| Publisher |
Game |
 2F-Spiele
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Fiji
Publisher: 2F-Spiele
Designer: Friedemann Friese
Players: 3-5
Ages: 10 and up
Price: 15.00 €
Here is a description of the game from Spielbox:
Those who carefully pored over the new releases list that was made available at least year's Essen fair will have found the first hints of several new Nurnberg games as well, including the latest Friedemann Friese game: Fiji.
Dutch gamers have had a chance to play a prototype of the game over the last few weeks, and apparently had a lot of fun with it. Fiji is a 'super auction game' in which the players offer natives fake pearls in exchange for shrunken heads. The offer is compared with four positions (?) which allow new fake pearls to be obtained. After four rounds of bidding, the amounts of fake pearls that the players own are compared and heads are awarded. After four rounds, the game is over and the player with the most shrunken heads crowned the winner.
Another prototype was also played in the Netherlands: a game set in the fantastic green game world of Fee Fabula. Perhaps Fridemann's upcoming Essen release? |
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 Abacusspiele
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 Anno Domini - Gesundheit und Ernährung (Anno Domini - Health and Nutrition)
Publisher: Abacusspiele / Fata Morgana
Designers: Urs Hostettler and Konrad Bochennek
Players: 2-8
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Price: 12.99 €
Here is a description of the game from Spielbox:
| Gesundheit & Ernahrung (Health and Nutrition) is the somewhat unwieldy title of the 17th game of the Anno Domini series. Once again, it’s all about arranging decidedly unusual facts and events into their proper chronological order. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box |
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BANG! Deluxe (Working Title)
Abacusspiele is publishing a German version of BANG! Deluxe (daVinci Games).
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 California
Publisher: Abacusspiele
Designer: Michael Schacht
Artists: Michael Schacht and Hans-Jörg Brehm
Players: 2-5
Ages: 8 and up
Playing Time: 60 Minutes
Rules Languages: German, English, French and Italian
Release Date: Released
This game will come in the Abacus flat box (the same as China).
Here is a description of the game from the back of the box (courtesy of Andrea "Liga" Ligabue):
Who doesn't dream of owning a large Mansion in the sun-drenched hills of California? But before you can furnish the house according to your wishes the interior must be renovated. Just as you have completed furnishing the first rooms you curious neighbors begin to drop by, some bearing housewarming gifts. A good thing too ... because victory will go to the one with the most beautifully renovated house and the largest collection of gifts.
Components: 7 boards with buildings, 88 tiles, 11 bonus cards, 6 guests, 30 gifts, 5 loan markers, 50 coins, 1 bag, 1 rule booklet |
Here is a description of the game from Michele "Favar" Mura of The Goblins' Lair:
Players have inherited a small amount of money and a house on the sunny hills of California. Unluckily the house is in a very bad condition. It will be to the players make it habitable again: renewing the rooms with the most exclusive furniture. Better and more friendly will be the house, more neighbours will come bringing presents and friendship.
During the game the players could take money from the bank or buy tiles from the shops to place in the house. Before furnishing a room and welcoming people they have to renovate the room. Bonus cards could be gained being the first to furnish the rooms with particular combination of objects. It will be always possible to get loans ...
At the end of the game (the 12th day) every player will score points for every present, every bonus card and every piece of furniture that he/she has. Payed the debts the player with the most victory points will be the winner. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box and the Pieces |  Some of the Pieces |  Some of the Pieces |  Some of the Pieces |
Links:
California English Rules (in PDF format) at Abacusspiele
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 Figaro
Abacusspiele is publishing a German version of Figaro (daVinci Games).
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 Gloria Mundi
Abacusspiele is publishing a German version of Gloria Mundi (Rio Grande Games).
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 Jericho
Publisher: Abacusspiele
Designer: Tom Lehmann
Artist: Christof Tisch
Players: 3-5
Ages: 8 and up
Playing Time: 20 Minutes
Rules Languages: German, English, French and Italian
Release Date: Released
This is a card game.
Here is a description of the game from the rules:
| Each player tries to build the longest walls in different colours by playing out wall cards. Using trumpet cards, the players can remove pieces of the walls. During scoring, the players with the longest wall in a colour are rewarded with cards from the supply. The cards that end up in the supply are decided by the players themselves. At the end of the game, the player with the most cards is the winner. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Game |  The Cards |
Links:
Jericho Multilingual Rules (in PDF format) at Abacusspiele
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 Maestro Leonardo
Abacusspiele is publishing a German version of Leonardo da Vinci (daVinci Games) to be titled Maestro Leonardo.
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 Nottingham
Publisher: Abacusspiele
Designer: Uwe Rosenberg
Artist: Christof Tisch
Players: 3-7
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Rules Languages: German, English, French and Italian
Release Date: Released
This is a card game. The box size for Nottingham will be the same size as Kai Piranja.
Here is a description of the game from back of the box:
The Sheriff of Nottingham is in trouble! His time in power is nearing its end, and he hasn’t quite managed to get enough cash together to buy another year in office. So he sends his Deputies out to collect the overdue taxes and promises to promote the most successful Deputy to the rank of Chief Assistant. Is it any wonder, then, that the Deputies think nothing of occasionally picking their colleagues’ pockets?
Contents: 1 Scoreboard, 8 Playing Pieces, 110 Cards, 1 Rules Insert |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Game |  The Cards |
Links:
Nottingham English Rules (in PDF format) at Abacusspiele
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 Toppo
Abacusspiele is publishing a German version of Toppo (Rio Grande Games).
|
 Adlung Spiele
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 Speed Fußball (Speed Soccer)
Publisher: Adlung Spiele
Designer: Reinhard Staupe
Artist: Jürgen Martens
Players: 2
Ages: 6 and up
Playing Time: 3-5 Minutes
Price: 6.50 €
Release Date: April 2006
Here is a description of the game from Adlung:
| The fastest game in the world now has a soccer edition. With Speed Soccer, our successful game gets a little brother made specially for the World Cup. This edition is meant for soccer fans, because the 6 patterns fit that theme. Two players once again try to get rid of their cards as quickly as possible. Again, the only rule: When playing a card, it has to be higher than the one on the table in at least one category. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box |
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 Teamwork Fußball 1 (Teamwork Soccer 1)
Publisher: Adlung Spiele
Designer: Michael Andersch
Artist: Jürgen Martens
Players: 4+
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 10-30 Minutes
Price: 6.50 €
Release Date: April 2006
Here is a description of the game from Adlung:
| After the success of Teamwork, there are now, especially for the World Cup, now there are additional groups of soccer-related phrases: Team Work Soccer 1 and 2. Both games include about 360 phrases, to make sure that soccer fans get their money's worth. The games can be played either on their own or mixed in with other Teamwork sets. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box |
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 Teamwork Fußball 2 (Teamwork Soccer 2)
Publisher: Adlung Spiele
Designer: Michael Andersch
Artist: Jürgen Martens
Players: 4+
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 10-30 Minutes
Price: 6.50 €
Release Date: April 2006
Here is a description of the game from Adlung:
| After the success of Teamwork, there are now, especially for the World Cup, now there are additional groups of soccer-related phrases: Team Work Soccer 1 and 2. Both games include about 360 phrases, to make sure that soccer fans get their money's worth. The games can be played either on their own or mixed in with other Teamwork sets. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box |
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 Teamwork Urlaub (Teamwork Vacation)
Publisher: Adlung Spiele
Designer: Michael Andersch
Artist: Jürgen Martens
Players: 4+
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 10-30 Minutes
Price: 6.50 €
Release Date: April 2006
Here is a description of the game from Adlung:
| For those who aren't interested in soccer or the World Cup, there's now Teamwork Vacastion. The game includes about 360 phrases and can be played on its own or together with other Teamwork sets. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box |
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 Alea
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 Augsburg 1520
Publisher: Alea
Designer: Karsten Hartwig
Players: 2-5
Ages: 12 and up
Playing Time: 25-90 Minutes
Here is a description of the game from Alea:
The game is about Jakob Fugger, who was probably the wealthiest man of his time. "Jakob the Rich", as he was named in his time, owned so much money that he loaned money to a host of counts and kings. Often, they were not able to repay him in cash so they awarded him special privileges, such as trade rights and offices.
2 to 5 players ages 12 and up assume the role of the merchants from Augsburg and try to get what they can - by means of auctions - from the nobility, thus increasing their wealth and particularly their social status.
This is a game by Karsten Hartwig, whose other game "Chinatown" was already published by Alea. It will be the number 3 in the middle sized game box series. The game playing length varies - depending on the number of players - between 25 to 90 minutes. The difficulty level is a 4 on the Alea 1-10 scale (the same as Ra).
Besides the players' tableaus and a game board there are 90 game cards and various game chits. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box |
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 Um Ru(h)m und Ehre (For Rum/Renown and Honor)
Publisher: Alea
Designer: Stefan Feld
Players: 2-5
Ages: 9 and up
Playing Time: 60-75 Minutes
Other Language Versions:
English - Rum & Pirates (Rio Grande Games)
This game will be number ten in Alea's big box game series.
Here is a description of the game from Alea:
(The new Alea game is the) relatively simple movement and collection game Um Ru(h)m und Ehre (For Rum/Renown and Honor). The game was designed by Stefan Feld and is for 2-5 players ages 9 and up and plays in 60-75 minutes. On the Alea complexity scale of 1 (simple) to 10 (difficult) this game rates a 2. (Editor's Note: That is the same complexity as Chinatown, Wyatt Earp and Edel, Stein & Reich)
The players take on the roles of freebooters who, back in their pirates' hideout, spend their time with all kinds of competitions - drinking, fighting, etc. All players move the main playing figure, the captain, through the alleys of the village, with the goal of gaining as much rum and renown as possible. The end of each of the five rounds is also marked by a highly variable fight to claim the best sleeping spaces on board the ship (bed or board?). The game is a mixture of tactics, strategy and luck. The die plays an important role in the game, but you still get the feeling of being at the mercy of fate only rarely.
The game contains 76 plastic pirate figures, 9 game board pieces that ensure the board is always different, about 200 tiles and 1 die. |
First Impression by Rick Thornquist (after one playing of a prototype):
Right off the bat - Um Ru(h)m und Ehre is a family game. If you are looking for the next big gamer game from Alea, you won't find it here. What you will find with Um Ru(h)m und Ehre is a set collecting game, in sort of a Ra vein, but without auctions and with a fair amount of dice rolling.
Um Ru(h)m und Ehre is a pirate game. Players play pirates that roam the alleyways of a pirate town descending on the bars, getting into fights, picking up barrels of rum etc. The board depicts the town dotted with destination spaces all connected by alleys.
The main pirate figure starts in the middle of the board. On a player's turn, he can choose an alley for the main pirate to move and places his own pirates in a line down the alley. The destination space at the end determines what you do - go into a bar, have a fight, etc. The object of each type of destination is to get chits that will give you victory points.
Each type of destination give you chits in a different way. Some you just pick up, some you have to roll dice for, some you have to deliver to another location to get the points, some you have to pick up a number of similar ones to score.
Five rounds are played with players taking turns moving the main pirate to different locations and getting chits. At the end of the game the players adds up their victory points from their chits and whoever has the most wins.
As mentioned, this is definitely a family game. There's some strategy, but there's a lot of dice rolling - it's meant so you can have fun and say "Arrr!" a lot. I thought it was pretty good - fun, but perhaps a little long for a family game.
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |  The Box Front Wrap |  Prototype |  Prototype Close-up - the pirate minis are final, but they may be different colors |
|
 Amigo
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 A bis Z (A to Z)
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Reinhard Staupe
Players: 2-5
Ages: 6 and up
Playing Time: 15 Minutes
Price: 6.49 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
The start of anything is easy! At least, that’s the case with this game. That “Mouse� starts with M and “Banana� with B, that’s something that little ones will understand very quickly. So then all the kids need is the right cards and they’ll leave the adults in their dust. Never mind learning to read – there’s tons of fun to be found in the alphabet! And for those who’ve figured this game out completely, there are two extra-fast variants included!
Contents: 30 chips, 23 cards, 5 boards, 1 rules insert. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Affentheater (Monkey Business)
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Stefan Olschewski
Players: 2-5
Ages: 5 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Price: 7.99 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
The wild troupe of monkeys has eaten all the bananas in their vicinity. Now they must find a new crop of bananas. But there are many dangers in the jungle. It’s good when the Monkeys can remember the secret grimaces with which they can send an angry hyena or snake packing. Who will reach the new banana crop first?
Contents: 33 cards, 10 pawns, 2 dice, 1 rules insert. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Bohnkick
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Uwe Rosenberg
Players: 2 and 4
Ages: 8 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
Even beans love soccer. Garden beans, string beans, coffee beans, they all throw on their kits and just like that they look like real soccer players. Quickly build two sides and the match begins. Just like in real life, here the side who scores the most goals wins.
Contents: 109 cards, 1 rules insert.
How to play Bohnkick:
- The cards are separated according to their backs (blue, yellow and red) and shuffled separately.
- One player gets the yellow cards, the other the blue cards. Both players place their cards in a face-down pile in front of them.
- The red cards are defense cards. They are placed in a pile in the middle of the table.
- Both players draw seven cards from their own piles and four cards from the defense pile and take them into their hands.
- The player cards allow players to dribble, pass or shoot.
- The defense cards allow players to tackle other players, draw fouls or save the ball with the goalie.
- Players take turns. During a player’s turn, he’s in possession of the ball and plays a player card. He then replenishes his hand.
- The other player, who does not have the ball, counters with a defense card and also replenishes his hand.
- When the attacking player wishes to shoot on goal, he must announce where the ball is going: left corner, right corner, top or bottom.
- The defending player must then try to play a card showing the matching part of the goal - then the shot is saved. Otherwise, it’s a goal.
- Once both player piles are exhausted, then the game is over. The side which has scored the most goals wins. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Cincinnati
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Reinhard Staupe
Players: 3-6
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 45 Minutes
Price: 35.99 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
Have you ever been in a Casino? Here, you can practice first and try your luck. In this game, you can bet on one of three tables. But to win big and clean out a table can only be accomplished by the player who rolled the best combination of dice. In addition to cash, players can also win real poker chips good for extra rolls or duels against other players. The richest gambler at the end of the game is the winner.
Contents:
36 cards, 30 dice, 20 poker chips, 18 table cards, 6 dice mats, 6 dice cups, 3 gaming tables, 1 rules insert.
How to play Cincinnati:
- Each player receives 1 dice cup, dice mat, 5 dice, 3 chips and 3 table cards.
- The cards are placed face-down in the middle of the table and the gaming tables placed around them.
- Each game round, 3 cards are revealed and placed onto the gaming tables.
- Then, each player rolls his dice and keeps the result hidden beneath his cup.
- Now, each player must choose with his table cards which table to gamble at.
- Thereafter, the players each have 2 more chances to rolls a combination that is required at the given table. Table A needs 3 of a kind, Table 4 a straight, and Table 5 needs a sum of at least 11.
- Before each roll, the players can choose freely how many dice he wishes to roll – all 5 or fewer.
- After the third try, an extra roll can be bought with a chip.
- When a player wins at a table, he takes the chip, duel or table cards there.
- The players place the money cards in front of themselves, exchange the chip cards for poker chips, and resolve the duel cards by carrying out duels against other players in order to steal their money.
- The game ends after 12 rounds, after which the player with the most money is the winner. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Diabolo
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Michael Schacht
Players: 3-5
Ages: 8 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Price: 6.49 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
There’s a little Devil in all of us. In this game, you’ll have a hell of a time annoying your opponents with number cards that get them negative points. Because only the player with the most positive points can celebrate as if he’s on cloud nine.
Contents: 80 cards, 1 scoring pad, 1 rules insert.
How to play Diabolo:
- The five heaven / hell cards are placed into the middle of the table, with the trident / harp side facing upwards.
- Each player receives one doubler card and six number cards. The remaining cards are placed as a face-down draw pile into the middle of the table.
- On a player’s turn, he first draws a number card from the pile and takes it into his hand. Then, he plays a card out to match a heaven / hell card colour – either to the left or right of the appropriate card.
- Cards to the right of the heaven / hell cards will count as Angel Points at the end of the game/ cards to the left will count as Devil Points.
- As the cards are added, five rows of numbers are formed on the table. Each row can contain no more than 5 cards, and no side more than 3.
- If a row is filled, then the corresponding heaven / hell card is turned face-down, showing the ‘closed’ sign.
- As soon as two rows are filled, the game is over and points are awarded.
- Each row is checked to see if the Angel or the Devil points are higher. If the Angel points are higher, then the player with the most cards of the matching colour in his hand receives positive points. If it’s the other way around, then that player receives negative points.
- If there is a tie in points between Angel and Devil, then that row is not scored.
- If a player has used his doubler card, then the points are doubled.
- The points are recorded on the scoring pad. Thereafter, another game is played.
- After a pre-determined number of games, the winning player is the player with the most positive points. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Jetzt kommt Jasper (Here Comes Jasper)
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Heinz Meister
Players: 2-4
Ages: 5 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Price: 15.99 €
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
Jasper learns many new things in the bustling seaport that he never knew from his homeland at the South Pole. Jasper is curious and therefore has many questions. Good thing his friend Emma knows the answers to each of this questions. The players play as Jasper and move their figures around the city. Whenever they reach a question mark space, they must answer a question. The first player who has circled the city and has both his figures standing back on the starting space is the winner.
Contents: 36 cards, 36 quiz cards, 8 playing figures, 2 dice, 1 game board, 1 rules insert. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Lauras Stern Kartenspiele zum Ausmalen (Laura’s Star: Card Games to Paint)
Publisher: Amigo
Players: 2-5
Ages: 5 and up
Playing Time: 15 Minutes
Price: 6.49 €
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
This box contains two games: a quartett game and a trick-taking game called “Mean Harry�. What’s special, though, is that all the cards are ready to be coloured in. Children can create their very own Laura game, after which it’s that much more fun to play!
Contents: 33 trick-taking cards, 33 quartett cards, 6 pencil crayons, 1 rules insert. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
|
 Mampf
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Michael Schacht
Players: 3-4
Ages: 4 and up
Playing Time: 15 Minutes
Price: 7.99 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
It’s feeding time on the farm: Ponies, pigs, ducks and all the other animals are very hungry. Each child takes a feed piece into their hand. Those who are lucky and are the only one to have a certain type of feed in their hand get to attract an animal. The player who uses his feed the best and attracts the most animals is the winner.
Contents: 24 animal discs, 16 feed pieces, 1 rules insert. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
|
 Schnelldenker (Fast Thinkers)
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Keith Meyers
Players: 3-6
Ages: 12 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Price: 12.99 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
In this game, the players don’t have to answer each question correctly – it can be enough to be the fastest in accumulating points. Points are awarded to the player who is the first who can place his card into the correct space in a row of number cards. The points are recorded and the player who has the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
Contents: 236 question cards, 6 plastic player cards, 4 point cards and 1 rules insert.
How to play Schnelldenker:
- Each player receives a player card. During the game, it’s placed as quickly as possible into the gaps between number cards in a row.
- One player is chosen as moderator. Later, the moderator’s role rotates in a clockwise direction.
- The moderator receives the 4 point cards and opens the box of question cards, placing it in front of himself.
- Each card has a question, with its answer shown below. The answer is always a number.
- At the start of the question round, the moderator pulls out the front question card from the box and places it face-up onto the table. This question card forms the start of the number row.
- Now, the moderator draws the next question card from the box and reads it.
- Players must then immediately decide, as quickly as possible, into which gap in the number row they want to place their player card in order to answer the question.
- With the first question, there are two choices: left or right of the first question card.
- The quickest player to place his number card into the correct gap receives the 1 point card.
- The question card that was just read and guessed is added to the number row.
- Now, the moderator asks a second, third and fourth question. With each answer, the number row grows and the answer more difficult to find.
- After each subsequent question, the moderator gives out the 2, 3 and 4 point cards, respectively.
- After the fourth question, the question round is over and the moderator’s role changes.
- Once each player has been moderator once, the game is over. The player with the most points is the winner. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
|
 Taki
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Haim Shafir
Players: 2-10
Ages: 6 and up
Playing Time: 20 Minutes
Price: 6.49 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
Players take turns playing cards onto a pile in the middle of the table. In the process, the cards played must have either the same colour or symbol as the topmost card in the pile. The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
Contents: 112 cards, 1 rules insert
How to play Taki:
- All of the cards and shuffled and each player is dealt 8 cards.
- The remaining cards are placed as a face-down draw pile into the middle of the table.
- The topmost card of the draw pile is placed face-up next to the draw pile as the first card in the discard pile.
- On a player’s turn, he must either discard 1 or more cards to the discard pile or draw 1 card from the draw pile.
- A card played onto the discard pile must match either the colour or number of the topmost card in the discard pile.
- The ‘super taki’, ‘color change’ or ‘crazy card’ cards may always be discarded.
- Action cards affect the game: they change the direction of play, allow a player to draw cards, or force someone to skip a turn.
- As soon as one player only has 1 card left in hand, they must call “Taki�.
- If a player forgets to say this, he must draw 4 cards.
- The player who empties his hand first is the winner of the round. The other players all receive negative points.
- The winner of a round has 100 negative points removed from his total.
- After several rounds, the winner is the player with the fewest negative points. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
|
 Um Krone und Kragen
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Tom Lehmann
Players: 2-5
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 45 Minutes
Price: 12.99 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
You want to make a career out of wielding power at Court? Well, to be able to influence the King or his advisers, you’ll need to have lots of persuasiveness and the support of influential members of the court. Persuasiveness is represented by dice in this game. Each round, you roll dice in order to obtain certain character chards which bring you additional dice and special abilities. If you’re the first player to be able to roll with seven dice, you can try to obtain the favour of the King. And at the end, you might be at your goal.
Contents: 60 character chards, 12 dice, 5 summary cards, 1 start player marker, 1 rules insert.
How to play Um Krone Und Kragen:
- The character cards are placed in the middle of the table according to the figure in the rules.
- The start player receives the start player marker and begins a round of dice-rolling.
- On a player’s turn, he may roll multiple times, setting 1 die aside each time, until all the dice are used up.
- Using the resulting dice, the player can claim character cards and place them in front of himself. No player may own more than 1 copy of any given character.
- Each character card allows a player, on his turn, to modify his dice rolls or use additional dice.
- Over the course of the game, with the help of the character cards, players will get ever higher dice results.
- As soon as a player has rolled seven identical dice, then he can request favour from the King or Queen. That initiates the end of the game.
- During the final round of dice-rolling, each player can try one more time to supersede the best dice roll so far and claim the King for himself.
- Finally, the player who has the Queen gets a try. If he can claim the King back, then he’s won. Otherwise, the owner of the King is the winner. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
|
 Wizard - Jubiläumsedition (Wizard - Anniversary Edition)
Publisher: Amigo
Players: 3-6
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 45 Minutes
Price: 5.99 €
Release Date: Released
This is a ten year anniversary edition of Wizard that comes in a metal box (similar last year's 6 Nimmt! - Jubiläumsedition).
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
| The classic card game is turning 10 years old. Since 1996, this tricky card game has been published by Amigo, and the game still hasn't lost any of its charms. To celebrate the birthday of this successful classic, Amigo is releasing an anniversary edition in a metal box. |
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
While the famous magic academy at Stonehenge was still in operation, students had to learn this game in order to practice. Over thousands of years, the game became an enjoyable card game in which each player must announce to start how many tricks he will win. Not so simple, unless you have the power to see into the future!
Wizard can also be played online here: www.wizardcards.com |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box |
|
 Zahlenraten (Number Guessing)
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Reinhard Staupe
Players: 2-5
Ages: 6 and up
Playing Time: 15 Minutes
Price: 6.49 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
Ladybugs aren’t just good at skate-boarding – they’re also very good at their favourite card game. One, two, three, and just like that with a couple of well-thought-out guesses they’ve surrounded the number needed. Never was a number game so simple and exciting. No mathematics required – just guessing. Here, everyone truly can take part and win!
Contents: 50 cards, 1 rules insert. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Zoo ver-rückt (Crazy Zoo)
Publisher: Amigo
Designer: Grzegorz Rejchtman
Players: 2-6
Ages: 5 and up
Playing Time: 20 Minutes
Price: 7.99 €
Release Date: Released
Here is a description of the game from Amigo:
Crazy things are happening in the city zoo. Here, the animals are in different cages each time the visitors come to see them. One player picks out a specific animal; the others must find it. In the process, animal tiles are revealed and hidden elsewhere. The player who finds the required animal gets a chip. The player with the most chips win.
Contents: 21 animal tiles, 1 game board, 1 rules insert. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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Angelo Porazzi Games
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 WrestAngel
Publisher: Angelo Porazzi Games
Designer: Angelo Porazzi
Artist: Angelo Porazzi
Players: 2-10
Age: 6 and up
Game Languages: Italian and English
Rules Languages: Italian, English and German
Price: 10.00 €
Release Date: February 2006
Here is a description of the game from Angelo Porazzi Games:
| WRESTANGEL is a fast paced, interactive game up to 5 players with 2 warriors each, up to 10 players with 1 warrior each. All cards have double use: they can be used to Move, Fight, Avoid hits, play Special Actions OR to Pin an opponent down on the ground for the three seconds count. It is up to you to balance them well: it is unuseful to Throw down an opponent if you are not able to Pin it: One, Two… THREE!! |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |  The Game |  Some Cards |  Some Cards |
Links:
WrestAngel at Angelo Porazzi Games
|
 Asmodée
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Die Werwölfe von Düsterwald - Neumond - Ausdehnung n*1 (The Werewolves of the Dark Forest - New Moon - Expansion #1)
Publisher: Asmodée
This is an expansion for Die Werwölfe von Düsterwald (which was published in English as The Werewolves of Millers Hollow). The expansion includes new scenarios including one so 'secret' that the rules are printed in mirror text.
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 Café Games
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Ave Caesar
Café Games is publishing an English version of Ave Caesar (Pro Ludo).
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Ramparts
Café Games is publishing an English version of Spiel der Türme (Pro Ludo) to be titled Ramparts.
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 CardChess
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Elastico
Publisher: CardChess
Designer: Jeff Widderich
Here is a description of the game from Spielbox:
| Elastico, by Jeff Widderich, includes a game board as well as rubber bands, pegs and small posts. In the basic game, the obejct is to take over regions previously claimed by your opponents. Only then are you allowed to mark these regions with posts. When posts of a different colour are located in a newly-conquered region, they are removed and replaced by the new colour. When the last peg is placed and a player finishes his turn, the board is lifted and the posts fall through. The player with the most posts on the table is the winner. The game will be available in the Spring and is supposed to allow endless game variants. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Game |
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Chaos In Motion Games
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Chaos Arena
Publisher: Chaos In Motion Games
Players: 2
Playing Time: 120 Minutes
Price: 50.00 € (approximately)
Here is a description of the game from Spielbox:
| Chaos Arena was originally announced for Essen, but had to be delayed. Now, the fantasy game, which had previously been released in editions of 50 and 200 copies, is finished. |
Here is a description of the game from the publisher:
Once upon a time, during the second millenium, deep in the underground of the gaming world a new game was introduced ... it became a cult object ... now, 12.5 years later, this unspeakably blasphemous cyclopian horror returns. Forget about your friends, kiss your relationships goodbye:
The disturbed and deranged monks of Chaos in Motion are re-releasing the NEW, REVISED edition of the cult classic "CHAOS ARENA" using the original 1992 artwork - digitally remastered of course. SHUDDER AT globbering heaps of tentacles sucking your enemy's face off! OGLE nude leering daemons and depraved goings-ons! SEE arcane and eldritch Magicks at work!
CHAOS ARENA is a two player fantasy board game of SKILL, CARNAGE and SHEER BLOODY CHAOS where you take on the roll of MAGICK USERS in an all out duel to the death within the DECAYING and DEMON infested walls OF the CHAOS ARENA, floating FIVE THOUSAND FEET in THE fetid air.
As a MAGE you are aided by a WARBAND of MERCENARIES and SLAVES to help you DESTROY YOUR ENEMY!
To win you must simply... KILL THE OTHER WIZARD! |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Game |  The Game |
Links:
Chaos Arena Website
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 Clementoni
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Fischmarkt (Fishmarket)
Publisher: Clementoni
Here is a description of the game from Die Pöppelkiste:
| With Fischmarkt (Fishmarket), the big box has been abandoned. The new box, which is less than half the size of the old one, contains a game designed by Venice Connection. As the name might indicate, it’s about buying and selling fish. First, the fish have to be caught using fishing boats. Then, they go to market. Many of the fish have variable values – only herring and hummer() have stable prices and always find buyers. The goal is to satisfy the demands of the customers. The player who does this the best gets the most money. After each round, profits are brought to the bank, so that each player has the same starting capital each round. The player with the most gold at the end of the game is the winner. |
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 Schillerstraße - Das Spiel
Publisher: Clementoni
Players: 3-8
Ages: 14 and up
Release Date: March 31, 2006
This game is based on a popular German television game show. From what we understand, the show is a kind of a German version of Who's Line Is It Anyway - an improv show that features audience interaction.
Here is a description of the game from Spiele-Offensive:
Convince your fellow players of the advantages of Italian men. Get a case of beer from somwhere, anywhere. Or get everyone together to practice a Canon. A total of 132 bizarre directorial instructions await the players.
When Uncle Fritz tries his hand at being a sports reporter or sister Lucy puts on her famous cucumber facial, everyone can't help but laugh. Using the director's instructions, each player must improvise a short scene that incorporates all of the directions. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |  The Game |
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 Wetten dass...? (Wanna Bet...?)
Publisher: Clementoni
Players: 2-10
Ages: 12 and up
Release Date: February 10, 2006
This game is based on a popular German television game show.
Here is a description of the game from Spiele-Offensive:
| Excellent, the bet's good! Whether alone or in a team, with the actors, artists, or even "Wanna Bet...?" bet, each player / team has difficult tasks to complete in five different categories in order to reach the betting couch and win the game. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |  The Game |
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Coppenrath Verlag
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 Mein lustiges Magnet - Spielbrett - Buch (My Fun Magnet Boardgame - Book)
Publisher: Coppenrath Verlag
Players: 2-4
Ages: 6 and up
Price: 12.95 €
Here is a description of the game from Spielbox:
| Kai Haferkamp has come up with Mein Lustiges Magnet-Spielbrett-Buch (My Fun Magnet Boardgame-Book). It contains four different game boards dealing with the vacation theme (on the farm, at the sea, in the mountains, in the city). The game figures have small magnets in their bases so that they stay put and don't fall off. The boards are illustrated as 'busy scenes' so that there's lots to talk about over and above the game. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Book (Small Picture) |  A Board (Small Picture) |
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 daVinci Games
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BANG! Deluxe (Working Title)
Publisher: daVinci Games
Release Date: May 2006
Other Language Versions:
English - BANG! Deluxe (Mayfair Games)
German - BANG! Deluxe (Abacusspiele)
Here is a description of the game from daVinci Games:
| BANG! Deluxe (Working Title) is a collection of all of our BANG! titles sold in a very special box, with many surprises.... you will know more later! |
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Figaro
Publisher: daVinci Games
Designer: Reiner Knizia
Players: 2-5
Release Date: May 2006
Other Language Versions:
English - Figaro (Mayfair Games)
German - Figaro (Abacusspiele)
Here is a description of the game from daVinci Games:
| Figaro is a new card game by Reiner Knizia, for 2-5 players. It's set in the world of Viva il Re! / King Me!, but it's got totally different mechanics... but one rule in common! |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front (This may not be the final art) |
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Leonardo da Vinci
Publisher: daVinci Games
Designer: Acchittocca
Players: 2-5
Release Date: May 2006
Other Language Versions:
English - Leonardo da Vinci (Mayfair Games)
German - Maestro Leonardo (Abacusspiele)
Here is a description of the game from daVinci Games:
| Leonardo da Vinci (titled Maestro Leonardo for the German market) is a "gamers' game" for 2-5 players by Acchittocca (a team of Italian game designers). It's a very good game where you need to buy resources and materials to create your brilliant inventions in your laboratories. It's based on a very original - yet simple - auction mechanic. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front (This may not be the final art) |
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 Days of Wonder
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 Cleopatra and the Society of Architects
Publisher: Days of Wonder
Designers: Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc
Players: 3-5
Ages: 8 and up
Playing Time: 60 Minutes
Language Versions:
German - Kleopatra und die Architektenvereinigung
English - Cleopatra and the Society of Architects
French - Cléopâtre et la Société des Architectes
Price: 49.95 US$ or 49.95 €
Release Date - Spring 2006 (Europe), June 2006 (North America)
Cleopatra and the Society of Architects is the next big box game from Days of Wonder.
Here's a description of the game from publisher Days of Wonder:
Designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc, Cleopatra & the Society of Architects is a fun and engaging family game that includes a true, three-dimensional palace that players compete to build. Players strive to become the wealthiest of Cleopatra’s architects by constructing the most magnificent and valuable parts of her palace.
Players, however, will be tempted to deal with shady characters and trade in materials of dubious origins in order to help them build faster. While these corrupt practices might allow an architect to stay a step ahead of the rest, they come with a high price – cursed Corruption Amulets honoring Sobek, the Crocodile-god. When Cleopatra finally strolls into her new palace, at the end of the game, the most corrupt architect (the one with the most amulets) will be seized and offered as a sacrifice to her sacred crocodile! Only then will the wealthiest architect, from among those still alive, be selected and declared the winner of the game.
“The component design in Cleopatra is the most innovative we’ve undertaken to date,� said Days of Wonder CEO, Eric Hautemont. “While it’s still a board game, the dozens of 3D pieces – Column walls, Doorframes, Obelisks, Sphinxes, and Palace Throne – all create the sense that you’re constructing a royal palace.�
“The game play really forces players into continually weighing the risks and rewards between taking enough corruption to enhance your position in the game, but not so much that you are forced out of the game at the end,� said the game’s co-designer, Bruno Cathala. “It’s a classic ‘push your luck’ dilemma that continually raises the tension level higher and higher until the game reaches its climax.� |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front (German Version) |  An Artisan Card |  An Artisans Card |  A Courtesan Card |  An Envoy Card |  A Lapis Card |
Links:
Cleopatra and the Society of Architects Website
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 Ticket to Ride - Märklin
Publisher: Days of Wonder
Designer: Alan R. Moon
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes
Language Versions:
German - Zug um Zug - Märklin
English - Ticket to Ride - Märklin
French - Les Adventuriers du Rail - Märklin
Price: 39.95 US$ or 34.95 €
Ticket to Ride - Märklin is the third in the award winning Ticket to Ride series of games. As with previous games in the series, this will be a standalone game.
Here's a description of the game from publisher Days of Wonder:
The boardmap for the Märklin Edition is based on a map of Germany and introduces Passengers and Merchandise to the Ticket to Ride gameplay.
Passengers are used to pick up merchandise worth different numbers of points along the routes that they claim. Varying stacks of merchandise tokens with different point values are placed next to the different cities on the map. Players can place one of their 3 Passenger tokens on any city along a route that they claim. On his game turn, the player can choose to then move one of his passengers from the city it currently occupies along any or all of his continuous routes, picking up Merchandise Tokens from each city he moves through. Of course he'll always take the highest remaining tokens. The point total of the tokens is then added to his score.
Other game play changes are the vertical orientation of the German map, and instead of a bonus for longest route, the 10 point bonus card goes to the player who completes the most Destination Tickets.
While boardgamers may not be familiar with the Märklin name, train hobbyists consider it the premier name in the model train world. This German company has been around for over 140 years and is the world's leader in the miniature train hobby. Each train card in this edition will feature a different image (118 in all) of a Märklin model train car or locomotive. To learn more about Märklin we invite you to visit their website at www.marklin.com. To learn of their history as a toy manufacturer visit: http://www.marklin.com/about/. |
Here's a description of the game from designer Alan R. Moon:
Now that I’m free to talk, here are some more details about the game.
1. There are 46 Tickets divided equally into two decks: Long Tickets valued 12-22 and Short Tickets valued 5-11. At the start of the game, each player draws four Tickets in any combination from the two decks or all from one deck. You must keep at least two.
2. Most of the Tickets are for north-south connections, especially the Long Tickets.
3. The west side of the map is mostly generic (non-colored) short routes. The east side of the map is mostly colored long routes. There are 7 space routes in the east.
4. At the start of the game, Berlin receives four Tokens valued 7, 6, 5, 4 at the start. Major cities receive three Tokens valued 4, 3, 2, Big cities receive two Tokens value 3, 2, 1, and Small cities receive one Token value 2 woth 18 points.
5. Each player gets three Passengers. When you Claim a Route, you can place one of your Passengers in either city as long as it doesn’t already contain a Passenger. At anytime later in the game, you can spend your whole turn to move one of your Passengers that is already on the board. You can move the Passenger any number of cities along your own routes, and you pick up one Token in each city you enter. You score a number of points equal to the total of all the Tokens taken. The Passenger is removed once scored, so you have a maximum of three Passenger moves per game.
6. There are two new cards in the deck:
1) There is a 4+ Locomotive. You can draw this like a regular card. You can play it as part of a set to Claim any route 4-7 spaces.
2) There is a Passenger Card. You can draw this like a regular card. When moving a Passenger, you can play any number of Passenger Cards and use one route belonging to an opponent for each card played.
7. There are two very different basic strategies in the game. One, you can take Long Tickets and build long routes on the eastern half of the board (which should especially appeal to the USA fans). Two, you can take Short Tickets and build short routes on the western half of the board where there are more Tokens, and try to make lots of Passenger points. Of course, the winning strategy will probably combine aspects of both of these strategies in most games. |
First Impression by Rick Thornquist (after one playing of a prototype):
This version of the game, in addition to giving us a new map of Germany, gives us a number of new additions to the Ticket to Ride system. The city-to-country tickets that were introduced in the Switzerland map (in Ticket to Ride: The Computer Game) are here as well as a completely new mechanism - passengers and merchandise.
I've only played a prototype of the game once, but I recall finding the passengers and merchandise mechanism very interesting. Making continuous routes to cities with merchandise is a new strategic avenue as well as deciding when and where to move your passengers to grab the best merchandise (and getting them before other players do).
I'm very much looking forward to trying the final version of this game.
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box (English Version) |  The Box (French Version) |  The Box (German Version) |  A Black Train Card |  A Black Train Card |  A Black Train Card |  A Blue Train Card |  An Orange Train Card |  A Purple Train Card |  A Red Train Card |  A White Train Card |  A Yellow Train Card |  A Locomotive Card |  A Locomotive Card |  A Special Locomotive Card |  A Passenger Card |  The Train Card Back |  A Destination Ticket Card |  A Destination Ticket Card | A Destination Ticket Card |  A Destination Ticket Card |
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 Drei Magier Spiele
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 Das Geheimnis von Mont Saint Michel (The Secret of Mont Saint Michel)
Publisher: Drei Magier Spiele
Designers: Kappler and Rüttinger
Players: 2-4
Ages: 10 and up
Here is a description of the game from the distributor, Schmidt Spiele:
| Have you heard? Secret messages are recing back and forth across the famous monastery mountain. But which are true? And which are lies? No wonder that mistrust dominates the secret proceedings. Only with intuition and logic can you get on the right track to the secret. And it could all be so easy - after all, the mesages really are hiding within the playing figures. The Secret of Mont Saint Michel: on the search for truth. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Funny Fishing
Publisher: Drei Magier Spiele
Ages: 4 and up
Release Date: March 6, 2006
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Eggertspiele
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 John Silver
Publisher: Eggertspiele
Designer: Martin Schlegel
Artists: Malte Olbertz
Graphic Design: Birgit Stolte
Players: 2-4
Ages: 10 and up
Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Release Date: End of February 2006
This will be the first time at Nuremberg for Eggertspiele. This is the publisher's first card game. The game will be available for advance ordering on February 13, 2006 from the Eggertspiele website.
Here's a description of the game from Spielbox:
| (There) will be a truly new game, John Silver, a card game by Martin Schlegel. Spielbox had a chance to play a prototype of the game at a gaming convention in Sauerland, and it was a lot of fun, by all accounts. John Silver is an "ah, I see" game - you play out a card and wonder who's going to take the trick. And when the trick is taken, it's usually accompanied by "ah, I see". |
Here's a description of the game from Eggertspiele:
Naturally you want to grab most coins. And gladly gives you many apples to your right neighbour. However not from generosity, but because you with John Silver around the corner think must. But even if you worry intensively about coins and apples, you may not lose sight of the letters with the black mark!
With John Silver slips each player into a role as pirate and receives six cards. There are 3 categories: treasure chest, pirate und pirate ship. The players form a row for each card category and player, into which the respective cards are put down. If a row is full, it comes to a judgement. The card with the second highest number is put to the card with the highest number and the secondarylowest card moves to the lowest. The two players, with whose pirates cards lie now, take the cards.
Each apple and each coin bring pluses to you, Cards with the black mark against it points of minus. Deceitful is however the apple: This is passed on to the left neighbour and brings there the points.
John Silver is a tactical game, with which you around the corner think must. 2-4 players must lay their cards out carefully considered. And if it go wrong: At one duration of 30 minutes you make it better with next time. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |  The Box Back |  The John Silver Card |  The Pirate Card |  The Pirate Ship Card |  The Treasure Chest Card |  An Example Card |  An Example Card |
Links:
John Silver Picture
|
 Fantasy Flight Games
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 Battles of the Third Age
Fantasy Flight Games is publishing an English version of Battaglie della Terza Era (Nexus Editrice) to be titled Battles of the Third Age.
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 Warrior Knights
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Original Games Workshop Edition Designer: Derek Carver
Designers: Corey Konieczka, Bruno Faidutti and Pierre Cléquin
Developer: Corey Konieczka
Artists: Francis Tsai, Robert Lazzaretti, John Gravato and Tomasz Jedruszek
Graphic Designers: Andrew Navaro, Brian Schomburg and Scott Nicely
Player: 2-6
Playing Time: 2-4 Hours
This is a new version of Warrior Knights, originally published by Games Workshop in 1985.
Here is a description of the expansion from Fantasy Flight Games:
The Kingdom is in chaos. The King lies dead without an heir, slain by a villainous hand. Will a leader rise up and rally the support of the people, or will the shadow of anarchy spread over the land?
Through the deliberation, it is plain to see that this conflict will not end without bloodshed. With such power at stake, there will be no compromise. Even now, each Baron plots to gain advantage and hires hardened mercenaries to strengthen his forces. Soon the crashing of marching boots and the roar of battle will drown out the negotiations taking place at the Assembly. Fortresses will fall, cities will be razed, and a King will be crowned.
In Warrior Knights, each player takes on the role of one of six powerful Barons vying for control of the Kingdom. Through strategy, politics, and raw force, Barons gain influence over the land.
In this struggle for power, will you lay siege to your opponent's city or try a more perilous assault? Does your strength lie in your military might or in your political power? Will you focus your limited resources on hiring mercenaries, supporting the Church, or gaining the upper hand at the Assembly? The choice is yours in Warrior Knights.
FFG's re-envisioning of the classic game of power and politics has arrived! This re-design of the 1985 Games Workshop classic features new streamlined gameplay, brilliant graphics, and gorgeous components. Warrior Knights is finally available for a new generation of contenders to the throne. For two to six players, playable in two to four hours. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
Links:
Warrior Knights Website at Fantasy Flight Games
Warrior Knights Rules (in PDF format) at Fantasy Flight Games
|
 Gmeiner-Verlag
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 Kreuzverhör (Cross Examination)
Publisher: Gmeiner-Verlag
Designer: Sonja Klein
Artists: Lutz Eberle
Players: 2
Ages: 12 and up
Playing Time: 40 Minutes
Price: 12.90 €
Here is a description of the game from Die Pöppelkiste:
| The game Kreuzverhor (Cross Examination) is a deduction game – one of a relative few in the genre. The game’s object is to find the right combination of criminal, crime scene, crime and tool. To do this, players alternately play out combinations and find out how many of them are correct (but without finding out which ones are correct). They can then play an action card that lets them get additional information. These action cards can be neutralized using defense cards. The first player to deduce the right combination and lay it out wins. The game sounds a little like Mastermind, but with the extra cards that can provide more information. |
Pictures: (Click on the picture to see a larger version)
 The Box Front |
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 Goldsieber
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Der .. verruckte Rauber (The Crazy Robber)
Publisher: Goldsieber
Designer: Manfred Ludwig
Players: 3-6
Ages: 5 and up
Here is a description of the game from |
By Rick Thornquist
