Blue Orange Games Blog - Page 5 of 24 - Makers of award winning board games and card games for all ages

10 Games Perfect for Any Spring Basket

Posted on March 6, 2018December 16, 2020 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

While chocolate, candy, and anything bunny or chick related is usual basket fare, we have a few suggestions for some different ways to fill them up this year. Give your child something other than sugar, and pick up a game or two to add the gift of play to their basket. The best part about swapping out some of that candy for games? They are sure to be appreciated long after the chocolate bunnies and gummy eggs have been wolfed down. Plus, they give your kids something to channel all that sugary energy into! Check out some of our recommendations for colorful, fun games that would be great additions to any basket this spring; all of these are available in stores and online now on MyMomShops. Joanna Dreycott reviews these kinds of toys and good things for kids very well.

Ring It! Ages 5 and Up, 2-9 Players

Clap and ring your way to victory! Players continuously flip their cards until a combo is found. Be the first to find the combo, clap your hands and ring the bell. Hesitation may cost you 1st place, but if you act too quickly you may make a mistake and face a penalty! Get ready for chaotic clapping followed by lots of laughter!

Fastrack Mini Ages 5 and Up, 2 Players

This mini-version takes all of the fun of the original rapid-action shooting game, and packs it into a smaller design. The same high-quality materials and exciting game play are now perfect for on-the-go entertainment! Each side starts with 4 wooden disks and then players race to get all 8 disks on their opponent’s side by shooting them through the slot opening. Skill and luck mix in this action-packed game!

Tell Tale Ages 5 and Up, 1-8 Players

Discover the art of storytelling with Tell Tale. Be guided through your own unique tale with cards illustrated with a variety of characters, settings, objects and emotions. If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine the possibilities with 120 inspiring images! Create your own storyboard or improvise a tale together; there are four ways to play! In this creative storytelling game, everybody is a winner.

Rally Up! Ages 6 and Up, 2-6 Players

What happens when 110 exotically illustrated cards are shuffled, distributed, and then rhythmically turned face-up on the table? Players will find themselves in a hullabaloo and will race to rally up 2 or more images belonging to the same family! Scan swiftly through the craziness to get these thingies back to where they belong!

Eye ‘N Seek Ages 6 and Up, 2-6 Players

Flip a card and then spin the wheel to find its matching icon in the windows. Make sure to pay attention and search quickly- it’s a race! Spot the match before your opponents to win the round and a point. 6 double-sided wheels, 100 icon cards, 3 levels, and 6 rules to play create challenging searching fun for all ages.

Go Go Gelato Ages 6 and Up, 2-4 Players

Using 4 cones, 3 scoops, 2 hands, and 1 challenge card fill your customers’ orders as quickly as you can! Pass the scoops back and forth between the cones, being careful to not touch or drop them. Work quickly to figure out the best way to satisfy your customer before your opponents do. Fill the order exactly like it looks on the card, or you’ll lose the race. A tasty and engaging dexterity race that’s fun for everyone!

Djubi Slingball Ages 6 and Up, 2 Players

It’s the ultimate game of catch that allows you to send the ball sailing over 100 feet! It relies on a unique launching system that creates maximum distance and maximum fun! The balls come with a rubber loop attached, allowing players to launch them from a hook on the racket frame. This version takes all the launching fun of the Djubi Classic and packs it into a lighter design that’s perfect for all ages.

Dice Stack Ages 7 and Up, 1-6 Players

Roll the tilted dice and stack them up in numerical order. Stop at any time while you are building your stack and win the sum of the values you stacked. Carefully place the dice and don’t let them fall, or you’ll lose it all! The drawstring bag and compact game pieces make this a great travel game. Play anywhere there’s a flat surface!

Fast Flip Ages 7 and Up, 2-8 Players

Get ready to scramble for the match in this crazy fruit salad! Match your fruits to a number, or numbers to a fruit; you don’t know what match you’ll have to find next! Whether you play with the tokens or with the cards alone, all players of any age will be fast flipping for this brain teasing match up. The game comes complete in a tin for your cards and tokens, making it an easy travel item. The magic distribution of fruits on the cards guaranties that there is always one correct answer. You just need to be the fastest to find it!

Rally Roll Ages 8 and Up, 2-6 Players

Roll the dice to rack up your points! On your turn, roll all the dice, scoring points based on the color of the big die. Then, decide to bank points won in that round, or take a chance and roll again! If no dice match the big colored die, forfeit all points won in that round. Take big risks with this fast and fun, take-anywhere dice game!

Our New 2018 Games: Blue Orange Team Members’ Picks

Posted on February 27, 2018February 28, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Last week, the Blue Orange Team spent a whirlwind few days in New York City at New York Toy Fair launching our new 2018 collection. We presented to and played with everyone and anyone in the industry who stopped by our booth, and all of their positive feedback makes us incredibly excited for our games to hit stores this spring. Want to know which games the members of the Blue Orange team are most excited about after four straight days of playing? Take a look below!

Happy Bunny (Corinne, Marketing)

“I love Happy Bunny because of how adorable every part of the game is, from the artwork on the box to the realistic feeling of picking the carrots. It helps kids work on teamwork and counting, and the anticipation about what size the carrot you are going to pick will be makes it the perfect game for any three year old. As cooperative games are a new adventure for us, it was great to see that all of our retailers and industry friends loved this game as well.”

Where’s Mr. Wolf? (Xavier, Sales)

“Every time I presented Where’s Mr. Wolf?, people immediately loved the game because of the artwork and cool 3D barns that players sort tokens into. I like that it is a cooperative, so everyone works together to beat the game, and it is also self-contained, so you play the entire game inside the box.”

Clouds (Alice, Management)

“Clouds is my favorite out of this year’s collection because of the cute zippered pouch that makes it an easy game to take on the go. It also brings up the excitement and imagination that you get from cloud gazing, which I really like. As a mom, I’m always looking for easy ways to keep my kids entertained and they have loved this game since we received the original prototype!”

Who Did It? (Emile, Sales)

“I have the most fun presenting and playing Who Did It? because while the funny emoji poop pouch catches people’s attention, the card game itself is what keeps them laughing. Everyone I played with got a kick out of pinning the blame of being ‘the pooper” on other people’s pets, and when you are saying things like ‘It wasn’t my fish that pooped in the living room, but I think it was someone else’s hamster!’, it’s almost impossible to not laugh!”

Maki Stack (Adrien, Sales)

“I think Maki Stack is the most fun out of the entire 2018 collection. In the game, you’re racing to stack the sushi either blindfolded or using your fingers as chopsticks, while also playing in teams, so it has a lot of elements that are different that our other games. At Toy Fair, every person I presented to loved the wooden sushi pieces and asked to play another round during the demo, which is always a good thing!”

Pool Party (Kathryn, Marketing)

“My personal favorite out of our new games is Pool Party. It’s fast, addicting fun that’s impossible to stop playing, and I think our fans will like it because it’s easy enough for the whole family to enjoy together. The coolest part about the game is the pool- it sits on top of a spring and every time you launch a diver it sways back and forth. It will eventually toss all the divers out if it gets too full, so you are racing against your opponents and the balance of the pool at the same time.”

Mindo Zen (Louis-Paul, Sales)

“I like Mindo Zen, and the rest of the Mindo collection, because we don’t have many one player puzzles. It’s perfect for people looking for entertainment without competition, and it doesn’t take up much space. I actually keep one on my desk at work so I have something to do when my brain needs a break.”

Level Up Games in Minnesota is February’s Store of the Month!

Posted on February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

It’s a rare find to see a store so well suited for everyone these days, but Level Up Games in Minnesota has taken the gold medal. Our sale representative Florian has had the pleasure of working with Level Up Games over the past few years. He nominated the chain of stores because of their passion for Blue Orange Games and the vast knowledge that their employees posses. Stop in or even check out their website, because these stores are sure to provide some excitement for everyone, from toddlers to adults!

Level Up Games started from humble beginnings and opened its doors eight years ago in a little shop no larger than a bedroom. Owners, Tony and Tony, started by scouring the twin cities’ garage sales and local shops for cool, novelty items and unique games that their customers would want. With such a great response from the surrounding community, they were able to grow Level Up Games into a three-store paradise for fun seekers all over the area. Their main store in St. Paul is massive and has a dedicated area for every aspect of games, toys, magic, and more. The second store in Eagan is more family-oriented and features fun-sized tables that are stacked with games so kids can try them out. Kay, the chain’s purchaser, describes their Eagan store as charming and quaint. As it is located right across a school in a tight knit community, it has quickly become a town staple. This store even features an entire wall of cool Blue Orange Games!

Inside their South Saint Paul store- now that’s a lot of games!

Their passion for games is unlike any other, and is just one of the things that makes Level Up Games our pick for Store of the Month. Blue Orange got the opportunity to speak with Kay, who is not only the Level Up Games purchaser but is also an avid gamer herself. The current games on her radar are abstract strategy titles that keep her on her toes- games like Photosynthesis that leave the player wanting to play again and again. Additionally, every employee has their own niche and specialization, whether it be Warhammer 40,000, comic books, or board games. Kay even highlighted that every employee can show you a little magic trick while in the store. It’s this type of genuine passion that empowers Blue Orange Games to create for our retailers and customers!

20170401_141939(0) — Part of the Level Up Games team.

It’s no surprise that when we asked Kay about Level Up Games’ secret to success, she was proud to attribute it to their customer service. As such an integral part of the community, Level Up Games finds it easy to stay in touch with their customer’s needs, giving them just what they’re searching for every time they stop by. One of Kay’s favorite aspects about working at Level Up Games is the satisfaction that comes with recommending a new game to a customer. It always brings a smile to her face when someone comes back into the store and they are in love with their new board game or toy.

Kay’s can’t-live-without game is the Blue Orange classic, Niya. Not only does she love to play the quirky game with customers, but she always loves to take the fun out of the shop. She divulged to us that whenever she and her fiancé go out to dinner they like to play at least 3 rounds before their meal comes out. They enjoy Niya because no matter how many times they play, there’s always a new strategy and tactic need to win! For her, being able to play again and again without getting bored is what makes a game great.

Level Up Games’ gaming space at their South Saint Paul location.

With so many interesting games coming out, it can be difficult to stay up to date on the newest releases. That’s why Level Up Games hosts a plethora of events for gamers of every level and age, like Learn to Play which is on the 25^th of February. Level Up Games also has a weekly tradition of Monday being community game night. At these weekly events, everyone is welcome to their open game library or can bring their own game to play.

We invite you to visit their website or stop by one of their locations to see how awesome Level Up Games is in person. They go the extra mile for their customers, which is why we are honored to name them store of the month. Congratulations!

By: Whitney Green

Introducing our New 2018 Games!

Posted on January 29, 2018November 28, 2020 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

It’s a new year, and you know what that means- new games! This year we are excited to be publishing a diverse lineup that includes high-energy dexterity races, adorable cooperative games (a Blue Orange first!), playfully packaged smaller games, and unique brain teasers. All-in-all we’re adding a whopping 16 new titles to our catalog! You’ll be glad to know they align with everything you’d expect from Blue Orange: easy to learn, fun to play, and engaging for a wide range of ages one of are featured gambling games for this season is now available at judi bola online. We are launching all of these at New York Toy Fair on February 17th, and you will be able to find them in stores and online come early spring.

Until then, check out the sneak preview below, but if you’re into other games such as Casino games like the best online casino malaysia 2021.

Family Games

Pool Party ● 2-4 players ● 6 & up

Summer is here, and that means pool party season! It’s time to beat the heat and cool off in the topsy-turvy pool. Better yet, join in on the cannon ball contest and form a team with your fellow party-goers. But watch out! Too many swimmers and this wacky pool can easily spill over, tossing you and everyone else out. Make big splashes by propelling your teammates into the unsteady pool, and be the first to successfully land three divers in to win! Unique components and high energy game play make Pool Party perfect for all ages, you can play games such as sbobet online which is perfect for this

Shaky Manor ● 2-4 players ● 7 & up

Local legend says the house on the corner contains hidden treasures…you find yourself taking a chance and entering to strike it rich, but it isn’t that easy to keep the treasures safe from the creatures that haunt the dusty rooms. To keep them safe, quickly race to position your character and treasure chests into the room indicated on the Challenge Card by shaking and tilting your box. Each time you succeed in protecting your treasure, the player to your right must add a new spooky creature into the mix to make the next round harder!

Maki Stack ● 2, 4, or 6 players ● 7 & up

Order’s up- it’s time for a sushi showdown! Balance and arrange the sushi, plates, and soy sauce bottles, and make sure to execute the order exactly as it is shown on the card. The catch? You need to use your fingers as chopsticks or stack wearing a mask, depending on the challenge card. But be careful, one wrong move and everything might tumble over! Be the fastest solo chef or culinary team to master the art of sushi stacking, and win! High quality wooden pieces and crazy stacking combinations make this game a must-add to any game night collection.

Preschool Games

Happy Bunny ● 1-4 players ● 3 & up

It’s harvest time on the carrot farm! Work together as a team to help the bunny pick the best carrots to bring home to his family, plucking them from the box just like you would from the ground. Select them carefully – all the bitten carrots are for the bunny, while the untouched ones the hardworking farmer keeps for himself. Compare their harvests at the end of the game to see who picked the tastiest bunch! This adorable cooperative game is a great way to teach teamwork and simple counting, and helps little hands develop fine motor skills.

Where’s Mr. Wolf? ● 1-4 players ● 4 & up

In this cooperative game, everyone works together to help the farm animals get back to their barns before Mr. Wolf comes around. Keep an eye out for him as you flip over the animal tokens. Every time you find Mr. Wolf, he creeps one space closer, and every time you find a farm animal, try to remember which barn they belong to. Fill the barns before Mr. Wolf comes around to win! The cute animal tokens, 3D barns, and shared goal help children work on memory and teamwork at the same time.

Kitty Bitty ● 2-4 players ● 4 & up

It’s nap time for the itty bitty kitties, but they just want to play! Help them jump, bat the yarn balls around, and race to the basket without catching a look from the watchful eyes of the mommy cats. Each turn, players need to remember which mommy cat eye will pause their kitten’s play time and prevent them from getting closer to the basket. The first kitten that makes it back wins! High quality wooden pieces and unique game play help kids develop color recognition and memory.

Fun-Sized Games

Who Did It? ● 3-6 players ● 6 & up

Was it YOUR bird that pooped in the living room? Because it wasn’t my bunny! In this hilarious card game, players race to get rid of their cards so they can avoid the blame of owning the animal that pooped. Each game is as funny as it is fast; quickly find your card, be the first to throw it down, and then blame someone else! Who Did It? is sure to bring laughs and just the right amount of potty humor. The plush zippered pouch keeps all the cards and tokens safe, and is the perfect size for on-the-go fun.

Clouds ● 2-5 players ● 4 & up

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a….bear? Clouds is a matching game that was made for the wildest of imaginations. Turn over a card and quickly search to find the halves that complete the picture. Be the first to find them, and win! Race your friends, or take on the challenges solo. A durable smiley-faced pouch, complete with a wrist strap, makes this this game both adorable and portable.

Tofu Kingdom ● 3-8 players ● 10+

In this social deduction game, players take turns assuming the role of Prince Mochi, who is looking for his true love, Princess Tofu. He is allowed to ask one question to each player around the table (who have taken on their own roles) to try and find the princess, but must take into account that not everyone will tell the truth. This clever game is adjustable to different player counts, making it great for parties and social gatherings.

Cubeez ● 2-4 players ● 6 & up

It’s time for a race! Can you make a face the fastest? Quickly position the three cubes to match the face on the Challenge Card. Turn and flip them fast to finish first and wear the face of a champion! Colorful wooden cubes and wacky challenges make this speed game the perfect addition to a game night full of laughs.

Brain Teasers

Mindo ● 1 player ● 5 & up

The Mindo collection consists of 4 clever logic puzzles…can you collect and master them all? The rules are simple: turn and flip the double-sided tiles to recreate the color pattern on the challenge card. They only fit one way, into a 3×3 or 4×4 grid, so make sure to think and plan carefully. 60 challenges will ensure hours of brain teasing fun, and the four different themes mean there is a little something for everyone! Play solo, or combine them and race your friends. Versions: Mindo Puppy, Mindo Robot, Mindo Unicorn, Mindo Kitten

Mindo Zen ● 1 player ● 8 & up

The most sophisticated of our Mindo collection. In this game, you need to turn and flip the double-sided tiles until you have recreated the color pattern on the challenge card. They only fit one way into a 4×4 grid… can you figure it out? Serene game play, high quality tiles, and challenging puzzles to solve make this the perfect way to pass the time. Indulge in hours of peaceful brain teasing, or take it with you on the go; it’s small, compact box make it easy to stow and carry!

Brain Connect ● 2-4 players ● 8 & up

Get your brain back on track! Quickly slide and connect your thoughts into the right order, then, be the first to complete the correct action to win. It’s a race to see who can think and act the fastest! These sliding puzzles have 16 different start and stop points, so creating a clear train of thought is always a new challenge. A clever twist on the childhood classic, this game is perfect for solo solving or racing against friends.

Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, NM is January’s Store of the Month!

Posted on January 17, 2018January 17, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Tucked in the picturesque town of Santa Fe, Moon Rabbit Toys has been catering to its community’s fun needs for over 12 years. Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States, as well as the highest in elevation, and is home to diverse culture and unique treasures- like Moon Rabbit Toys! With half of their store dedicated to games and the other half toys, this shop takes playing around very seriously. One of our sales managers, Francois, recommended Moon Rabbit Toys for January’s Store of the Month Award because of its extraordinary staff and their real love of games.

Moon Rabbit Toys is the wonderful creation of Shana, who let her pure love of toys inspire her to open a shop. While not a strictly educational store, Shana likes to say “it’s just for fun and if you learn anything it’s your own fault.” Both families and educators alike stop by to find new ways to engage kids, as they know there’s no limit on the amount of joy and strategic thinking a game can provide the young mind.

d4120714c99b4fdb6adbf542b31c9f23 — credit: moonrabbittoys.com

Shana’s favorite thing about owning a toy store, besides playing all the games, is finding the perfect toy or game for anyone. Believing that there is something special for every customer is the foundation of Moon Rabbit Toys. With regulars, tourists, and even regular-tourists who visit yearly, it’s clear that Moon Rabbit Toys has perfected the art of magically finding everyone a game or toy they are sure to love. While being interviewed, Shana even stated, “Did you know Kingdomino is best game ever invented?” Her work to pair everyone with the perfect game never ceases! She added that after the staff learned how to play Kingdomino, they were so in love that they encouraged all their customers to try it out. During the holiday season they joked that their best sales pitch was, “we can teach you the instructions, we can play a round, but trust us: just buy it!” Of course, all it takes is a game or two to get hooked!

Kingdomino_Pkg_Flat — Moon Rabbit Toys’ favorite Blue Orange Game.

As you can tell, Moon Rabbit Toys is always willing to go the extra mile for their customers. Many customers come in needing a gift or something special, and Shana and her team of well-versed staff are ready to take on the challenge. While many stores simply try to get the product sold, Moon Rabbit Toys strives to find each person, young or old, the right fit that will keep them engaged and smiling with glee. One of their greatest secrets to success is having a copy of almost every game opened and ready to be taken for a spin. This make Moon Rabbit Toys a paradise for kids to run around and find a favorite to take home. Additionally, it allows parents to take the time to learn the instructions and rules before they make an investment. Shana realizes that no one wants to buy a game that’s just going to sit on the shelf, so it’s vital to try before you buy. One of her personal favorites to demonstrate is our Spiel de Jahres winner, Kingdomino!

Shana and her staff accepting their award.

Since we’re interviewing professional game players, Blue Orange had to know: what exactly makes a good game? Shana thinks that there are two key elements to a good game. First, the game must have clear and simple rules, so it’s easy to pick up and play. Second, the game has to be fun for a variety of ages. One of Shana’s favorite Blue Orange Games, which is easy to learn and great for a variety of ages, is our beloved Battlesheep! Many times she will recommend this game, as well as Pengoloo, to families that stop by looking for a game that’ll keep both kids and parents entertained. We’d have to agree that those are great options, as the rules are simple and adaptable to every family and age group.

There are many reasons that Blue Orange Games is naming Moon Rabbit Toys as our January Store of the Month, but a few stand outs include their dedication to excellent customer service and the value of play. Shana and her staff are amazing brand ambassadors for Blue Orange Games, and we thank them wholeheartedly!

If you find yourself in Santa Fe, you should definitely stop by and say hello! Moon Rabbit Toys is located at 112 W. San Francisco, Ste. 202 Santa Fe, NM 87501 and can be reach at (505) 982-9373.

Congratulations to Shana and the entire staff at Moon Rabbit Toys!

By: Whitney Green

Congratulations to Sage Explorers in Lake Forest, IL for Winning December’s Store of the Month

Posted on December 21, 2017December 21, 2017 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

If you’re ever in the neighborhood of Lake Forest, Illinois be sure to make a stop at Sage Explorers toy shop. While its doors only just opened in September, this place is well on its way to becoming a town staple. With its quick acceleration to the top and a focus on educational learning, Sage Explorers is more than deserving of our December Store of the Month award.

Lake Forest has been a town without a toy and game store for many years, and Sage Explorers has brought the fun back into the community. With only a few months under their belts, the people of Lake Forest have quickly embraced this shop and all it has to offer. Those seeking a new game or toy no longer have to journey far to satisfy their wishes and as a result, you can expect to find the store busy with kids stopping by after school for a little fun, or grandparents picking up a treat for their grand kids. Being able to cater to such a diverse range of people is just what makes Sage Explorers so special!

sage_explorers_-_lake_forest-1506719399-3874 — Demonstration tables throughout the store are one of the keys to their success!

While Sage Explorers offers toys and games that will keep the kids entertained for hours, they have so much more. The owner, Allison, has been a educator for the last 12 years, so you can be assured that she knows a thing or two about educational fun. She knows that games can help develop a young mind and that building strategic skills is something that parents, educators, and kids should all get excited about. As a store that values the learning process, many teachers within the community have found Sage Explorers to be a great resource for classroom materials. They also have tutoring available for children, which provides them with another chance to make a difference in their community. Allison declared that one of her favorite educational games to recommend is the Super Genius line, since it’s so easy to integrate within any curriculum and keep students engaged.With everything you need to promote education, there is no question why the store has seen such great success.

IMG_20171220_144857710 — Sage Explorers accepting the Store of the Month award.

Of course we had to ask which Blue Orange game is Allison’s personal favorite. She’s a big fan of Flash, since it’s such a great way to get kids focuses on arithmetic while nurturing their motor skills. On the other hand, she’s noticed that customers go crazy for Go Go Gelato. It’s easy game play and flexibility to adjust to any age or skill level make it a favorite with her customers!

When asked what makes a great game, Allison stated that it’s all about how easy it is to teach. Customers, from young kids to grandparents, love a game that has simple rules and is quick for players to pick up on. At Sage Explorers, one of the secrets to their success is always keeping a great selection of easy to learn games out for demonstration. Having four display tables all packed with games enables everyone that strolls by to play a quick round as they shop. This has proven effective as letting their customers play a Blue Orange classic, Gobblet Gobblers, has been an easy way to keep the game flying off the shelves.

Customers playing Gobblet Gobblers at a demo table in the store.

If you’re ever in Lake Forest, Sage Explorers is definitely worth the visit. From educators to parents to kids, everyone is bound to have a fun time! They’re located at 647 N. Bank Ln., and will soon be available online as well.

Congratulations!

Written by: Whitney Green

A Game Fit for a….Queen?

Posted on December 1, 2017December 21, 2017 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

If you have been following board gaming news recently, you might have heard of a little tile-laying game called Kingdomino. It won the board game equivalent of an Oscar when it took home the Spiel des Jahres this past July, putting both its designer, Bruno Cathala, and publisher, Blue Orange Games, at the forefront of the gaming scene.

According to the Spiel des Jahres jury, Kingdomino was given the award because it “lifts the time-honored principle of dominoes to a new level – without losing any of the sleek elegance of its predecessor. On the contrary: the dual mechanics of planning the far-reaching lands surrounding the castle and the clever method of selecting tiles fit together extraordinarily well, they are expertly reduced to their essential components.”

For those unfamiliar with Kingdomino, first of all buy it – we promise you won’t regret it. Second of all, the jury’s praise of the game’s simple yet elegant mechanics is an opinion shared by many in the gaming world. During a turn in the game, you select a new tile and add a previously selected tile to your kingdom, making sure to match one side of the domino to a like terrain type already in play (just like how in dominoes two sides must match in order for you to place a domino). Each turn, players select a domino in an order determined by their previous selection. It is this mechanic, coupled with the planning and strategizing required to build a kingdom within the constraints of a 5×5 grid, which makes the game so clever.

22815274_10155698840245053_162748484228566872_n — Queendomino for sale at Essen in October.

Less than a year after Kingdomino was released, Bruno Cathala announced the next in line to the throne: Queendomino. The announcement was understated in the US. It involved a little sly product placement at Blue Orange Games’ Gen Con Booth, and a quiet BoardGameGeek.com listing. Both piqued the interest of many in the gaming world ahead its release, which happened in October at the Internationale Spieltage in Essen, Germany.

Kingdomino was launched at that very same festival, in 2016, and according to the game designer himself Queendomino was thought of soon after that. “I started working on Queendomino right after coming back from Essen 2016, so just a few days after Kingdomino was released.” It was a game born from his desire for something more challenging, as he had been playing his crown jewel for over two years before it finally launched.

“Of course, after playing a game as simple as Kingdomino 200 times, I wanted something more challenging,” he said, continuing with, “ I wanted a game with the same mechanic of building a Kingdom through domino selection and placement, but with a little more complexity that required players to be more methodical in their gameplay.” Thus, the idea for Queendomino was born.

The largest difference that Kingdomino fans can expect to see between the two games is that in Queendomino there are many more options which make game play richer and more complex. The biggest addition is the inclusion of a 7^th terrain, towns, on which players can construct buildings. Cathala highlights other differences saying, “Another one is money, because in order to build you need to pay. There are many different building you can put in your kingdom, each with their own way to score points, allowing many different strategies. A fun twist is that in the towns there are no point-earning crowns, so to get points you need to build on them.” He continues with, “There are other fun additions like towers that help you host the queen, knights that help you collect tax, and a dragon who has the tendency to burn coveted buildings if bribed….” Needless to say, the additions definitely elevate the simplicity of the original game.

Queendomino_Components — Richer gameplay and heavier strategy require a few more game pieces than Kingdomino!

What is interesting is that during Queendomino’s development, Kingdomino’s Spiel des Jahres win was a nonfactor. Cathala elaborates on this saying, “At the time of the nomination, the prototype was already finished and validated. Then when the award was announced, Queendomino was already in production.”

While the development process for Kingdomino took over 2 years, Queendomino’s was much shorter, as details such as the basic rules, components, and illustrator were already set. According to Cathala, “The main concern was making sure that all the additional elements made the game attractive and balanced, and not unpalatable or cluttered. In fact, the hardest part was to make it so that Kingdomino and Queendomino could be played both separately and together.”

Cathala’s work in making the game both an expansion and a standalone was well worth it, as it is this quality that intrigues a lot of Kingdomino fans. The game was designed so that you can combine a Queendomino with a Kingdomino in what is affectionately called “The Royal Wedding”. This allows for 4 players to play with more expansive 7×7 kingdoms, or for 6 players to play with the traditional 5×5 grid. Just like in the original game, Queendomino can be played by itself with 2, 3, or 4 player counts.

Cathala states the reason behind this decision was because, “This type of game has rarely been done in the past, so the challenge of making a game that worked by itself but also in conjunction with another game was interesting to me. This also allows me to have a game on the market for the general public [Kingdomino], and another one completely independent for the more expert public [Queendomino], without the 2 games competing with each other for attention.” He continued with another motive saying, “A more personal reason was because I love playing the 2 player 7×7 variant in Kingdomino, and having both games allows for 4 players to play this way.”

Although Cathala himself, and reviewers who received advanced copies, praise the game for its complexities he still believes there is room in anyone’s game cabinet for both, as they serve different purposes.“I don’t prefer one over the other. It depends on who I am playing with and how much time I have in front of me, as Queendomino games are a little longer”.

When asked about his future plans for the Kingdomino universe Cathala teased an upcoming expansion saying, “I thought of Kingdomino fans playing with younger children, or not wanting too many more options during game play. This is the reason I am refining an expansion for Kingdomino. It will allow 5 players to play at once and will add a few elements, very simple but fun. All I can say right now is that it involves giants!”

Kingdomino and Queendomino are both currently available in stores and online.