Wannabe Football (2018) Board Game

Wannabe Football is a card game designed by Erik Atzen and Martin Rasmussen, and published by Game Absorber in in 2018. The game is aimed at 2-4 players and has a playtime of 5-15 minutes. It falls under the categories of card game and sports, with gameplay focusing on hand management, push your luck, and team-based strategies.

Game Components of Wannabe Football

60-card deck: 41 green player cards and 19 red multi cards.

Each player starts with a hand of four green player cards.

A field map divided into six regions.

How To Setup Wannabe Football

To set up the game, each player receives a hand of four green player cards. The field is conceptualized through the maps on the player cards, which indicate the starting and ending regions for each move.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Play: Players play cards from their hand, ensuring the new card’s starting region matches the previous card’s ending region.

Multi Cards: Used for resolving various game decisions, such as fouls, free kicks, and shots on goal. These cards have various symbols that determine the outcome.

Stars and Whistles: Cards with stars allow for additional plays if the Multi card drawn has a star. Whistle cards can result in fouls, giving the opponent an advantage.

Dribbling: Certain cards allow a player to draw a card from their opponent’s hand.

Passing and Out of Bounds: If a player cannot play a valid card, they must pass. Two consecutive passes result in the ball being out of bounds, allowing the opponent to restart play.

Shooting: Players can attempt to score by playing shooting cards, with the outcome determined by a Multi card.

Game Objective: The player with the most goals at the end of the deck wins.

Player Experience

**Wannabe Football** aims to capture the essence of soccer in a card game format, with a whimsical and blocky artwork style. However, gameplay can sometimes become a slog, especially when players are unable to play matching cards, leading to repeated throw-ins. The game’s mechanics, such as dribbling cards reducing hand size, can exacerbate this issue.

Pros

Accessible: Simple rules make it suitable for the whole family.

Thematic: The card play system thematically matches soccer movements.

Visuals: The artwork is fun and engaging.

Cons

Game Flow: Frequent inability to play matching cards can disrupt game flow.

Hand Size: Dribbling cards can reduce hand size, making it harder to play valid cards.

Personal Thoughts on Wannabe Football

**Wannabe Football** is ideal for those looking for a quick, light-hearted soccer-themed card game. While it excels in its thematic design and accessibility, it may not offer the consistent fun and fluid gameplay that some players might expect. It is particularly suited for families or casual gamers rather than hardcore strategy enthusiasts. Despite some gameplay hiccups, it remains a charming and easy-to-learn game that can be enjoyed by both soccer fans and non-fans alike.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.