Mindbug X King of Tokyo: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Head to Head, Push Your Luck
Player Age: 8+ Player Count: 2 Players Time to Play: 15 - 25 Minutes
Game Designer: Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, Christian KudahlGame Artist: Denis MartynetsPublisher: Nerdlab GamesYear Published: 2025BGG Weight: 2.00Disclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the publisher.
Player Age: 8+
Game Designer: Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, Christian Kudahl
Mindbug is a fast paced head to head game I have reviewed several times; the main review can be found here. The focus of this review is the crossover that no one saw coming. Richard Garfield is the designer of both Mindbug and King of Tokyo, and this iteration of Mindbug X King of Tokyo has the theme of King of Tokyo combined with the mechanisms of Mindbug.
Contents:
In the game there are 32 creature cards, four Mindbug cards, and health trackers like normal mindbug sets.
There is a dice for each player which will be used when creatures with the dice symbol attack. There are power cards which are new to Mindbug but a crucial element of King of Tokyo. These cards contain immediate effects and can be purchased through energy cubes during the game.
New Mechanics:
There are two new phases in the game added due to the King of Tokyo mechanics. At the start of a player's turn they can spend energy to buy any of the three power cards displayed. Cards are replaced immediately so the player can keep buying if they have enough energy. All of the power cards have immediate effects and are then discarded.
When a player attacks if that creature has one or two dice visible on their card, after the attacker is declared before blocker is decided. The attacker will roll die equal to the amount on their card. These dice can be re-rolled once but after the first roll the dice have been set.
The energy symbol will give the attacking player that much energy, the attack symbol will force the defending player to discard a creature card, and any value result will increase the attackers power by that value.
Theme:
The underlying concept here is a love letter to the growing universe of King of Tokyo. There are characters covering the whole franchise including the original King of Tokyo, King of New York, King of Monster Island, King of Tokyo Origins, and even promo creatures. The only element I didn't see covered was King of Tokyo Dark. The power cards even mirror some for the famous cards from the other games like
Mechanically the game implements the dice and the power up cards to add an extra buying power card phase. I find the theme so strong in this game that I'm not sure yet if I will mix this with the other content for Mindbug or keep it isolated. Either way this copy will be next to King of Tokyo games where is belongs.
Final Thoughts:
- The cards are a love-letter to the game with references across the entire King of Tokyo franchise.
- All creature cards are unique.
- The style of the cards mixes perfectly with the other mind bug sets and it would only equate to less energy and die rolls if mixed.
- Same Mindbug atmosphere and gameplay.
I think Mindbug X King of Tokyo is my favourite set. As a fan of the King of Tokyo franchise I can say that this set feels right at home in that universe. The gameplay remains as fast as ever, even with the two new mechanisms of rolling the King of Tokyo die and spending energy for instant effects. Whenever a creature with the die symbol attacks, the dice are rolled. The player than has one chance to re-roll, the results will either increase the monster’s power (before blocking is declared), discard a card from the opponents hand, or gain energy. Energy is a new but familiar mechanism that can be spent at the start of a turn to gain immediate effects from a three card display. This edition has earnt a Golden Seal of Approval and works great for any fan of either King of Tokyo or the Mindbug series. If mixing cards from previous sets I would only mix a few to not dilute the new mechanisms.
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