The yellow box has the face of a tiny game console, complete with a pixel smile. Open it and the joke continues. The Magician stands at a familiar table, but his raised wand, red robe and yellow sky are built from little squares.
8-Bit Fantasy Tarot is a pocket edition that recasts Rider-Waite-Smith scenes in the language of old video games. The fun is in seeing which details survive when a familiar picture has to fit on a much smaller screen.
The Magician still has work to do
Look at the Magician in the photo below. One hand reaches up, the other points down, and the tools on the table are still there. The strong outlines make the gesture easy to read. It is a good card to try if you know the traditional imagery and want to see how the deck translates it.
The Wheel of Fortune offers a different kind of pleasure. Its round shape has to be suggested with stepped lines, which gives it the look of an object waiting for you to interact with it. Across the spread, the printed card names help you find your bearings when the art takes a more playful turn.
A small deck for a small table
At 65 × 75 mm, the cards are nearly square. Three fit neatly beside a notebook without taking over the table. There is a tradeoff if you enjoy studying tiny background details. Give the gallery a close look first, especially if you prefer a larger card face for reading.
The Minor Arcana are worth browsing too. A spread of Cups shows how the deck handles ordinary scenes and small gestures, where the pixel style has less spectacle to lean on.
A quick reading between levels
Think of a task you keep putting off. Draw one card and ask what the next small move would be if you were already playing. The Magician might prompt you to list the tools you have on hand. A card that looks crowded might suggest clearing some space before you begin. Write down a move you can make in ten minutes and see where it gets you.
What comes in the box
The Pocket Edition contains 80 cards, including the standard 78 and two bonus cards. The deck is printed on 400 gsm double-coated art paper with a fine linen texture and varnish. The yellow two-piece rigid box has a soft-touch finish, and a velvet pouch is included.
See the cards and packaging in the 8-Bit Fantasy Tarot product gallery.
