCG titles recommended by Akiba Research Institute. I want to start playing TCGs! But I don't know which one to start with. ...... We hope that readers like you will take a look.

Item

What is TCG?

Recommended TCG titles

Unique: Enjoy unusual rules and deck building

Easy type

Duel Masters

• Release date: May 2002
• Distributor: Takara Tomy
• Abbreviated name: DUEMA

This title was developed by Wizards of the Coast as a derivative of "MTG (Magic: The Gathering)," and is released in Japan by Takara Tomy. The game has been developed with children in mind, with the original manga serialized in the monthly magazine "Korokoro Comic" (Shogakukan), and features easy-to-play and easy-to-understand rules while the game design is in the vein of "MTG.

The game is designed in the style of "MTG," but with easy-to-play and easy-to-understand rules. It is a title that has enjoyed stable popularity for many years.

Card Fight! Vanguard

• Release date: February 2011
• Distributor: Bushiroad
• Abbreviated name: Vanguard, Vanga

Bushiroad, a company that produces many TCGs, is engaged in a large-scale media mix centered on card games, and is famous for having the celebrity DAIGO as its image character.

The main feature of the game is that players fight while strengthening their main unit called "Vanguard." When attacking, players can turn over their deck of cards and draw a trigger card to gain an advantage in the battle. The first player to deal 6 damage to the opponent's Vanguard wins the battle.

The deck is limited to 50 cards, but the player must also include a specified number of Ride cards to strengthen the Vanguard and the aforementioned Trigger cards, making for an interesting game in which strategy in deck construction and the ability to draw cards make the difference between victory and defeat.

Strategic

Building Divide -Bright

*Image shows booster pack "Anime "Youth Butajiro" series

• Release date: February 2023
• Distributor: Aniplex
• Abbreviated name: Bill Divide-Bright

Aniplex's TCG title released on February 24, 2023. Based on the fun of the original TCG "Bill Divide TCG," this title features tie-ups with popular Aniplex anime and improved rules to make it easier for new users to play.

Players attack with "Territory Cards," which play a leadership role, "Unit Cards," which depict various characters, and "Command Cards," which have special effects, and attack an opponent with zero cards in the life zone, or with zero cards in the opponent's deck and life zone. The game is won when the opponent draws a card. In addition to the depth of strategy, this title also offers the collectible fun of building a deck with your favorite anime characters.

Related article
Bocchi Za Rokku! Popular Anime Works Collaborate One After Another, Including "BOTCHI ZA ROKKU! The 3rd "Building Divide -Bright-" ["TCG Hajimete no Kikakuteki Koza!

Magic: The Gathering

*Image from the official website

• Release date: August 1993
• Distributor: Wizards of the Coast
• Abbreviations: MTG, Magic, Gather, etc.

The world's first TCG released in the U.S. in 1993, and a long-established title that continues to release new bullets even today. It has a very wide range of players, young and old, male and female, and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the "most commonly played TCG.

Players build decks consisting largely of land cards and spell cards, and use the mana generated by the land cards to summon creatures or use instant magic to attack their opponents. The game is won when the opponent's life points are reduced to zero first, or when the opponent can no longer draw cards from his or her deck.

The basic format is a one-on-one match, but depending on the rules, there are many variations of how to play, such as playing with multiple players or special victory conditions.

Authorized stores also distribute a "Welcome Deck," which includes two sets of 30-card decks. This is a great way for players who want to try out a TCG title with a long history to experience it easily and want to play right away.

Battle Spirits

• Release date: September 2008
• Distributor: Bandai
• Abbreviated name: BATTLESPIRITS, BS

This title was created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Bandai's development of "Card Das," and is available not only in booster packs sold in stores, but also in Card Das vending machines.

It features cost management using actual counters called "cores" when summoning character (spirit) cards and using magic cards. The game is won if the opponent's life is reduced to 0 or if the opponent has 0 cards in his or her deck at the beginning of his or her turn.

There is no upper limit to the number of cards in the deck, which allows for a wide range of strategies, but there is a disadvantage in that it takes time to draw the cards you need if you have too many. Famous characters such as "Ultraman," "Kamen Rider," and "Evangelion" also participate in the game as collaboration boosters, and the new illustrations by popular illustrators are also popular.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game Duel Monsters

• Release date: February 1999
• Distributor: Konami Digital Entertainment
• Abbreviated name: Yu-Gi-Oh OCG

Based on the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" manga and anime series, this title is inspired by the card game played by the characters in the series. In 2009, it was recognized by Guinness World Records as the "World's Largest Selling Trading Card Game" (the world record was broken in 2011).

There are three major card types: monster cards, magic cards, and trap cards, and the player who reduces his or her opponent's LP to zero first wins. In 2020, "Yu-Gi-Oh Rush Duel," an easy-to-play derivative title with simplified rules, faster tempo, and enhanced reversal elements, will also be released.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game

• Release date: February 2011
• Publisher: Square Enix Co.
• Planned and distributed by: Hobby Japan Inc.
• Abbreviated name: FF-TCG

A TCG based on Square Enix's signature RPG "FINAL FANTASY" series, players build a deck using characters and summoned beasts from the original story, and develop their game by balancing offensive and defensive strategies.

The first player to inflict 7 points of damage on his or her opponent wins. In addition to the numbered titles in the series, many characters from derivative titles such as "FINAL FANTASY Zero" and "FINAL FANTASY Tactics" also appear in the game. Fans of the original game will also be pleased to know that many of the card effects include elements that recreate scenes from the events of the original game.

The game has gained popularity not only in Japan but also in the U.S., France, and other foreign countries, where large-scale tournaments such as the Asia Grand Championship and the World Championship are being held. Hobby Japan, the developer of the game, has posted official one-point advice on how to play with overseas players, and the game has been gaining momentum worldwide.

Shadowverse EVOLVE

• Release date: April 2022
• Distributor: Bushiroad
• Abbreviated name: EVOLVE

A real card game of "Shadowverse" presented by Cygames and Bushiroad, which started product development in April 2022.

The game follows the basic rules of the app game version, such as the player who fights the opponent using followers, spells, and amulets and reduces the opponent leader's health to zero wins the game. However, additional elements such as the concept of "Quick" and "Stand Act", which allow players to act during their opponent's turn, provide a different range of strategies.
This is a title with high expectations for the future, and is a must-play for players who have already experienced "Shadowverse" through the app game version.

Related Article
Let's play the new TCG with the music unit "C;ON"! Part 1: "Shadowverse EVOLVE" [New Series: "TCG Beginner's Course!

Unique

WIXOSS

• Release date: April 2014
• Distributor: Takara Tomy
• Abbreviated name: Wicross

A TCG title announced in conjunction with the TV anime "selector infected WIXOSS". Players attack with two types of character cards: "Rurig," the player's alter ego, and "Signi," which support the Rurig, and the first player to directly attack an opponent whose life is reduced to zero wins.

The game features heated play, such as having to play 7 cards at random from the deck instead of life counters, which means that important cards must be played face down as life.

Currently, the game is being developed as a new series "DIVA SELECTION," in which players can choose three Rurigu to fight, so that even players who have never touched "WIXOSS" before can enjoy the environment right now.

Vividz

• Release date: August 2022
• Distributor: BROCCOLI
• Abbreviated name: Vividz

Broccoli, which has been involved in various TCGs over the years, including "Z/X," has announced its first new title in about 10 years, to be released in August 2022.

This title features a unique victory condition: instead of attacking opponents or characters to beat them, the player must complete the contents of three mission cards corresponding to the cards representing the main characters in the deck, called "account cards," before his or her opponents do. Players can enjoy the asymmetrical game element of clearing missions with different contents from each other while making full use of character cards and event cards.

In addition, a dedicated tool "Link Vividz" is available for casual online matches using smartphones, so even TCG beginners with a deck can easily enjoy playing against players all over Japan.

TM and © 2022, Wizards of the Coast, Shogakukan, Mitsui/Kids, ShoPro, TV TOKYO ©TOMY

(C) TOMY (C) LRIG/Project WDA
© Cygames, Inc. ©bushiroad All Rights Reserved.