Neopets is making a triumphant return in 2023, captivating fans worldwide as it gears up to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a revitalized virtual pet world. Partnering with Upper Deck, Neopets is introducing an exciting new trading card game (TCG) called “Neopets Battledome,” set to be released next year.
Details about the TCG are still sparse, but a brief announcement video on Upper Deck’s YouTube channel and a press release from the publisher have offered some insights. “Neopets Battledome” is touted as a fast-paced, two-player game, featuring its unique dice combat system, though exact mechanics remain under wraps.
In the upcoming TCG, Neopet cards showcase three distinct stats – attack, defense, and agility – influenced by the Neopet’s color. Color is a dynamic trait, altered by paintbrush cards that modify a Neopet’s hue, granting it bonuses from other cards. The game showcases a range of colors for the same Neopet, evident in promotional cards featuring Shoyrus in classic red and a modified rainbow, each with slightly varied statistics.
The initial release boasts 20 diverse Neopets across hundreds of cards, brought to life through over 250 stunning pieces of new art by renowned artists like Anthony Conley, Krista Staggs, and Shamine Athena King.
Besides Neopet cards, the game features Codestones, influencing different stats, and faerie cards that act as battlefield-wide buffs for pets of specific colors. These cards can also aid players in retrieving paintbrushes and other essential cards from their deck.
For those unfamiliar with Neopets, it was a captivating online phenomenon where users could purchase, trade, and care for virtual pets on an Adobe Flash-based web browser platform (RIP, Flash). After being purchased and then sold by Nickelodeon and Viacom to Jumpstart, the game eventually found its way to World of Neopia, Inc., thanks to an independent team of dedicated fans.
Following a failed NFT venture, the team shifted focus to community-driven initiatives and new games to rekindle interest in this cherished nostalgia from the era of Club Penguin, MySpace, and music torrenting.
Alongside the trading card game, a mobile game titled “World of Neopets” is set to welcome both new and old players into the Neopets universe, aiming to recapture the magic of the beloved virtual pet experience.
Interestingly, this isn’t Neopets’ first foray into physical TCGs; the “Neopets Trading Card Game,” published by Wizards of the Coast, was launched in 2003, catering to a younger audience. Although it saw pets competing in stat-based contests, it was discontinued in 2006.
Fans and enthusiasts eagerly await the unveiling of “Neopets Battledome,” which will be showcased at Comic Con and Gen Con before its full release in 2024. Stay tuned for more information as Dicebreaker reaches out for updates on this exciting journey back to Neopia!
