Ethan Crossfield 
Square Enix has opened pre-orders for a new Final Fantasy collectible release ahead of the series’ 40th anniversary in 2027. Final Fantasy 40th Anniversary Square Enix Gallery Cards Vol. 1 is expected to arrive in April 2027, giving fans a reason to follow the celebration now while deciding whether to reserve a display box or wait for more cards to be revealed.
What changed with the Final Fantasy anniversary release?
Volume 1 is a trading-card collection built around artwork from across the Final Fantasy series. The set contains 180 different cards based on 97 pieces of artwork, including illustrations created specifically for this release. Square Enix has not revealed every card yet, so the final lineup remains partly unknown.
Each individual pack contains five cards, while a display box includes 10 packs and costs $49.90. Square Enix cautions that buying a full display box does not guarantee a complete collection, making the product better suited to collectors who are comfortable with randomized contents.
Which cards and features should collectors watch?
The collection includes Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Legend Rare cards, alongside foil versions and higher-tier special cards. Harmonic Rare cards include NFC functionality, allowing fans to enjoy music connected to the artwork. Phantom Legend Rare cards use a 3D hologram effect, adding a more visibly premium feature to the set.
The most distinctive item listed is an Ultima Legend Rare card. It has a serial number and a digital signature from Yoshitaka Amano. Because the collection also includes newly illustrated material, the appeal goes beyond simply reprinting familiar Final Fantasy images.
When does it release, and what comes next?
Pre-orders are currently available through the Square Enix Store, but the cards are not expected to ship until April 2027. That timing places the collection alongside Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, which is also set to launch in April 2027 and is described as the conclusion to the remake trilogy.
The card release is therefore one part of a much larger anniversary period for Square Enix. With the full contents still unrevealed, fans who are interested in specific characters or artwork may want to monitor future announcements before committing to multiple boxes.
What players should know
- Pre-orders for Final Fantasy 40th Anniversary Square Enix Gallery Cards Vol. 1 are open.
- The expected release window is April 2027.
- Each pack contains five cards, and each $49.90 display box contains 10 packs.
- The set has 180 cards using 97 pieces of artwork from across the Final Fantasy series.
- A display box does not guarantee every card type.
- Special features include NFC-enabled Harmonic Rare cards, 3D Phantom Legend Rare cards, and one serial-numbered Ultima Legend Rare card with Yoshitaka Amano’s digital signature.
Expert View
This is a substantial anniversary collectible rather than a gameplay release, and its randomized structure makes the purchase decision highly dependent on a fan’s interest in collecting. The premium card technology and Amano-signed Ultima Legend Rare add meaningful appeal, but waiting is reasonable for buyers who want to see the complete lineup before pre-ordering.
