Ubongo! Junior (2012) Board Game

Ubongo! Junior is a board game that was released in 2012 by KOSMOS. Designed by Grzegorz Rejchtman, this game is a junior version of the popular Ubongo puzzle game. It is aimed at children aged 5 and above, making it a great option for families looking for a fun and engaging game to play together.

Game Components of Ubongo Junior

9 tiles per player, each of a different color and shape, and each showing an animal

7 puzzle boards per player, with easy and hard sides

Gems for scoring

Sandtimer

How To Setup Ubongo Junior

To set up the game, each player receives nine tiles and a stack of seven puzzle boards. The puzzle boards have different arrangements of squares that need to be covered with two or three tiles, depending on the difficulty level. The tiles required for each puzzle are depicted on the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Real-time Puzzle Solving: Players simultaneously reveal their puzzle boards and race to find and place the necessary tiles.

Tile Placement: Players must fit the tiles onto their puzzle board as quickly as possible.

Scoring: The first player to complete the puzzle flips a sandtimer and collects gems from a bag. Subsequent players collect fewer gems based on their completion order.

Game Objective: The player who accumulates the most gems after seven rounds wins.

Player Experience

Ubongo Junior is a fast-paced and addictive game that challenges young players to think quickly and solve puzzles under time pressure. The game is easy to learn but requires strategic thinking and quick reflexes. It is an excellent way to develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for children as young as 5 years old.

High Replayability: With multiple puzzle boards and varying difficulty levels, the game remains engaging over multiple plays.

Quality Components: The tiles and puzzle boards are well-made and durable.

Develops Problem-Solving Skills: Encourages critical thinking and quick decision-making.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, which might be restrictive for larger groups.

Time Pressure: Some younger players might find the time limit stressful.

Personal Thoughts on Ubongo Junior

Ubongo Junior is an excellent choice for families with young children or for educational settings looking to enhance problem-solving skills. It’s a great introduction to real-time puzzle games and can be a fun and challenging experience for both kids and adults. The game’s simplicity and engagement make it an ideal addition to any family game collection.

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