Mandarin (1991) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mandarin is a board game that was released in 1991 by Mattel, Inc. It is designed for 3-5 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up. The game falls under the categories of Auction/Bidding, Roll/Spin and Move, and Set Collection.

Game Components of Mandarin

Game board

50 fortune cards

120 game tokens

5 player pawns

1 die

How To Setup Mandarin

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the fortune cards and place them face down on the designated space on the board.

Each player chooses a pawn and places it on the starting space.

Each player starts with a certain number of game tokens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns rolling the die and moving their pawns around the board. The objective is to collect sets of fortune cards by landing on specific spaces and using game tokens to bid on them during auctions. The player with the most valuable fortune cards at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

Pros:

Easy to learn and play

Engaging auction mechanics

Suitable for families and casual gamers

Cons:

Limited replay value

Luck plays a significant role in outcomes

Components may feel cheaply made

Personal Thoughts on Mandarin

Mandarin is a decent board game for casual gameplay with friends and family. While it may not offer deep strategic depth, the auction mechanics add an interesting twist to the gameplay. The build quality of the components could be better, but considering the game’s age, it is understandable.

In terms of pricing and availability, Mandarin can be found in the secondary market for reasonable prices. However, there are also newer games with similar mechanics that may offer a more modern and enjoyable experience. Overall, Mandarin is worth a try if you enjoy light-hearted board games, but more serious gamers may find it lacking in complexity.

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