The Card Collab – Issue #16
There has never been a better time to get into trading card games.
Whether you're looking to compete, collect, build decks with friends, or simply find a new hobby, there are more choices than ever. Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Riftbound, Lorcana, Gundam, and plenty of others are all fighting for a place at the table.
But with so many options, where should someone actually start?
For this list, we’re looking beyond simply asking which games are the most popular. A good TCG needs more than strong sales. It needs an active community, enjoyable gameplay, room to grow, and a reason for players to keep coming back.
Based on those factors, these are the three trading card games we recommend putting on your radar.
Magic: The Gathering
Best for: Gameplay, strategy, and long-term play
It's hard to make a list like this without putting Magic at the top.
Magic has been around for more than 30 years, and somehow continues to find ways to bring new players into the game. Its biggest strength might be the sheer amount of freedom it gives players. Between Commander, Standard, Limited, Modern, and other formats, there are countless ways to play.
The game also rewards players who want to go deeper.
You can pick up a preconstructed deck and start playing relatively quickly, or spend years learning deckbuilding, strategy, card interactions, and different formats. There's always another mechanic to learn and another deck to build.
I know that from experience.
A year ago, I started playing Magic and didn't expect it to become such a significant part of my life. What started with The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth eventually led to weekly Commander nights, prereleases, new decks, and even The Card Collab.
That personal experience is part of why Magic stands out to me. It isn't just a game that you can pick up. It's a game that can grow with you.
And the numbers continue to support its staying power. Magic ranked #1 among TCG product lines on TCGplayer in Q2 2026, based on the total dollar value of singles and sealed product sold.
For someone looking for a TCG that can become a long-term hobby, Magic remains one of the easiest recommendations to make.
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Best for: Collecting, accessibility, and nostalgia
Pokémon occupies a unique position in the TCG world.
You don't necessarily have to be a serious card game player to appreciate Pokémon cards. The characters are recognizable, the artwork is accessible, and the collecting side of the hobby is just as strong as the competitive side.
That makes Pokémon an incredibly easy entry point.
Someone can start collecting because they love Pikachu, Charizard, or another favorite Pokémon and eventually become interested in learning how to play. On the other hand, someone can approach it entirely from a competitive perspective and never care about completing a collection.
That flexibility is a major strength.
Pokémon also has something that very few other TCGs can replicate: decades of nostalgia. Someone who collected cards as a kid can return to the hobby years later and immediately recognize characters they grew up with.
That creates a bridge between generations of collectors and players.
From a market perspective, Pokémon remains just as strong. It ranked #2 on TCGplayer in Q2 2026, behind Magic and ahead of One Piece.
But numbers only tell part of the story.
Walk into a card show and you'll see Pokémon everywhere. Open a binder and there's a good chance you'll find it. Talk to collectors and there's a strong possibility they have at least one Pokémon card that means something to them.
That's what makes Pokémon such an important part of the hobby.
It's not just a TCG.
For many people, it's a piece of their childhood.
One Piece Card Game
Best for: Competitive play, collecting, and a growing community
If Magic represents longevity and Pokémon represents accessibility, One Piece represents something different: momentum.
The One Piece Card Game has quickly established itself as one of the biggest TCGs in the hobby. In TCGplayer's Q2 2026 rankings, One Piece placed third in total sales, behind Magic and Pokémon.
And it's easy to understand why.
The One Piece franchise already has a massive fanbase, but the card game has developed an identity of its own. The game offers competitive depth while giving collectors plenty of reasons to chase cards featuring characters they already love.
We've also had the chance to see that interest firsthand.
At the most recent OP-17 release, we attended Friday Night Magic on the same night as the One Piece event. While our group was there to play FNM, the store was also hosting the OP-17 release, and the turnout was incredible.
There were more than 100 people attending the One Piece event.
By the time we arrived to play Magic, there was only one table left, just enough room for our pod.
That moment said a lot.
You could literally see the demand for the game sitting across the room.
While we were getting ready to shuffle up for Commander, the One Piece event had filled the rest of the space with players competing, opening product, and getting their hands on the newest set.
And this wasn't happening at some massive convention.
It was a local game store.
That kind of turnout is exactly what makes a TCG worth paying attention to. A game can have great cards and a recognizable franchise, but without people actually showing up to play, it becomes difficult to sustain.
The game's latest set, OP-17: The World's Strongest Warriors, also marks the game's fourth anniversary period, with official release events running around the set's launch.
For players who enjoy competitive TCGs but also want a strong connection to the characters and world they're playing with, One Piece is one of the most interesting options right now.
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The One to Watch: Riftbound
If these are our three picks, where does that leave Riftbound?
We’d put it just outside the top three, but it's definitely a game worth watching.
Riftbound has something the other three don't: it's still relatively young. That means there's an opportunity to get involved while the game and its community are still developing.
It also has the advantage of the League of Legends universe behind it, giving it an established audience from the beginning.
Riftbound ranked #6 on TCGplayer in Q2 2026, after ranking fifth in Q1.
That doesn't mean it isn't worth playing. In fact, its position makes it one of the more interesting games to keep an eye on.
If you're looking for something newer rather than jumping into one of the established giants, Riftbound could be the game to try.
Which TCG Should You Play?
The answer depends on what you're looking for.
If you want deep strategy, variety, and a game you can spend years learning, Magic is an obvious choice.
If you're looking for collecting, recognizable characters, and an easy entry point, Pokémon is hard to beat.
If you want a younger competitive game with a massive built-in fanbase and an increasingly active community, One Piece deserves serious consideration.
And if you want to get into something newer, Riftbound is worth keeping on your radar.
The important thing is that there isn't one TCG that's objectively right for everyone.
That's part of what makes the hobby so interesting.
Final Thoughts
When I first got back into trading card games, I only really knew what I wanted to play. A year later, I've realized there are so many different ways to enjoy the hobby.
Some people want to compete. Some want to collect. Some want to build decks with friends every week. Others are chasing a specific card, attending every card show they can find, or turning their passion into a business.
That's something we've continued to see through The Card Collab. The more players, collectors, vendors, and local shops we’ve talked to, the more obvious it becomes that there isn't one definition of being part of the TCG community.
And that's a good thing.
Whether you're sleeving up a Commander deck, opening your first Pokémon pack, learning One Piece, or giving Riftbound a shot, the best TCG is ultimately the one that gives you a reason to sit down and keep playing.
The hobby is bigger than the cards. And there has never been more to explore.
[Photos: Obie Pagaduan]