Banana Matcho (2012) Board Game

Banana Matcho is a fun and fast-paced board game designed by Lilli Messina and released in in 2012. It is a dice rolling and racing game that can be played by 2-6 players, with a recommended age of 6 and up. The game is published by Gigamic and Zoch Verlag, known for producing high-quality and engaging board games.

Game Components of Banana Matcho

6 fruit dice, each with one face for each of six different fruits

3 monkey dice, each with 5 blank sides and one Monkey side

A squeaky plastic banana

A scoreboard shaped like a tree

8 wooden pieces per player

Optional: promotional bananas (as seen at Essen)

How To Setup Banana Matcho

To set up the game, players start by placing the scoreboard in the middle of the playing area. Each player receives 8 wooden pieces. The fruit dice and monkey dice are distributed accordingly, with the active player getting the 6 fruit dice and the Banana Matcho player getting the 3 monkey dice. The squeaky plastic banana is placed between the two active players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2-6

Game Duration: 20 minutes

Objective: Players compete to reach the top of the tree on the scoreboard by scoring points.

Active Player: Rolls 6 fruit dice to achieve high-scoring fruit combinations.
– Can re-roll any dice as often as desired.
– Ends the round by squeaking the plastic banana to score points.

Banana Matcho Player: Rolls 3 monkey dice to get all three Monkeys side up.
– Re-rolls blank dice until all three dice show Monkeys.
– Ends the round by squeaking the plastic banana if successful before the active player.

Player Experience

Banana Matcho offers a fun and interactive experience, especially for families and children. The game is characterized by its fast-paced and often hilarious gameplay, as players race against each other. The active player aims to score points by rolling fruit combinations, while the Banana Matcho player tries to interrupt by rolling all Monkeys. This dynamic creates an engaging and entertaining atmosphere, making it a great addition to any family game night.

Pros

Engaging and Fast-Paced: Encourages quick thinking and fast rolling.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for children aged 6 and above.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Interactive: Players are actively engaged throughout the game.

Cons

Limited Strategy: The game relies heavily on luck rather than strategy.

Repetitive Mechanics: Rolling dice can become repetitive after several rounds.

Personal Thoughts on Banana Matcho

Banana Matcho is ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a light, enjoyable game that doesn’t require complex strategies. It’s perfect for younger children who can learn basic dice-rolling mechanics while having fun. However, players seeking deeper strategic depth might find the game too simplistic. Overall, it’s a great choice for those who value quick, entertaining gameplay and family interaction.

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.