An exciting release for iOS fantasy gamers and Magic: The Gathering fans alike is slated to come later this month. Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013, an installment of Magic: The Gathering games, will be available for the iPad (and other platforms) starting on June 20th. This is the first iPad release for a Magic: The Gathering game.

Within the game, players fight against Magic‘s evil mastermind, Planeswalker Nicol Bolas with ten new decks added to the game, new puzzle challenges, and an integration between the digital and paper product (cards and the video game). There’s even a muliplayer mode in the game on all platforms. Although, multiplayer for the iPad version is slightly limited in the iPad version compared to other platforms (according to Touch Arcade’s hands-on with the game at E3). iPad, Game Center-powered multiplayer is limited to two players while other platforms get up to four (four player multiplayer available vs. AI).

We look forward to the release of the game later this month. Imagine looking at those detailed cards on the new iPad’s retina display! Check out the gallery below with the game’s first screenshots.

Magic has an estimated 12 million players around the world in over 70 countries. It was released by Wizards of the Coast in 1993. Since then, over 12,000 cards have been created (around 500 per expansion pack).

Potter fans, rejoice: the first official Harry Potter app has been released to the App Store. iDevice-owning Muggles can grab the app and be Sorted by the Sorting Hat, receive a wand at Olivander’s, and then be instructed in the basics of dueling whilst earning points for their House. If this sounds familiar…then, yes, it’s because it is similar to previous online offerings from Warner Bros. What makes this app so intriguing, however, is its focus on dueling…specifically, multiplayer duels over both Bluetooth and WiFi.

Yes, that’s right; dueling. While the app will allow you to challenge an AI opponent, whipping your friend in a digital duel is undoubtedly better, and I can’t wait to test this one out. Fledgling wizards can currently learn up to 14 spells, and the examples given are old favorites: Stupefy!, Expecto Patronum!, Expelliarmus!, and so on. Spells are unleashed with hand gestures and sent between devices. I can’t think of a better platform for a handheld duel, especially given the iPhone’s accelerometer.

Rounding out the offering are a slew of appreciated extras: Facebook Connect, player stats pages, House rankings, and Hogwarts-wide leaderboards. Warner Bros. is obviously attempting to foster some competitive spirit between friends.

It’s worth noting that Harry Potter: Spells isn’t targeted at the 99-cent crowd; the app is selling for $4.99. We’ll have a review up in a few days with our recommendation, but for now, more information can be found at http://harrypotterspellsapp.com/.