Banditos (2012) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Banditos is a board game released in 2012 that is set in Mexico. Designed by James Van Niekerk and featuring artwork by Baksha Games, the game is categorized as an economic game that involves strategic decision-making and resource management. With a runtime of 90 minutes and recommended for players aged 12 and above, Banditos allows 2 to 6 players to engage in a competitive gameplay experience.

Game Components of Banditos

Character cards with unique abilities and weaknesses

Nuevo Pesos cards for robbery targets

An all-purpose deck containing seed money, cars, motorcycles, weapons, “Get out of jail free” cards, and other items

Heat tokens representing police alertness

Fuel gauges and special items

Artwork with a grimy, 1980s Southwest aesthetic

How To Setup Banditos

To set up the game, players first distribute the character cards, each with its own special abilities and weaknesses. The Nuevo Pesos deck and the all-purpose deck are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player chooses a starting character and begins at the home base. The game board, which features various towns along the U.S.-Mexico border, is laid out, and each town is marked with its respective bank.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Pick-Up and Deliver System: Players travel to towns to rob banks and deliver the loot back to their home base.

“Take That” Mechanics: Players can steal resources, cards, and sabotage each other, triggering police heat.

Resource Management: Managing fuel, money, and items to execute robberies and evade police.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most Nuevo Pesos by successfully robbing banks and returning to the home base while managing police heat.

Player Experience

Playing **Banditos** is an engaging and interactive experience, particularly for those who enjoy games with a strong social element. The game is filled with strategic decisions and a healthy dose of luck, making each playthrough unique. Players must balance their illegal activities with the risk of attracting police attention, which can significantly hinder their progress.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s theme of bank robbery in the 1980s Southwest is rich and immersive.

Deep Strategic Choices: Despite its light complexity, the game offers a lot of depth through its various mechanics.

High Interaction: Players frequently interact with each other, adding a social and competitive layer.

Unique Artwork: The grimy, rotoscoped art style enhances the game’s theme.

Cons

Complexity in Volume of Cards: The large number of unique cards can be overwhelming.

Repetitive Mechanics: The core gameplay of robbing banks and returning home can become repetitive if not managed with the right mindset.

Police Heat Mechanic: Managing police heat can sometimes feel like a significant hindrance rather than a challenge.

Personal Thoughts on Banditos

**Banditos** is ideal for players who enjoy Ameritrash games with a strong focus on social interaction and strategic decision-making. It’s perfect for groups who appreciate a game that combines luck, strategy, and a bit of mischief. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking a highly complex or solo experience, **Banditos** offers a unique blend of themes and mechanics that make it a standout in its category. If you enjoy games like “Mafia” or “Carnival Zombie,” you’ll likely find **Banditos** to be a delightful addition to your gaming collection.

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