Viva Topo! (2002) Board Game

Viva Topo! is a children’s board game designed by Manfred Ludwig and published by Selecta Spielzeug in in 2002. The game features cute mouse figures and a colorful game board, making it appealing to younger players. The game has simple mechanics, making it easy to learn and play for children as young as 4 years old.

Game Components of Viva Topo!

1 game board

1 cat

18 mice in four colors

20 pieces of cheese

1 die with sides marked 1/1/2/3/4/5

Instructions

How To Setup Viva Topo!

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a set of mice in one color and places them at the starting point on the board. The cat is positioned at its designated starting space. The cheese pieces are placed at their respective goal spaces on the board. Each player receives a set of mice, and the die is ready for use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Movement: Players roll the die to determine how many spaces they can move their mice.

Cat Movement: Rolling a “1” on the die also moves the cat, initially one space but increasing to two spaces after the cat completes one full lap around the track.

Goal: The objective is to move your mice to various goals on the board, each worth a different amount of cheese (points).

Risk and Reward: Players must balance the risk of moving further to gain more cheese with the danger of being caught by the cat, which removes mice from the game.

Safe Havens: Players can opt to end their journey at a friend’s home, which offers less cheese but is safer from the cat.

Player Experience

**Viva Topo** offers a fun and tense experience, especially for families and young children. The game is easy to learn and plays quickly, lasting between 20-30 minutes. The dice rolling mechanism introduces an element of luck, while the cat’s increasing speed adds a thrilling element of risk and urgency.

Pros

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

Quick Gameplay: Games are short and engaging.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for children as young as 4 years old.

Exciting Mechanics: The cat’s increasing speed adds tension and excitement.

Award-Winning: Won the Kinderspiel des Jahres 2003 award.

Cons

Luck-Based: The game heavily relies on dice rolls, which can be frustrating for some players.

Limited Strategy: The game is more about luck and quick decisions rather than deep strategy.

Simple Components: Some players might find the components and gameplay too basic.

Personal Thoughts on Viva Topo!

**Viva Topo** is an excellent choice for families with young children or for anyone looking for a light, fun game that is easy to pick up and play. It teaches basic game mechanics and introduces the concept of risk and reward in a safe and enjoyable environment. While it may not offer the depth and complexity that some adult gamers might seek, it is a great addition to any family game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.