Have you tried out the in-game Free Realms Trading Card Game yet? If you like it, you may want to keep an eye out for the physicial TCG, which hits stores this week! It features more than 180 cards, as well as more than 50 virtual reward cards that can be redeemed for in-game items. There's also 16 exclusive physical cards that unlock their virtual equivalent in the Free Realms virtual world.

Beginners will be able to buy a starter pack for $9.99 that comes with a ton of stuff: 40 cards, a placemat with rules, an in-game Black Labrador dog, a T-shirt for your character, three jumbo health potions, a virtual Cardie Racer and a one-month membership to Free Realms.

If you're looking to add to your collection, booster packs will be available for $3.99 that contain 10 cards, a virtual card for an in-game item, and 50 Station Cash. So you'll receive a guaranteed in-game item in every pack. More information can be found here or in the press release below.

DENVER, COLO. – May 4, 2009 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) and The Topps Company Inc. (Topps) today announced that the highly anticipated Free Realms™ Trading Card Game hits stores this week. Developed at SOE’s Denver studio in close collaboration with Topps, it integrates a trading card game format with the exciting online world of Free Realms, featuring more than 180 game cards as well as more than 50 virtual reward cards redeemable for exciting items in the online game.

“Free Realms is poised to be a tremendous success for us,” said John Smedley, president of SOE. “Now, we’re taking the next step and putting the trading card game in stores nationwide. This week, you’ll be able to walk into many of your neighborhood retail stores and pick up one of the best trading card games I’ve ever played.”

As Topps continues to explore fun and interactive ways for their young consumers to get involved, Free Realms becomes the latest in a roster that includes Topps Town, Topps 3-D Live, and BabyBottlePop.com, which link physical products to innovative online entertainment destinations. Michael Eisner, whose Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC. acquired The Topps Company, Inc., in October 2007, said, ”It’s been exciting working with Sony Online Entertainment on this endeavor, which has resulted in the development of a multiplatform product that is likely to spark the imaginations of trading card game fans everywhere.”

The physical Free Realms Trading Card Game features:

More than 180 Cards – The premier release of the Free Realms Trading Card Game features more than 180 cards, as well as 50 exclusive virtual reward cards not found anywhere else, and 16 physical exclusive cards with codes that unlock the equivalent card in the online game.

Exciting Gameplay – Developed by SOE’s Denver studio, the minds behind Legends of Norrath™, the Free Realms Trading Card Game brings the lively and colorful world of Free Realms to the familiar and fun format of the trading card game.

Virtual Rewards In Every Pack – Every Free Realms Trading Card Game pack features a virtual reward card redeemable for fantastic items inside the world of Free Realms, such as exclusive pets like the Toyger, the tiger-striped housecat, cool virtual clothing like the Rocker outfit, pet clothing, special character effects, and more.

The Free Realms Trading Card Game arrives in stores this week and is available in two formats. New players can pick up the Passport to Free Realms Starter Pack for $9.99 USD (plus applicable taxes). The Starter Pack features a 40-card starter deck, one full color playmat with rules, and a virtual reward card redeemable in the Free Realms online game for an exclusive virtual Black Labrador dog, an exclusive card player T-shirt for your character, three jumbo health potions, an exclusive virtual Cardie Racer and a one-month membership with full access to Free Realms (a $4.99 USD value). Players looking to enhance their existing decks can purchase the $3.99 USD (plus applicable taxes) booster pack, featuring 10 game cards, one virtual reward card that can be redeemed for an exclusive in-game item, and 50 Station Cash™, the virtual currency for the Free Realms online game.

For more information, visit the official Free Realms Trading Card Game site at http://www.freerealms.com/tradingcardgame.