Who would have thought that a card game could become a staple in esports? Well, today Magic: The Gathering can add another honor to its growing list as the card game was officially inducted into the 2019 National Toy Hall of Fame. The game first made its debut back in 1993. Tournaments are still going on all around the world and have branched out into the world of esports with Magic: The Gathering Arena. It has captivated players for over 26 years and continues to go strong. The card game that started it all was inducted at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY.
It had some stiff competition
Magic: The Gathering actually ended up beating out some other very popular toys. The other finalists it beat included Care Bears, the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Jenga, Masters of the Universe, My Little Pony, Nerf Blaster, Risk, the smartphone, and the top. Since Magic: The Gathering first made its debut in the early ’90s, it has gone on to have a book series, video games, and soon a Netflix series from the Russo Brothers. The franchise has earned this wide scope of projects from its ongoing creativity and cultivating a strong relationship with its fanbase, who are invested in the ongoing narrative. I am sure other fans would agree.
The curator of the museum Shannon Symonds praised Magic: The Gathering: “The fact that it continues to maintain popularity is a testament to its revolutionary gameplay and constant evolution, making it engaging for beginners and experts alike.”
Alongside Magic, Matchbox Cars and the coloring book were also inducted today in the Toy Hall of Fame. Whether you play Magic the traditional way or in Magic: The Gathering Arena, you can be proud to be a part of its long history.
