'The Legend of Zelda' collectible trading cards to get limited release in June

Nintendo will soon launch a series of collectible trading cards featuring characters from its The Legend of Zelda franchise, an EB Games Australia retail listing revealed this week (via Destructoid).

EB Games expects the first wave of The Legend of Zelda trading cards to arrive in the last week of June.

Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda trading cards will be sold in booster packs that each include “six randomly inserted cards and one decal or tattoo.” Fans can also pick up a “Trading Cards Value Box” that includes four booster packs, an exclusive poster, and one of three collector’s pins housed in limited edition packaging.

The full 85-card set features characters, settings, and storyline details from five classic games in The Legend of Zelda series: 1998’s Ocarina of Time, Nintendo 64 follow-up Majora’s Mask, Wii-exclusive spinoff Skyward Sword, the 3DS A Link to the Past sequel A Link Between Worlds, and the recently remastered The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

In addition to glossy core-series cards, certain packs will also contain rare “chase” cards featuring foil designs. Collectors may want to buy up several packs in the hope of completing a full set of eight limited-edition gold foil cards, though their limited distribution makes hardcore collecting a pricey endeavor.

Nintendo will explore a similar market in Japan later this year with the upcoming launch of Splatoon-themed playing cards. The 52-card deck features stylized character art plucked from Nintendo’s popular third-person shooter, with Squid Sisters Callie and Marie making appearances via two included Joker cards. The Splatoon playing card deck will be available at retail stores in Japan in July.

Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda trading cards will be available in Australia starting on June 30. A North American release for the series has not been announced.