Ubongo Pokémon First Impressions
Ubongo Pokémon is a speed game with a Pokemon theme.
But is it any good?
A Pokemon version of the popular puzzle game “Ubongo”!
Ubongo Pokémon Game Overview
Quick Rules Summary
Players have a matching set of 8 polyomino tiles each with Pokemon on them. There are a few ways to play the game but I’m going to cover the rules from the publisher’s website.
Players simultaneously flip over a puzzle tile and start to fit their pieces into it. Each of the puzzles only uses 3 or 4 pieces so some of the 8 are not required.
When a player fills their puzzle, without going over the edges of it obviously, they shout “Ubongo!”.
They then start to count to an agreed total, usually 20 to 30 seconds, and everyone else that finishes in that time joins in the count.
How do you win?
Players who complete their puzzle before time runs out keep the puzzle tile as a point. Anyone that didn’t gives their tile to the player that finished first.
After 8 rounds, the player with the most puzzle tiles wins.
Main Mechanisms
Speed, obviously, as well as pattern recognition. Tile laying is listed as a mechanism but I don’t see this type of placing tiles as ’tile placement’.
USP
The Pokemon theme is the only reason I bought this at the Pokemon Centre Tokyo DX. I bought 4 board games while in Japan but I didn’t expect to buy one in the Pokemon Centre!
Theme
Pokemon! Ha nah, not really. Pokemon are on the tiles and the puzzle tiles are Pokeball-esque but no theme here really.
Setup & Rulebook
Setup is a simple case of shuffling the puzzle cards and giving out a set of tiles.
The rulebook is in Japanese and I’ve only been learning it for a month or so at the time of writing so while I can read it… I don’t understand it. Luckily there are many sources with rules for Ubongo, just hope I’m playing the one intended for this version of the game.
Components & Artwork
The tiles have a nice feel.
The cards are OK and do the job but if you’re playing on a wooden table they can spin when you’re placing tiles.
Ease of Teaching
Yes, it is easy to teach.
Similar Games
Well, another game I bought in Japan is Nine Tiles Pokemon which is another Pokemon-themed speed game.
Ubongo Pokémon Review
Positives
The Pokemon theme is always going to attract me to a game.
It’s a perfect filler, quick to teach and can end at any time.
Fitting the tiles together is actually really tough. I was fiddling with them while writing this and I couldn’t get them to fit into one of the patterns at all, never mind against the clock!
Negatives
The theme and lightness of the game are going to be a tough sell for a lot of people which is where the ease of teaching and speed of a round will help. You know how gamers are, play one round and they’ll want to play another and win!
Summary
A really fun puzzle/speed game.
Jesta ThaRogue
