Mister Diamond (1993)

About this game

The main element of the game is an octagonal board, in moulded plastic, with 16 fake pawns fixed to it. Then 26 real pawns are placed randomly on the board. The goal of the game is to catch the most real pawns. Each player on turn tries to take a pawn. If it comes free, the player keeps it. It is a memory game, because you have to remember where the fake pawns are if you want to take the real ones. It is also a game of observation and dexterity, because when taking, or trying to take, a pawn, you often touch the neighbouring ones, and make them move or quiver a little bit. [Awards] 1994 Vuoden Perhepeli (Finnish Family Game of the Year)

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 8.
• Rules load. At 1.0/5 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.