Summary
- A new SpongeBob SquarePants Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drop will go on sale starting March 24 at 9 AM PT.
- Initial reactions to the crossover have been somewhat negative, as many players feel like Magic is getting too many pop culture crossovers lately.
SpongeBob SquarePants is venturing far beyond Bikini Bottom in a surprising new partnership that brings the beloved animated character and his friends into the world of Magic: The Gathering. Secret Lair, a special collection within the Magic: The Gathering universe, is set to release a crossover set featuring SpongeBob SquarePants characters.
The new Spongebob Squarepants collection of cards coming to Magic: The Gathering aims to reflect the personality and characteristics of each featured SpongeBob character. For example, Sandy Cheeks is represented as a Legendary Creature card that is indestructible, with spells that cannot be countered, a fitting nod to her impressive martial arts skills. Meanwhile, Patrick Star is depicted as a powerful creature (6/5), but with a design that humorously suggests he has no idea what he’s doing.
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Collider recently revealed the collaboration, which will see SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and other fan-favorite residents of Bikini Bottom translated into playable MTG cards. As part of the announcement, fans were given a first look at several of the upcoming card designs. While some SpongeBob SquarePants enthusiasts have expressed excitement over the unexpected crossover, the overall reaction from the MTG community has been more skeptical. Many initially believed the collaboration was a prank when posts about the Secret Lair set surfaced on the Magic: The Gathering subreddit. However, the cards are very real and will soon be part of the MTG universe.
SpongeBob SquarePants and Magic: The Gathering Collide in an Unexpected Crossover
Following the initial reactions that assumed the crossover was a joke rather than an actual product from Wizards of the Coast, the SpongeBob SquarePants Magic: The Gathering set has been met with widespread criticism. Many fans have taken to using SpongeBob memes to voice their disappointment, with the iconic “Ight, imma head out” meme becoming a particularly popular response. Others have referenced the well-known scene of Mr. Krabs asking himself, “Am I really going to defile this grave for money?” Before answering, “Of course I am!” Which is a reflection of the belief that the collaboration is more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the MTG franchise.
Longtime Magic: The Gathering players have been especially vocal about their frustration with the game's increasing number of pop culture crossovers. Many feel that the high-fantasy, lore-driven nature of MTG is being diluted by meme-heavy collaborations, leaving some questioning if they even recognize the game anymore. One player expressed their disappointment bluntly on Reddit, saying, “Look what they’re doing to the greatest card game ever.” Others are puzzled by the crossover’s intended audience, arguing that MTG’s core player base isn’t exactly eager to see SpongeBob SquarePants memes integrated into their beloved strategy game.
The collection is divided into three themed sets. First, Secret Lair × SpongeBob SquarePants: Legends of Bikini Bottom highlights the essence of each beloved character, transforming them into some of Magic's most powerful cards. Second, Secret Lair × SpongeBob SquarePants: Internet Sensation captures the show’s enduring impact on meme culture. Lastly, Secret Lair × SpongeBob SquarePants: Lands Under the Sea shifts the focus to the franchise’s most recognizable environments. The new Spongebob Squarepants set will officially go on sale starting March 24 at 9 AM PT. Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond sets in 2025 will also include Spider-Man and Final Fantasy.
Magic: The Gathering
- Original Release Date
- August 5, 1993
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Designer
- Richard Garfield
- Player Count
- 2+
- Age Recommendation
- 13+