Both rankings we read put it first. It cuts the slow opening rounds and adds almost no rules.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Prelude cards that give each player a head start, plus 5 new corporations and 7 project cards.
Fixes: Cuts the slow early rounds.
The usual second buy. It adds some rules, so get used to the base game first.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Colony tiles for moons you can settle and trade with, plus new cards and corporations.
Fixes: Gives you something useful to do when the card market is dry.
New maps, no new rules. Buy it once the base map feels worn out.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: A double-sided board with two new Mars maps, each with its own milestones and awards.
Fixes: Freshens up the board once the base map feels familiar.
Adds cards and a fourth track but makes games longer. Skip it if your games already run long.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Venus as a fourth track to raise, about 50 project cards, 5 corporations, and a new floater resource.
For groups with many games behind them who want politics. Both rankings put it last because it adds the most rules and time.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: A political committee with parties and delegates, global event cards, and new corporations and projects.
Buy Terraforming Mars base game:Stronghold Games (opens in a new tab)GameNerdz (opens in a new tab)
Terraforming Mars: Prelude. Both rankings we read put it first. It cuts the slow opening rounds and adds almost no rules.
Our verdict: buy this first. It adds: Prelude cards that give each player a head start, plus 5 new corporations and 7 project cards.
We’d buy Terraforming Mars: Prelude first. See the side-by-side comparison for what each adds and needs.
Rankings are our editorial picks, built from the reviews linked on each expansion page. Last checked 2026-09-27.