The Gundam Card Game is Bandai’s trading card game based on the Mobile Suit Gundam series. It launched worldwide in July 2025 in English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese, and it quickly won fans with its fast battles, iconic mobile suits and pilot pairings. This guide explains how the game works, every booster set so far, the starter products and the best way to begin.
Already play Bandai’s other big card game? Our One Piece OP17 guide and OP18 release date guide cover the latest One Piece sets.
Gundam Card Game at a glance
| Detail | Gundam Card Game |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Bandai |
| Worldwide launch | July 2025 |
| Languages | English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese |
| First booster set | Newtype Rising [GD01] |
| Second booster set | Dual Impact [GD02] |
| Deck | 50 cards plus 10 resource cards |
| Official app | BANDAI TCG+ for events |
What is the Gundam Card Game?
Gundam has been one of Japan’s most popular science fiction franchises for more than four decades, with many anime series featuring giant robots called mobile suits and the pilots who fly them. The Gundam Card Game brings those mobile suits and pilots together. Each set draws on different Gundam series, so fans can build decks around their favourite shows.
Bandai announced the game at its card games festival in Orlando, and released it worldwide in July 2025, with English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese versions arriving together.
How the Gundam Card Game works
Each player brings a 50-card main deck and a separate deck of 10 resource cards. Resources let you pay for cards, and you gain more as the game goes on, so bigger mobile suits come into play later.
- Units: the mobile suits that attack and defend.
- Pilots: characters you pair with Units to make them stronger and give them new abilities.
- Commands: one-off effects that can change a battle.
- Bases: cards that support and protect your side of the field.
Each player has shields protecting them. Attacks break through your opponent’s shields, and once they are gone, a final hit wins the game. Pairing the right pilot with the right mobile suit is at the heart of the strategy, and it is a big part of what makes the game feel true to the anime.
Pairing pilots with mobile suits
Pairing is what makes the game feel like Gundam. When you place a Pilot with a Unit, the two work together, often unlocking extra abilities or making the mobile suit tougher. Pairing a famous pilot with their signature mobile suit can bring extra rewards, so fans of the anime will enjoy recreating classic partnerships on the table.
Resource cards explained
Your resource deck is separate from your main deck. Each turn you add a resource, which gives you more to spend on cards. That steady growth means games start with smaller mobile suits and build up to big, powerful ones, a little like a battle that escalates over time. Planning when to play your strongest cards is a key part of winning.
Building your first deck
Start with a starter deck and play it a few times before changing anything. Once you understand how it works, open booster packs and swap in cards that fit your favourite series or play style. Many players build around one Gundam show, so their mobile suits and pilots pair naturally. Keep an eye on your resource curve, so you always have something to play each turn.
Gundam Card Game booster sets
| Set | English release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Newtype Rising [GD01] | 25 July 2025 | The first booster set, launched alongside four starter decks |
| Dual Impact [GD02] | 24 October 2025 | Adds After War Gundam X, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE and Iron-Blooded Orphans |
Dual Impact was the first booster set to add new Gundam series to the game, with After War Gundam X, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE and Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans all joining for the first time. More sets have followed since, so check our range for the latest releases.
Dual Impact [GD02]
Dual Impact is the second booster set and one of the most popular products for the Gundam Card Game. It released in English on 24 October 2025, and a booster box holds 24 packs. Its new series bring fresh mobile suits and pilots, which opened up many new deck ideas for players. Shop the Dual Impact GD02 booster box.
Starter decks and GUNDAM ASSEMBLE
Starter decks are the easiest way to start. Four starter decks launched with the game in July 2025, and more have followed, such as Iron Bloom [ST05] in September 2025.
Bandai also released special GUNDAM ASSEMBLE starter sets, which combine the card game with GUNDAM ASSEMBLE miniatures. Each one includes a 50-card pre-constructed deck, 10 resource cards, token cards, a damage counter sheet, a bonus pack, a playsheet and three miniatures, which makes them a great gift for Gundam fans.
Which Gundam Card Game product should you buy?
- For complete beginners: a starter deck teaches the basics with a ready-made deck.
- For a gift: a GUNDAM ASSEMBLE starter set adds miniatures for display.
- For collecting and building decks: a booster box such as Dual Impact gives you 24 packs.
Collecting Gundam cards
The Gundam Card Game has several rarities, with the rarest cards featuring striking artwork of famous mobile suits and pilots. Parallel versions with special artwork are popular with collectors, and many fans collect cards from their favourite series, such as Mobile Suit Gundam, Gundam Wing or Iron-Blooded Orphans.
- Sleeve your rares. Foils and parallels scratch easily.
- Collect by series. A binder for each Gundam show is a fun goal.
- Keep sets together. Card codes such as GD01 and GD02 make tracking simple.
- Buy sealed from trusted shops to avoid resealed packs.
The Gundam series in the game
Gundam has dozens of anime series, from the original Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979 to recent shows. The game draws on many of them, and each new set adds more. Dual Impact was the first set to add brand-new series to the game, bringing in After War Gundam X, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE and Iron-Blooded Orphans, and fans can expect more favourites to appear in future sets.
Gundam cards as a gift
Gundam fans of all ages enjoy the card game, so it makes a thoughtful present. A starter deck is perfect for someone new to card games, while a GUNDAM ASSEMBLE starter set adds miniatures to display on a shelf. For a fan who already plays, a booster box is the best treat, with plenty of packs to open and new cards for their decks.
Playing the Gundam Card Game in the UK
Many UK game stores now run Gundam Card Game events. Bandai’s BANDAI TCG+ app lets you find events near you, track your results and sign up for tournaments. Playing in a store is the best way to learn new strategies and meet other Gundam fans.
Is the Gundam Card Game good for beginners?
Yes. The rules are easy to learn, especially with a starter deck, and the mobile suit and pilot pairing system feels natural for anyone who has watched Gundam. Even if you are new to the franchise, the game is quick to pick up and fun to play.
Gundam Card Game and Bandai’s other TCGs
Bandai also makes the One Piece Card Game and other popular card games, and many players enjoy more than one. If you like Gundam, the One Piece Card Game shares a similar sense of style and is worth a look. Browse our English One Piece cards, including the OP-15 booster box.
Is it worth getting into?
If you love Gundam, it is an easy yes. The game captures the feel of the anime, with mobile suits and pilots working together, and new sets keep adding more series. For card game players who are new to Gundam, it offers a fresh system that is quick to learn and has plenty of depth once you start building your own decks. With English, Japanese and Chinese versions released together, it is also easy to follow new sets as soon as they arrive.
Start small with a starter deck, play a few games with a friend and grow your collection from there.
Gundam Card Game FAQs
When did the Gundam Card Game come out?
It launched worldwide in July 2025, with the first booster set, Newtype Rising, released on 25 July 2025.
How many cards are in a Gundam Card Game deck?
A deck has 50 main cards plus a separate deck of 10 resource cards.
How many packs are in a Dual Impact booster box?
A Dual Impact booster box contains 24 packs.
Which Gundam series are in Dual Impact?
Dual Impact added After War Gundam X, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE and Iron-Blooded Orphans, alongside series from earlier products.
Do I need to know Gundam to play?
No. The rules work on their own, although fans of the anime will recognise many of the mobile suits and pilots.
Is there a Japanese version?
Yes. The game is also printed in Japanese and Simplified Chinese, and the artwork is shared across languages.
Where can I find official Gundam Card Game information?
Bandai publishes rules, card lists and news on the official Gundam Card Game website.
