Highly awarded · 2 organizations

King of Tokyo

Richard Garfield · iello · 2011

Giant monsters battle for control of Tokyo through Yahtzee-style dice rolling. Push your luck to deal damage, heal, or buy power-up cards. When you claim Tokyo you hit everyone but can't heal — creating a simple risk-reward decision that generates cheers around the table.

Players

2–6

Time

30 min

Ages

Difficulty

Light

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Why you'll like it

Yahtzee-style dice rolling is immediately accessible
Giant monster theme delights kids and adults
Power-up cards add variety and combos
30 minutes makes it a perfect family game
Up to 6 players keeps everyone engaged

How it plays

In King of Tokyo, you're a giant monster fighting for control of Tokyo. On your turn you roll six dice up to three times, keeping the ones you want, a bit like Yahtzee. The faces let you score points, heal, gain energy or attack.

Only one monster can be in Tokyo at a time. While you're in Tokyo, your attacks hit everyone outside, and everyone outside attacks you. You score points for staying in Tokyo, but you can't heal there, so you're constantly deciding when to leave.

You can spend energy on power cards that give your monster special abilities. The first monster to 20 points, or the last monster standing, wins.