By: Iello Players: 2-6 Ages: 8+ Time: 30 mins
Japan is an incredible country that combines tradition and industrialization perfectly. It’s contributed so much in the way of pop culture and technology and boasts a rich landscape with many cultural sites to explore: Tokyo Tower, Hiroshima Castle, Mount Fuji, The Imperial Palace…it’s no wonder so many tourists flock there every year.
It’s just a shame about the frequent gigantic monster attacks!
Select one of six kaiju and battle other players for supremacy over the city of Tokyo. This explosive game involves rolling dice to deal damage and playing evolution cards to power up. Players can choose from mutant monsters, gigantic robots, and strange aliens. The last monster standing is declared King!
What Is King Of Tokyo? A Game of Giant Monsters
King of Tokyo Board Game was released back in 2011 then re-released in 2016 and was created by Richard Garfield. Garfield is famous for creating many popular collectible card games in the nineties, including Magic: The Gathering, and is the great, great, grandson of former US president Andrew Garfield…hands up whoever was today years old when they learned that! (Raises hand).
King of Tokyo is like a game of King of the Hill but with mutant monsters vying to be the one who gets to destroy Tokyo. The game has you rolling six dice as its main mechanic and players use the results of these rolls to determine what actions they’ll take on their turn. They can attack other players, heal wounds, collect energy cubes, or gain victory points.
Throughout the game, monsters will be moving in and out of the city strategically, as well as into Tokyo bay if there are more than four players. Players must occupy Tokyo to gain advantages such as earning extra victory points and the ability to attack all players not in Tokyo, but it also comes with the disadvantage of not being able to heal and facing all the other monsters alone. The winner is the first player to gain twenty victory points, or destroy everyone else and be the last one standing, becoming the one and only King of Tokyo.
How to Play King of Tokyo Board Game
Set-up doesn’t take very long, except for when it comes to choosing which kaiju to play as! There are six in the base game ranging from non-copyright infringing versions of King Kong and Godzilla, to gigantic robots and a mega shark, to a giant space penguin with a ray gun. When ready, players take the standee of their gigantic monster and the corresponding monster board, making sure the health is set to ten and victory points to zero. The power cards are shuffled, three are placed face up near the board with the others placed face down to create a deck. Energy cubes and dice should be kept within easy reach and the green dice kept to one side for later. Each player then rolls the six black dice and whoever scores the most claw marks goes first.
Each turn is made up of several actions or phases:
Roll Dice
Resolve Dice
Enter Tokyo
Buy Power cards
End of turn
Players take the six dice and can roll them as many as three times if they aren’t happy with the results. This includes any dice that were previously set aside when the player decides to switch up strategies. After all three rolls, the results of the dice are resolved.
Each dice has four possible outcomes: smash, heal, gain energy, and victory points. Like in Yatzee, players have three successive throws to try and get the results they want. For every smash (claw mark) rolled, players in a different location to the active player lose one health point.
During the game, if a player ever inflicts damage during their turn they can choose to occupy Tokyo City and/or Tokyo Bay. When a player in Tokyo rolls smash icons, they will hit all players outside Tokyo. When a player outside Tokyo does the same, they will hit the player(s) occupying Tokyo but everyone else is safe. If the player occupying Tokyo is hit and their health falls dangerously low, they can withdraw from the city at this point. Where everyone starts the game outside Tokyo, if the player starting the game rolls any smash icons they may as well re-roll as they won’t be able to attack anyone.
Heal (a heart) allows players outside Tokyo to replenish one health point for every heart rolled. Players are only able to heal outside Tokyo so it’s important to know when to retreat. If a player loses all their health points and a skull is displayed on their monster board then they have been vanquished and are out of the game.
Energy (lightning bolt) represents energy cubes. For each of these dice rolled, players can take just as many energy cubes. These will be used later in the player’s turn.
You can win victory points by rolling three of the same number. If any more than three of the same number are rolled the player will get an extra point. EG. If the player rolls four 2’s on their dice they will get three points: 2 points for three of a kind and an extra point for the fourth dice.
Once the dice actions are resolved, if nobody is occupying Tokyo the active player must then enter the city. Doing so will grant that player a victory point and whoever starts their turn in Tokyo will gain two points at the start of their turn. Being in Tokyo is a double-edged sword, although you gain extra victory points and can attack every other player, every other player can attack you and you can’t heal. Knowing when to stand your ground and live to fight another day is a delicate balancing act.
The final step to a player’s turn involves purchasing cards. Energy cubes can be used to purchase one of the face-up upgrade cards which will provide a permanent or temporary effect, earn extra victory points, or allow them to roll extra dice on their turn. When a card is purchased a new one is drawn from the deck and replaces it. If players aren’t happy with the current selection they can exchange cubes and put three new energy cards on display instead.
After this the player ends their turn and the player on their left takes theirs. Play continues in this style until either one player is left standing, having defeated their opponents, or someone secures twenty victory points.
Expansions and Spin-Offs
As entertaining as the game on its own is, there have been several expansion packs and stand-alone games that borrow heavily from the rules but make one or two minor changes.
The Power Up! expansion introduces a significant new element to the game: Evolution cards. Each monster gains unique abilities through these Evolution cards, adding a layer of strategy and personalisation to gameplay. To acquire Evolution cards, players must roll three hearts, even if they are in Tokyo. Drawing cards from their own Evolution deck, players can use these new abilities to gain an edge over their opponents. This expansion not only enhances the replayability but also makes each monster feel distinct and adds exciting new strategies to explore.
King of New York, is a standalone version of the game that, was released in 2014 and takes the same concept but changes the setting to the titular city, competing instead over who gets to beat their chest atop the empire state building. There is also a cooperative version called King of Monster Island which keeps the gameplay the same, but pits players against a boss character rather than against each other and is a great option if your have a few different age groups playing together or if your kids struggle with competitive games.
The Dark Edition doesn’t change anything about the game play but does alter the aesthetic to be a little less silly and just gives a different flavor to the experience. You definitely don’t need to seek out the dark edition if you have the base game as it doesn’t alter the base game.
There are a variety of expansion packs that add all kinds of unique monsters to the mix as well as some additional upgrade cards. Although they don’t make a difference to the running of the game, if presented with the option of playing as the likes of Anubis or Cthulhu, why would you turn it down?
Expansions include special cards like the ‘nova death ray’ which add dynamic features to the game.
Summary
Enjoyable to play
Simple to learn
Great artwork
Expansions for replayability
Giant monsters!
Aim to be the only surviving monster to win the game
Final Verdict
King of Tokyo Board Game is one of the most explosive games, offering a fast-paced action experience that’s highly enjoyable and easy to learn. It takes practically no time to set up and you can easily fit several sessions into one afternoon. The only minor criticism would be that players can potentially be eliminated quite quickly. If dice rolls go a certain way players might not get the opportunity to escape Tokyo or heal before the next turn. You’d have to be quite unlucky to go out in the first few turns but I have seen it happen before. Ultimately, the solid gameplay, combined with the fun aesthetic and the ability to play mutant monsters destroying Tokyo, makes this an excellent game.
If You Liked This:
We recommend this game in our list of best games for 8 year olds, which you can check out if you are looking for more games for that age group.
For those that like the sound or theme of this one, below are some similarly paced games to try out:
King Of Monster Island: The same basic mechanics, but with players working with rather than against each other in order to defeat a boss monster to create a new yet familiar experience
Smash Up: A deck-building game where players combine two, twenty-card decks to create crazy factions in order to battle other players and claim bases. Excellent replay value with plenty of set of cards to try
Pandemic: A cooperative game involving players taking on specific roles to try and spread a worldwide outbreak of four different diseases.
Castle Panic: Work together to repel the onslaught of Orcs and Trolls by defending your castle with various units and traps.
Munchkin: A fast-paced silly card game seeing players try to get to the end of the dungeon whilst slaying monsters, collecting items, and leveling up. Plenty of alternatives to the base game to try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does a typical game of King of Tokyo take?
A standard game of King of Tokyo usually takes about 30 minutes to play. However, game length can vary depending on the number of players and the pace at which they make their moves.
Can King of Tokyo be played solo?
King of Tokyo is primarily designed as a competitive game for 2 to 6 players, and it does not have official solo rules. However, players often create their own solo variants to enjoy the game alone.
Is King of Tokyo a suitable family game for children?
Yes, King of Tokyo is suitable for children and is recommended for ages 8 and up. It’s the best family game because the rules are easy to understand, making it accessible for younger players, while still offering strategic depth for older participants.
Do I need to buy expansions to earn victory points in King of Tokyo?
No, the base game of King of Tokyo is complete and provides ample enjoyment on its own. Expansions and spin-offs offer additional variety and replayability for those looking to enhance their experience, but they are not necessary.
What’s the difference between King of Tokyo and King of New York?
King of New York builds on the mechanics of King of Tokyo with additional gameplay elements such as buildings to destroy and a more diverse range of actions. While they share a common core, each offers a unique gaming experience.
Are there any balance issues with certain monsters or cards?
The game has been designed with balance in mind, and while certain monsters or cards might seem more powerful initially, the competitive nature of the game means that strategic play usually offsets these differences.
Can I play King of Tokyo online?
As of now, there isn’t an official digital version. However, there are online platforms and unofficial adaptations that allow for virtual gameplay.
How can I make the game more challenging?
Players can increase the difficulty by introducing house rules, such as limiting the number of re-rolls or increasing the victory points required for a win. Experimenting with different combinations of expansions can also add complexity and challenge.
What should I do if pieces get damaged or lost?
Most board game companies, including Iello, offer replacement parts for purchase. It’s always a good idea to contact the manufacturer directly if you need specific components.
Is there a maximum number of players for King of Tokyo?
The game is designed for a maximum of 6 players. Increasing the number above this limit can disrupt the balance and enjoyment of the game.