Dino Dunk (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Dino Dunk is a board game released in 2018, designed by Mariana Moreno and published by Twin City Games. It falls under the categories of Action / Dexterity, Prehistoric, and Sports, making it a unique and engaging game for players to enjoy.

Game Components of Dino Dunk

Teams: Two teams, the Triassic Tropics and the Mesozoic Meteors, each consisting of five dinosaurs.

Score Tokens: Double-sided tokens with scores up to 10 for long games.

Possession Marker: A double-sided marker used with the shot clock.

Ball: A game piece representing the basketball.

Play Area: A board featuring a basketball court.

Shot Clock Token: Used to track time and turnovers.

How To Setup Dino Dunk

To set up Dino Dunk, choose a team to start with the ball and select a dinosaur to begin with. Place this dinosaur along the short edge of the team’s side of the play area, with the ball adjacent to it. Both players then add their remaining dinosaurs to their side of the play area, ensuring they do not cross the midpoint. The board is relatively easy to set up, involving just unfurling it and placing the pieces.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics

Move: Flick a dinosaur to move it around the court.

Pass: Flick the ball to another dinosaur.

Shoot: Attempt to flick the ball into the basket.

Dunk: Flick a dinosaur to dunk the ball into the basket.

Shot Clock: Advance the shot clock token after each turn; if it reaches the opponent’s side, a turnover occurs.

Free Throw: Clear the board, attempt to flick the ball into the basket from the foul line.

Loose Ball: Retrieve a ball not held by any dinosaur.

Layups: Move a dinosaur on the snowy part of the volcano to score 2 points.

Game Objective

The objective is to score more points than the opposing team by shooting, dunking, or performing layups while managing the shot clock to avoid turnovers.

Player Experience

Dino Dunk offers a fun and dynamic experience, translating the excitement of basketball into a tabletop dexterity game. Players appreciate the satisfying feel of making good plays, especially the thrill of dunking. The game is relatively fast-paced, thanks to the shot clock, which adds tension and ensures the game moves at a decent speed.

Pros

Satisfying Plays: Opportunities for incredibly satisfying dunks and other plays.

Easy Setup: Simple and quick to set up.

Tension: The shot clock adds a layer of tension and pace to the game.

Team Play: Supports up to four players, allowing for team-based gameplay.

Cons

Complexity for New Players: May require some time to get used to the mechanics and strategies.

Limited Player Count Flexibility: Best experienced with two players, though it can accommodate up to four.

Personal Thoughts on Dino Dunk

Dino Dunk is perfect for fans of dexterity games and basketball enthusiasts looking for a fun, competitive tabletop experience. It’s ideal for those who enjoy strategic flicking mechanics and the challenge of precise movements. While it’s best with two players, it also offers a unique team-based experience with four players. Overall, Dino Dunk is a solid choice for anyone seeking a lively and engaging game night.

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