Mouse Match (2007) Board Game

Mouse Match is a children’s memory game released in 2007 by designer Jacques Zeimet and published by Competo / Marektoy. With charming artwork by Lena Kappler, Johann Rüttinger, and Rolf Vogt, this game is perfect for younger players to develop their memory and matching skills.

Game Components of Mouse Match

Board: A carousel-style board with 6 holes.

Mice: 7 nimble mice that move through the tunnels.

Cheese: Color-coded cheese pieces that players aim to collect.

Fabric Bag: For drawing cheese pieces randomly.

How To Setup Mouse Match

To set up Mouse Match, place the board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a starting position. The cheese pieces are placed in the fabric bag, and each mouse is positioned in one of the six tunnels on the board. Players are ready to start once the mice are hidden and the cheese is bagged.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Memory and Matching: Players try to remember which mouse is hiding in which tunnel.

Random Draw: Players draw a cheese piece from the bag to determine the target color.

Mouse Movement: Players push a mouse into the back of one tunnel, and another mouse emerges from a different tunnel.

Objective: Match the emerging mouse with the color of the drawn cheese to collect the cheese piece.

Player Experience

Mouse Match is an immediately playable game that is perfect for young children, with a playtime of about 15 minutes. It is designed for 2 to 6 players and is suitable for children aged 4 and above. The game is simple to understand but challenging enough to keep kids engaged and excited about matching the mice with the cheese. The carousel mechanism and the surprise of which mouse emerges add an element of fun and unpredictability.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to young children.

Interactive: Encourages memory and matching skills in a fun way.

Quick Gameplay: Games are short, lasting about 15 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide age range, making it a great family game.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May not be challenging enough for older children or adults.

Luck-Dependent: The outcome is heavily dependent on random draws and mouse movements.

Personal Thoughts on Mouse Match

Mouse Match is ideal for families with young children looking for a fun and educational game. It’s nominated for several awards, including the Kinderspiel des Jahres 2008, which speaks to its quality and appeal to its target audience. While it may not offer the complexity that older players might seek, it is a great way to introduce children to board games and develop their memory and matching skills in an entertaining manner.

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