Ubongo: Solve Puzzles, Win Gems!

Ubongo! is a fast-paced, addictive, and easy-to-learn geometric puzzle game. Players race against the timer and against each other to solve a puzzle of interlocking shapes. The faster you solve the puzzle, the more gems you get. The player with the most valuable gem treasure after nine rounds of solving puzzles wins!

Here’s how it works:

Each player receives a set of 12 polyominos — geometric shapes formed of equal-size squares joined edge to edge in different arrangements.

At the start of each round, each player gets a new puzzle panel. A roll of the die determines which polyominos you must use to perfectly fill in the empty spaces on the puzzle panel.

Any players who complete the puzzle within the time limit yell out “Ubongo!” and grab a gem at random from the bag. The fastest player also gets a blue gem and the second fastest an amber gem. Each gem colour is worth a different amount of points.

After nine rounds, the player with the most valuable gem collection wins.

AWARDS & HONORS

2011 Guldbrikken Best Family Game Nominee
2009 Årets Spel Best Family Game Winner
2008 Juego del Año Finalist
2008 Årets Spill Best Family Game Winner
2008 Årets Spill Best Family Game Nominee
2007 Vuoden Peli Family Game of the Year Winner
2007 Vuoden Peli Family Game of the Year Nominee
2005 Spiel der Spiele Hit für Familien Recommended
2005 Kinderspielexperten “8-to-13-year-olds” Winner
2005 Kinderspielexperten “8-to-13-year-olds” Nominee
2005 Japan Boardgame Prize Best Foreign Game for Beginners
2005 International Gamers Awards – General Strategy; Multi-player Nominee
2003 Årets Spel Best Family Game Winner

Game Genre: Puzzles

No. of players: 1 to 4 players

Suitable for Ages 8 and above

Game Duration: 25 mins

Kids / Family Friendly: Yes

Game Components:

4×12 Tiles

36 Puzzle boards (with 432 different puzzles)

1 Die

1 Hourglass

1 Cloth bag

1 Game round track

58 Gems

How to Play?:

Each player receives one set of 12 tiles. At the beginning of each round, each player also receives a new puzzle board. The task to be completed on each puzzle board is determined by rolling the die; immediately afterward, the hourglass is turned over.

All players simultaneously try to place a predetermined set of tiles on the light-colored placement area of their puzzle boards in such a way that the area is completely covered.

Each player who can complete his or her task before the hourglass runs out shouts “Ubongo!” and takes a gem from the bag – the two fastest players also receive a bonus gem from the game round track.

Game Rule (PDF): Ubongo

Watch How to Play Here: