---
product_id: 276877339
title: "Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude"
brand: "stronghold games"
price: "R846"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 5
category: "Stronghold Games"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/276877339-stronghold-games-terraforming-mars-prelude
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# 90-120 min playtime 1-5 players Ages 12+ strategic depth Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude

**Brand:** stronghold games
**Price:** R846
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🚀 Ignite your Mars conquest before anyone else!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude by stronghold games
- **How much does it cost?** R846 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/276877339-stronghold-games-terraforming-mars-prelude)

## Best For

- stronghold games enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted stronghold games brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Seamless Integration:** Compatible with all Terraforming Mars expansions for endless replayability.
- • **Fast-Track to Victory:** Speeds up early game phases, cutting downtime and maximizing engagement.
- • **Strategic Synergy Boost:** 7 new project cards designed to enhance early-game engine building.
- • **Jumpstart Your Mars Mission:** Prelude cards accelerate early terraforming for instant strategic impact.
- • **Expand Your Corporate Empire:** 5 new corporations add fresh, dynamic gameplay options.

## Overview

Terraforming Mars: Prelude is a thrilling expansion that accelerates the early game with new Prelude cards, corporations, and projects. Designed for 1-5 players aged 12 and up, it enhances strategic depth and integrates seamlessly with all Terraforming Mars expansions, delivering faster, more engaging gameplay in 90-120 minutes.

## Description

As the mega corporations are getting ready to start the terraforming process, you now have the chance to make those early choices that will come to defi ne your corporation and set the course for the future history of Mars - this is the prelude to your greatest endeavors! In Terraforming Mars: Prelude, you get to choose from Prelude cards that jumpstart the terraforming process, or boost your corporation engine. There are also 5 new corporations, and 7 project cards that thematically fi t the early stages of terraforming. Terraforming Mars: Prelude is the third expansion to the smash-hit game, Terraforming Mars, and can be combined with any other expansion or variant.

Review: Brilliant 'fast-forward' expansion & adds a tad more starting strategy - An excellent expansion which speeds up the early few generations of the game, which otherwise can feel a bit slow and also allows for more strategic/synergistic picks of your starting corporation and starting cards.
Review: Des forêts, plein de forêts ! - Un jeu du tonnerre guère plus long à plusieurs que tout seul. On n'a qu'une envie, enchaîner les parties.

## Features

- 1 to 5 players
- 90 to 120 minutes average playtime
- For ages 12 and up

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B07F4J9MFZ |
| Additional Features | Jump-start Terraforming Process, New Corporations and Project Cards |
| Age Range Description | Teen |
| Are Batteries Required | No |
| Best Sellers Rank | #18,983 in Toys ( See Top 100 in Toys ) #673 in Board Games |
| Brand | Stronghold Games |
| Brand Name | Stronghold Games |
| CPSIA Cautionary Statement | Choking Hazard - Small Parts, No Warning Applicable |
| Color | Basic Pack |
| Country of Publication | China |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,271 Reviews |
| Edition | Standard Edition |
| Educational Objective | developing strategic thinking and planning skills |
| Estimated Playing Time | 90 Minutes |
| Expansion For | Terraforming Mars |
| Game Mechanics | card drafting, engine building |
| Genre | Sci-Fi Game Expansion |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00653341720405 |
| Included Components | Terraforming Mars Prelude |
| Indoor Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Is Assembly Required | No |
| Item Dimensions | 11.4 x 3 x 16.5 centimeters |
| Item Dimensions L x W | 16.5L x 11.9W centimeters |
| Item Type Name | board game |
| Item Weight | 0.16 Kilograms |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | Stronghold Games |
| Manufacturer Maximum Age (MONTHS) | 1500.0 |
| Manufacturer Minimum Age (MONTHS) | 144.0 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | STG07202 |
| Material | Cardboard |
| Material Type | Cardboard |
| Minimum Age Recomendation | 14 |
| Model Number | STG07202 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Players | 5 |
| Number of players | 5 |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Product dimensions | 16.5L x 11.9W centimeters |
| Rulebook Availability | Printed Included |
| Set Name | Terraforming Mars: Prelude |
| Size | Standard |
| Supported Battery Types | No batteries required |
| Theme | Science Fiction |
| UPC | 801310114841 653341720405 |
| Unit Count | 47 Count |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Stronghold Games
- **Genre:** Sci-Fi Game Expansion
- **Material:** Cardboard
- **Number of players:** 5
- **Theme:** Science Fiction

## Images

![Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71NuQY0-QnL.jpg)
![Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91rUYboCpxL.jpg)
![Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91INdyjg-XL.jpg)
![Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617mY0+gRiL.jpg)
![Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars - Prelude - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rzWpiriHL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Difference between the basic and premium versions besides price and seller?**
A: Thad,

When you say the basic and the premium versions, I see now on Amazon the same as when I bought one each of the two "versions".
There is NO difference at all, except the price.
Both offers of this addition to the basic Terraforming Mars board game include the exact same things: 35 new Prelude cards to use at the start of the game, 5 new Corporation cards to add to the regular Corporation cards in the basic game, and 7 new project cards to add to the deck of project (playing) cards in the basic game.
If you visit Stronghold games web site, they offer their Terraforming Mars Prelude expansion for $19.95.
If you visit the Amazon.com website they are offering the same Terraforming Mars Prelude expansion for two different prices, one at $17.19 and the other at $14.00.
Pick the $14.00.
It is a great addition to the basic Terraforming Mars board game and worth the money.
But pay the lower price on Amazon.com and get the same great addition to the game.
By the way if you do NOT have the basic game it is cheaper on Amazon too. On Amazon it is $45.68 and at Stronghold games website it is $69.95.
Paul Hann

**Q: How much does this speed up the game? Is the average playtime much shorter with this expansion?**
A: Yes and no, you can control this with prelude. For example, my friends and I play 5 prelude cards before the game begins, I think the rules say pick only 2, but we deal 5 cards and play the 5 cards, this makes the game end around gen 6 for 5/6 players, it takes just a bit more for 2/3 players, gen 7 or 8. For me it's a matter of time and making the beginning of the game more fun than what it is, I couldn't live without this expansion, I love it.

**Q: Can you play this game with just these cards (I just bought these without any knowledge of the game) ? Is there a good tutorial?**
A: You absolutely can not play this game with only these cards. You literally don't even have the Mars game board. Lol 

This is by far the best expansion, but you have to get the base game first.

**Q: Can you point me to the original game on amazon? I am not able to find the right one for this expansion.**
A: Hi I have attached a link here to the original game.  If you do get the game. I recommend getting the prelude expansion as well.  Its been great! Cheers.

https://www.amazon.com/Indie-Boards-Cards-Terraforming-Board/dp/B01GSYA4K2/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1KJB06TUTUVOP&dchild=1&keywords=terraforming+mars&qid=1616062566&sprefix=terrafo%2Caps%2C350&sr=8-14

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brilliant 'fast-forward' expansion & adds a tad more starting strategy
*by B***N on 1 December 2025*

An excellent expansion which speeds up the early few generations of the game, which otherwise can feel a bit slow and also allows for more strategic/synergistic picks of your starting corporation and starting cards.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Des forêts, plein de forêts !
*by C***S on 8 January 2025*

Un jeu du tonnerre guère plus long à plusieurs que tout seul. On n'a qu'une envie, enchaîner les parties.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ nothing but good stuff, Love it!
*by M***E on 27 January 2025*

nothing but good stuff, Love it!

## Frequently Bought Together

- Terraforming Mars Prelude
- Stronghold Games - Terraforming Mars Prelude 2 - Strategy Board Game Expansion - for 1 to 5 Players and Ages 12+

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-07-10*