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10 Best Digital Card Games (CCGs)

Card games have long been a staple of the digital era. Remember Solitaire? Back in the day, it was one of the only ‘titles’ available on PC.

Fast forward a couple decades, and we’re no longer limited to traditional ‘ol playing cards (thank goodness). Not only that, but the best digital card games have seriously upped the ante. From fantasy-style AAA titles like Hearthstone to innovative indies like Mythgard, modern mechanics are insanely action-packed and immersive.

For fans of trading cards and collectible card games, this article takes you through the best digital variations on the market. Play your cards right, and you’ll be enjoying a brand new title in no time.

10 Best Digital Card Games

Starting with our #10 pick and moving to our #1 top pick overall, let’s go through the best digital card games.

10. Cultist Simulator

Cultist Simulator

The best digital card game simulator

  • Release: May 31, 2018
  • Developer: Weather Factory
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Mobile
  • Website: www.weatherfactory.biz

Have you ever wondered how cults form? Cultist Simulator offers a first-hand look into the secretive world of these mysterious mini-religions.

Cultist Simulator is a story-meets-simulation game that takes place in a far-off society. Assume control of a random citizen, and use cards to perform daily activities like work or studying. The catch? There are all different types of cards, ranging from the mundane to the absolutely insane. Depending on which ones you place into the action slot, you may or may not end up the leader of a crazy cult.

The game is a CCG fan favorite and has won numerous awards for its emotional atmosphere and innovative mechanics. Do you dare give it a try?

9. Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

Thronebreaker

The best online fantasy card game

  • Release: October 23, 2018
  • Developer: CD Projekt
  • Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
  • Website: www.thewitcher.com

Toss a coin to your witcher, and check out the Thronebreaker card game!

Thronebreaker combines traditional RPG and storytelling elements with mechanics from Gwent: The Witcher Card Game for an immersive single-player campaign. Assume control of Queen Meve as she leads her forces through battle, using the cards at your disposal to wipe away opposing troops. But be wary! Every action you make changes the course of the game – for better or worse.

Can you lead your forces safely through the Northern Kingdoms? Check out Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales on PC and console to find out! 

8. The Elder Scrolls: Legends

Elder Scrolls Legends

The best online trading card game for Elder Scrolls fans

  • Release: March 9, 2017
  • Developer: Sparkypants Studios
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, Mobile
  • Website: www.bethesda.net

Ready for something new? Become a legend in Bethesda’s latest Elder Scrolls spin-off title, the aptly named Elder Scrolls: Legends.

Gameplay is simple: two players start with a deck of cards, as well as a limited number of magicka. Both players must take turns deploying different cards – which range from support spells to creatures – to whittle down the other’s health points. Conserve your magicka for mighty blasts, or break down enemy defenses with an army of minions. How you play is up to you, but one thing remains consistent – the last one standing wins!

It takes cunning tactics and strategic use of your cards to come out on top. But if you think you can handle it, The Elder Scrolls: Legends is free to play on PC, console, and mobile devices.

7. Mythgard

Mythgard

The best indie card game

  • Release: September 10, 2019
  • Developer: Rhino Games
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, Mobile
  • Website: www.mythgardgame.com

Journey to the underworld where you’ll find Percy, the devil’s girlfriend, waiting for her lover to return home. The only problem? It’s been 1,000 years since he left, and Percy is ready for an adventure. That’s where you come in.

Assume control of Percy as you explore the steampunk-fantasy world of Mythgard. Use your deck of cards to battle against magical creatures from the mythology of yesteryear, including Witches and Vampires. Burn your own cards in battle to gain unexpected leverage, and decimate your enemy’s life points with unyielding force. When you’re ready, you can even try your hand against other players online!

Sound pretty cool, or what? You can read our full review of Mythgard here.

Yugioh

The best digital CCG for Yu-Gi-Oh fans

  • Release: November 17, 2016
  • Developer: Konami
  • Platforms: Windows, Mobile
  • Website: www.konami.com

It’s time to D-D-Duel!

Channel your inner pharaoh as you enter the exciting world of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. This free-to-play digital CCG takes inspiration from the anime and features many of the characters you know and love, including the likes of Seto Kaiba and Yugi Moto.

What’s gameplay like? Duel Links boasts the same rules as tabletop Yu-Gi-Oh, except everything’s been slimmed down. You’ve only got 4,000 life points, one main phase, and a reduced deck to play with. But believe in the heart of the cards, and nothing can stop you from achieving victory.

Don’t believe me? Try Duel Links yourself, available on PC and mobile devices.

5. Pokémon TCG Online

Pokemon TCG Online

The best online CCG for Pokémon fans

  • Release: March 24, 2011
  • Developer: Dire Wolf Digital
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, Mobile
  • Website: www.pokemon.com

Originally titled Pokémon Trainer ChallengePokémon TCG Online took a page from its namesake and evolved into a full Poké simulator. 

Launch the RPG-inspired virtual world on PC or mobile, construct your dream deck, and compete against other players using the same rules from the tabletop Pokémon CCG. Manage to beat them, and you’ll win tokens that are redeemable for booster packs, entire pre-constructed decks, and other miscellaneous goodies.

Now’s the time you’ve been waiting for. Hop into this stellar digital TCG and become a true Pokémon master!

4. Magic: The Gathering Arena

MTG Arena

The best online TCG for Magic: The Gathering fans

  • Release: September 27, 2018
  • Developer: Wizards of the Coast
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac
  • Website: www.wizards.com

Magic: The Gathering has been around since 1993. That’s nearly 30 years! Though the game boasts a dedicated fanbase, there have always been a few barriers to entry. Namely, you need a group of friends to play and a physical place to battle it out.

That is, until now.

Magic: The Gathering Arena opens the game up for new players all around the world, and follows the rules of the original game for easy access. Tap lands for mana, use that mana to summon Planeswalkers, then unleash devastation upon your enemy. There are all different types of creatures, spells, and enchantments at your disposal, and finding new ones is as simple as opening a (digital) booster pack.

It’s Magic: The Gathering at your fingertips.

3. Slay The Spire

Slay the Spire

The best mobile CCG

  • Release: November 14, 2017
  • Developer: Mega Crit
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, Mobile
  • Website: www.megacrit.com

What do you get when you cross roguelike elements with collectible card game mechanics? Slay the Spire, of course!

Select your character (complete with a predetermined amount of health, gold, and abilities), and pick a deck. Then, jump into the procedurally-generated spire to compete against a cascade of incoming enemies intent on stopping you in your tracks! Use your deck – alongside your wits and cunning – to make it through each encounter alive. But be careful! At the end of each level is a final boss, with a deck full of curses and other nasty surprises. 

Think you can make it to the top of the spire? Check out Slay the Spire on PC, console, and mobile devices.

2. Legends of Runeterra

Legends of Runeterra

The best online card game of 2020

  • Release: January 24, 2020
  • Developer: Riot Games
  • Platforms: Windows, Mobile
  • Website: www.playruneterra.com

Legends of Runeterra is the latest hit title to come from the development team over at Riot Games, the studio responsible for League of Legends.

Unlike many games in the CCG genre, the rules are quite innovative. Each player starts with a deck of cards and a nexus with 20 health. At the start of each turn, both players receive a mana gem, one player gets an attack token, and one player gets a defense token. As you might expect, each player can only carry out the action affiliated with their respective tokens. This makes for some wild encounters, and players must summon their Champion, Followers, and Spell cards with utmost consideration.

In the end, the last man standing claims victory – and the spoils! Neat, eh? You can read more about Legends of Runeterra by checking out our in-depth review.

1. Hearthstone

Hearthstone

The best digital card game overall

  • Release: January 24, 2020
  • Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, Mobile
  • Website: www.playhearthstone.com

From the creators of World of Warcraft comes the most popular digital collectible card game on the market: Hearthstone.

Hearthstone takes place within the Warcraft multiverse and features the same level of polish and detail you’ve come to expect from other games in the series. As such, you’ll find incredible worldbuilding, stunning audiovisuals, and the most intuitive gameplay on the market. The rules are simple: two players match up and battle it out, using their respective mana pools to summon monsters, activate spells, and use Hero Powers (unique character-based abilities).

Wipe your opponent’s health to zero… and you win! Easy, right? Hearthstone has a bustling community of players and even a dedicated eSports scene. It’s hands down the best digital card game overall, and we highly recommend it!

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