Sugoroku (550)
Sugoroku
Sugoroku is a Japanese board game that has been popular since the 19th century, if not earlier. The game has two different forms: ban-sugoroku, which is similar to western table games like backgammon, and e-sugoroku, which is similar to snakes and ladders. A simpler version of e-sugoroku, with rules similar to snakes and ladders, appeared as early as the late 13th century and was made popular due to the cheap and elaborate wooden block printing technology of the Edo period. Thousands of variations of boards were made with pictures and themes from religion, politics, actors, and even adult material. In the Meiji and later periods, this variation of the game remained popular and was often included in child-oriented magazines.
Why is Sugoroku Popular?
Sugoroku games were used to promote the ideal Japanese subject in the early 20th century. The variety of themes featured in the games tells us much about trends and interests among the Japanese people at different times in history. Sugoroku games have also been adapted into video games, including Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Chōjikū Sugoroku, Sugoroku Ginga Senki, Battle Hunter, Ganbare Goemon: Mononoke Sugoroku, Culdcept, Dokodemo Hamster 4: Doki Doki Sugoroku Daibouken!, Hello Kitty: Minna de Sugoroku, Gotouchi Hello Kitty Sugoroku Monogatari, Yu-Gi-Oh! Sugoroku’s Board Game, Family Pirate Party, Hidamari Sketch: Doko Demo Sugoroku x 365, and PictureBook Games: Pop-Up Pursuit.
Game Components of Sugoroku
Game boardDiceGame pieces
Game Setup of Sugoroku
Players choose their game pieces and place them on the starting point of the board.Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their game pieces along the board.
Gameplay Mechanics of Sugoroku
Players roll the dice to determine how many spaces they can move their game piece.The game board is divided into spaces that may have different effects on the player’s game piece, such as advancing or retreating spaces, or spaces that require the player to perform a specific action.
Game Objective of Sugoroku
The objective of the game is to be the first player to reach the end of the board.
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