Written by Jim Ziegler

With the success of Magic: The Gathering in the mid 90s, the end of the decade spawned countless imitators hoping to capitalize on the trading card game market. Eventually this led to the other two pillars of the genre, Pokemon TCG, originally distributed by Wizards of the Coast, and Yu-Gi-Oh, based on a legally distinct version of Magic that was intended to be a one-shot chapter in the manga.

 

For every card game that succeeded, a dozen have disappeared, covering multiple genres and franchises. Star Wars, for example, has had at least six different card games before Unlimited released in 2024. In fact, my first trading card game was Young Jedi, which was released in 1999 alongside Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

 

Popular anime franchises like Dragon Ball, Digimon, and Beyblade have all had multiple card games, and for a while blockbuster movies were getting in on the action. How many people remember The Terminator, James Bond 007, and the Austin Powers Collectible Card Game?

 

One of the stranger markets was game franchises that tried to branch out into TCGs. Long before Hearthstone, the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game let players explore Azeroth in cardboard form, although singles prices at the time suggest that most buyers were after the rare tabards and mounts that certain cards offered.

 

Some of these discontinued games have gotten a second life. The One Piece Card Game that came out in 2022 is predated by the One Piece Collectable Card Game, released in 2003, and 2024 Neopets Battledome TCG follows the Neopets Trading Card Game, also released in 2003.

 

It’s sad to see fun games like Rage and Legend of the Five Rings fall out of print and die, but occasionally fans keep these games alive. Young Jedi, despite having no official releases since 2001, had a World Championship event just last year. 

 

With so many games available, why not try a new one today? Flesh and Blood is popular with old-school Magic players, and Pokemon fans will probably enjoy Neopets: Battledome

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Pokémon Standard Constructed Tournament

Sunday, 3:00 PM

Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $7.

 

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

Receive a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack. Participants are entered into the end-of-season prize pool. Entry fee: $10

 

Pokémon GO Scavenger Hunt

Grab an achievement sheet in-store and GO out to collect them! Complete the scavenger sheet to earn a booster pack and a promo pack, and to be entered into a drawing for an Elite Trainer Box and other prizes. Entry fee: $10 

GATHER FOR MAGIC

SPECIAL EVENT: Win A Revised Dual Land

Saturday, 5:00 PM

Have you ever wanted your own dual land? Here’s your chance to win one! Bring your best deck and play for your shot at a Revised dual land! A minimum of eight players are required for that card to be available. Entry fee: $50

 

FNM: Standard Constructed Tournament

Friday, 6:00 PM

Standard is back at Gam3Escape! Bring your deck and battle with other Planeswalkers for packs, promos, and other prizes. Entry fee: $10

 

Commander-ish League

Thursday, 6:00 PM

Build a deck with only commons and uncommons (and a commander of any rarity) and play against other decks with the same restrictions! Can you break the board without breaking the bank? Entry fee: $10

 

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Grand Prix Series Advanced Constructed Tournament

Friday, 7:00 PM

Participate in the 2024 Yu-Gi-Oh! Advanced Constructed Grand Prix Series. Earn booster packs and OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

 

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, 7:00 PM, Saturday, 2:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn booster packs and OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Azurite Sea Lorcana League

Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED

Constructed Tournament

Tuesday, 6:00 PM

Battle on the ground and in space to take down your opponent’s base. Bring your favorite Star Wars: Unlimited deck and compete for pride and prizes. Entry fee: $10

 

Casual Play League

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM, Saturdays, 1:00 PM, Sundays 5:00 PM

Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form. 

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Casual Warhammer

Friday & Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

CARDFIGHT! VANGUARD!

Divinez Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

Check out Jim's articles at The Gamer: https://www.thegamer.com/author/james-ziegler/ and like, follow, and subscribe to his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Alolan_Professor