Jungle Speed (1997) Board Game

Jungle Speed is a fast-paced card game that was first released in in 1997. It was designed by Thomas Vuarchex and Pierrick Yakovenko and is published by Asmodee. The game has become popular for its action-packed gameplay and challenging mechanics, making it a hit among party gamers and fans of dexterity games.

Game Components of Jungle Speed

Cards: A deck of 80 cards featuring various colorful patterns and symbols.

Totem: A wooden or rubber cylinder placed in the center of the table, which players must grab during the game.

Special Cards: Includes Fast Grab, All Flip, and Color Match cards that add additional challenges and excitement.

Red Pouch: All components fit neatly into a red pouch for easy storage.

How To Setup Jungle Speed

To set up the game, shuffle the deck of cards and distribute them equally among the players. Any leftover cards are placed under the Totem in the center of the table. Each player forms a face-down deck and a discard pile. The Totem is positioned equidistant from all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Pattern Recognition: Players must quickly identify matching symbols on the cards.

Dexterity: Fast reflexes are crucial to grabbing the Totem before other players.

Special Cards: Fast Grab, All Flip, and Color Match cards introduce additional challenges.

Game Objective

The objective is to be the first player to get rid of all their cards.

Players take turns flipping over cards from their deck, forming a discard pile.

When a match is identified, players rush to grab the Totem; the first to grab it wins the duel and passes their discard pile to the loser.

Special cards can trigger all players to grab the Totem (Fast Grab), reveal multiple cards simultaneously (All Flip), or switch the focus to matching colors (Color Match).

Player Experience

**Jungle Speed** is known for its chaotic and hilarious gameplay. Players start casually flipping cards but quickly become intense and focused as the game progresses. The game encourages quick thinking, fast reflexes, and a bit of luck. It is not uncommon for players to get overly competitive, leading to energetic and sometimes physical confrontations over the Totem.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to players of all ages.

High Replayability: The game remains fun and engaging over multiple playthroughs.

Social Interaction: Encourages loud, laughter-filled interactions among players.

Quick Games: Games typically last around 15 minutes, making it perfect for parties or family game nights.

Cons

Physicality: The game can get brutal, especially with competitive players.

Card Loss: There is a risk of losing cards during the game.

Not for the Faint of Heart: It may not be suitable for players who dislike speed or quasi-dexterity games.

Personal Thoughts on Jungle Speed

**Jungle Speed** is a perfect addition to any game collection for those who enjoy fast-paced, social games. It is ideal for parties, family game nights, or any gathering where quick thinking and fast reflexes are valued. While it may not be a strategy game, it excels in providing an entertaining and engaging experience that appeals to both children and adults. Just ensure to stretch before playing, as things can get quite intense

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