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I was sceptical about MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but a surprising connection to the arcade games may have won me over

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Tabletop heroes in a half-shell

Two turtles rock out with 80s-style instruments
(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
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It's no secret that the Magic community is divided on Universes Beyond sets, so I was hesitant going into a press briefing for MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A level of care and attention to detail is always evident in releases like Final Fantasy or Lord of the Rings, but with the sheer avalanche of UB crossovers heading our way in 2026, it's hard not to be nervous about quantity overwhelming quality at this point.

While I'm still leery of there being more Universes Beyond Magic sets than original IP this year, hearing from the MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles designers helped put me at ease. For starters, it was immediately obvious that these folks are hardcore TMNT fans. The thing that really did it for me was the Commander deck's theme, though. Yes, it celebrates the turtles over the years - but, in a fun throwback to an era that introduced so many of us to the series, it's themed around a night out at the gaming arcade. Old-school villain Tempestra is trying to spoil the fun by bringing video game copies of heroes and villains to life, which is a neat way of exploring different eras in one deck while still keeping things coherent narratively. Sure, "story" isn't a big consideration for many in decks like this. But for me, the internal logic at play here indicates that this is more thoughtful than a mere turtle-themed deck capitalizing on our love of heroes in a half-shell.

MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles essential info

Donatello looks surprised as a laser fires at a canister of goo on a busy, crowded desk

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
  • Draws from every era of TMNT
  • Range of products for multiple experience levels
  • First of four Universes Beyond sets in 2026

Because it's based on a separate franchise, this set is what developer Wizards of the Coast calls a 'Universes Beyond' release. That means it sits outside of Magic's own worlds (like MTG Lorwyn Eclipsed). However, it should be noted that MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can be used with other Magic sets.

Is MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Standard-legal?

Yes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set can be used in Standard; it is officially Standard-legal. That means you can mix Leonardo, Donatello, and the rest into a deck with classic Magic characters should you so choose, or take them to competitive Standard matches.

Which formats can MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles be used in?

There are multiple types of Magic TMNT cards, and these can be used with different formats. The main set (code TMT, shown with a Ninja Turtle icon) is legal in every single format. However, the Eternal Legal set (e.g. cards from the Commander deck, Turtle Team-Up box, etc) are only legal for Commander, Vintage, and Legacy game types. These are identified by the shell or pizza icons.

Is MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on MTG Arena?

Yes, you can play the TMNT Magic set on MTG Arena (available as a phone/tablet app or on PC/laptop via Steam) as of March 3.

MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles release date

Various different versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from different eras hug against a city backdrop

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

There's not long to wait until MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arrives; it's due to land in early March both on MTG Arena and tabletop. As per usual for a Magic set, though, there's plenty going on surrounding the launch. Here's an exact breakdown of what to expect, and when.

  • Pre-release: February 27 - March 5
  • Commander Box League: February 27 - March 5
  • MTG Arena: March 3
  • Tabletop: March 6

MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mechanics

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles surfboarding through the sewers

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
  • 'Sneak' is the set's biggest addition
  • Ooze mutagen tokens power up cards
  • Alliance returns

A new MTG set usually means new mechanics, and that's certainly the case with TMNT. Although it's lighter on new rules than you might expect, the ones it does introduce are significant. As an example, 'Sneak' (the set's signature addition) is going to be brilliant or an absolute pain in the butt depending on who's using it - I'm calling it now.

Sneak: Because the turtles are ninjas, it's only right for stealth to play a big part in this set. Sneak is the signature new mechanic as a result, and it's a doozy. It allows you to return an attacker you control to your hand and put out a card with 'sneak' for less than the usual mana value, often providing a nasty surprise for your foe.

Ooze Mutagen token: The ooze that mutated the turtles is a major presence in MTG TMNT, and it's depicted as a token you can use to give your cards +1/+1.

Alliance: The turtles are famous for working as a team, so it's no surprise to see this mechanic returning. Alliance lets you deal damage to an opponent when another creature you control enters, so it pairs very well with sneak.

Disappear: This may seem like a new mechanic, but it's actually 'revolt' with a new name. Basically, you get benefits if something you control left the battlefield.

MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles alt-art

Line art of a turtle swinging through the city, with swords raised

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

Every good MTG set has a range of special alternative art treatments to chase, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is no different. Here's what you can expect, and where to get them:

  • Borderless Kevin Eastman headliner cards (signed): The original illustrator of TMNT returns with brand new art for each turtle. These will only be available in Collector Boosters.
  • Borderless Pixel cards: These alt designs celebrate TMNT's arcade history by featuring a pixel art style. They're only available in surge foil, and you'll find them in Collector Boosters.
  • Borderless Silhouette cards: These stylish cards depict the turtles and their supporting cast as moody silhouettes, bedecked in shadow. They're available as non-foil and traditional foil, and you can find them in either Play Boosters or Collector Boosters.
  • Source material cards: As the name suggests, these reuse art from the comics for a dose of nostalgia. Non-foil versions can be found in Play and Collector Boosters, but traditional foil is only available in Collector Boosters.
  • Japanese showcase: These gorgeous designs celebrate Japanese artists with their signature style. They're available as traditional and fractal foil in Collector Boosters.

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Benjamin Abbott
Benjamin Abbott
Tabletop & Merch Editor

I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and now manage GamesRadar+'s tabletop gaming and toy coverage. You'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news.

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