Magic: the Gathering, was inducted to the 2019 Toy Hall of Fame yesterday at a ceremony in Rochester, New York. Magic was joined by Matchbox Cars and Coloring Books in the Class of 2019. Other finalists nominated in September included Care Bears, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Jenga, Masters of the Universe, My Little Pony, Nerf Blasters, and Risk.
Class of 2019: Matchbox, Coloring Books, and MtG
The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998 in Salem, Oregon, before The Strong moved it to its permanent home in Rochester, New York. Nominations can be submitted by anyone, and toys are selected by a panel of experts and historians based on the following criteria: Icon Status, Longevity, Discovery, and Innovation.
Magic joins 68 previous winners that include alphabet blocks and G.I. Joe. Shannon Symonds, Curator of the collection, had this to say about Magic:
“Magic: The Gathering changed the landscape of collectible card gaming with its introduction more than 25 years ago, and it’s become a part of pop culture—leading to book series, electronic games, and even a series on Netflix. The fact that it continues to maintain popularity is a testament to its revolutionary gameplay and constant evolution, making it engaging for beginners and experts alike.”
The Strong is an independent non-profit organization that includes the National Museum of Play, National Toy Hall of Fame, National Video Game Hall of Fame and an educational program based at Woodbury School, among others.