The Nacho Incident (2005) Board Game

The Nacho Incident is a card game released in 2005, designed by Scott Starkey and illustrated by Eight Foot Llama. It falls under the category of spies/secret agents and incorporates mechanics such as hand management, pick-up and deliver, and simultaneous action selection.

Game Components of The Nacho Incident

Game board

Player tokens

Food cards (representing various Mexican dishes)

Cantina cards

Mountie tokens (representing Canadian police)

Money and resource tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup The Nacho Incident

To set up the game, players first place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a token and places it on the starting position on the board. The food, cantina, and Mountie cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player is given a starting amount of money and resources. The objective is clearly explained in the rulebook, which guides players through the initial setup and preparation.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Resource Management: Players must manage their resources effectively to smuggle food.

Area Control: Controlling cantinas and smuggling routes is crucial.

Avoidance: Players need to evade Mounties to avoid penalties.

Game Objective

The goal is to make the most money by successfully smuggling forbidden Mexican food into Canada and supporting the best illegal cantinas.

Player Experience

The Nacho Incident offers a unique blend of strategy and humor. Players must balance the risk of getting caught by the Mounties with the reward of running a successful smuggling operation. The game requires strategic thinking and a bit of luck, making it engaging and entertaining.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game’s theme of smuggling Mexican food into Canada is quirky and fun.

Strategic Depth: It offers a good balance of resource management and risk-taking.

Social Interaction: Players interact frequently, either by competing for resources or avoiding the same Mounties.

Cons

Rule Complexity: The game has a moderate to high complexity level, which might be daunting for new players.

Luck Factor: The randomness of the cards and Mountie movements can sometimes feel unfair.

Theme Sensitivity: Some players might find the theme of smuggling and evading law enforcement to be off-putting.

Personal Thoughts on The Nacho Incident

The Nacho Incident is ideal for players who enjoy a mix of strategy and light-hearted humor. It is suited for those familiar with more complex board games and who appreciate unique themes. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a simple, easy-to-learn game or those sensitive to themes involving illegal activities.

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