Pentago XL (2005)

About this game

A four-player version of Pentago. Now in color, instead of just black and white. An abstract strategy game with nine 3×3 grids arranged into a larger 9x9 board. Players alternate placing marbles on the board. Each player has a color of marbles, and the game is set-up to allow team-play. The first player or team to get five in a row on the entire 9x9 grid wins, but there is a twist: Every time a player places a marble they also turn any one of the game’s eight outer boards 90° in either direction. The ever-changing game board makes the game all the more challenging. Re-implements: Pentago Re-implemented by: Multiplayer Pentago

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 4.
• Rules load. At 1.8/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.