---
product_id: 75749060
title: "Terraforming Mars: Prelude Expansion by Stronghold Games | Engine-Building Card Module with Accelerated Start | Add Corporations and Projects | 1-5 Players Ages 12+ | Requires Base"
brand: "stronghold games"
price: "C$3279"
currency: NIO
in_stock: true
category: "Stronghold Games"
url: https://www.desertcart.ni/products/75749060-terraforming-mars-prelude-expansion-by-stronghold-games-engine-building-card
store_origin: NI
region: Nicaragua
---

# 5 new corporations for fresh strategies 90 min gameplay with faster starts 7 project cards accelerating early engine build Terraforming Mars: Prelude Expansion by Stronghold Games | Engine-Building Card Module with Accelerated Start | Add Corporations and Projects | 1-5 Players Ages 12+ | Requires Base

**Brand:** stronghold games
**Price:** C$3279
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🚀 Ignite your Mars conquest with Prelude — where every turn counts!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Terraforming Mars: Prelude Expansion by Stronghold Games | Engine-Building Card Module with Accelerated Start | Add Corporations and Projects | 1-5 Players Ages 12+ | Requires Base by stronghold games
- **How much does it cost?** C$3279 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ni](https://www.desertcart.ni/products/75749060-terraforming-mars-prelude-expansion-by-stronghold-games-engine-building-card)

## 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

- • **Diverse Corporate Power:** Choose from 5 new corporations, each offering distinct strategic advantages.
- • **Solo Challenge Included:** Test your skills with a new solo mode aiming for a 63 TR target under time pressure.
- • **Strategic Depth Meets Speed:** 7 new project cards designed to boost early game momentum and long-term planning.
- • **Accelerate Your Mars Mission:** Jump-start your terraforming engine from turn one with unique Prelude cards.
- • **Seamless Expansion Integration:** Effortlessly combine Prelude with the base game and other expansions for endless replayability.

## Overview

Terraforming Mars: Prelude Expansion by Stronghold Games enhances your base game experience by introducing 5 new corporations and 7 project cards that accelerate early gameplay. Designed for 1-5 players aged 12+, this expansion jump-starts your engine-building strategy, integrates smoothly with existing setups, and includes a challenging solo mode, all within a 90-minute playtime.

## 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.

## Features

- Jump start your Terraforming Mars sessions with Prelude, a focused expansion that gives each corporation powerful early cards, shaping your engine from the first turn and tightening the race to make Mars habitable.
- Draft and play unique Prelude cards that either accelerate terraforming milestones or boost your production engine, giving asymmetric openings and new paths to victory that reward planning and long term strategy.
- Add 5 new corporations and 7 project cards tuned to the early game, plus an additional solo challenge to reach 63 TR in time, increasing variety for repeat plays without adding complex rules overhead.
- Prelude integrates smoothly with the Terraforming Mars base game and any other expansion or variant, slotting into existing setups so dedicated players can refresh familiar maps and modules with minimal extra setup.
- Designed for 1–5 experienced or aspiring strategy gamers ages 12+, this expansion requires the Terraforming Mars base game and is ideal for groups who enjoy engine building, tableau growth, and deep replayability.

## 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 | #10,635 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #274 in Board Games (Toys & Games) |
| Brand Name | Stronghold Games |
| CPSIA Cautionary Statement | Choking Hazard - Small Parts, No Warning Applicable |
| Color | Basic Pack |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (7,226) |
| 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 | Science Fiction |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00653341720405 |
| Included Components | Terraforming Mars Prelude |
| Indoor Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Is Assembly Required | No |
| Item Dimensions | 4.5 x 1.2 x 6.5 inches |
| Item Dimensions L x W | 6.5"L x 4.7"W |
| Item Type Name | board game |
| Item Weight | 0.16 Kilograms |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | Stronghold Games |
| Manufacturer Maximum Age (MONTHS) | 1188.0 |
| Manufacturer Minimum Age (MONTHS) | 144.0 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | STG07202 |
| Manufacturer Warranty Description | No Warranty |
| Material Type | Cardboard |
| Minimum Age Recomendation | 144 |
| Model Number | STG07202 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Players | 1 to 5 |
| Operation Mode | manual |
| Rulebook Availability | Printed Included |
| Set Name | Prelude |
| Size | Standard |
| Supported Battery Types | No batteries required |
| Theme | Strategy |
| UPC | 801310114841 653341720405 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |

## Images

![Terraforming Mars: Prelude Expansion by Stronghold Games | Engine-Building Card Module with Accelerated Start | Add Corporations and Projects | 1-5 Players Ages 12+ | Requires Base - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71NuQY0-QnL.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

## 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 Nicaragua*
*Store origin: NI*
*Last updated: 2026-07-05*