Board games made by Rio Grande Games
Rio Grande Games
Age of NapoleonAge of Napoleon Introduces 2 players to the Napoleonic times an era of military conquests and diplomatic rivalries. One player represents France and its allies, the other the Coalition led by Britain. The game contains two shorter scenarios starting in 1809 and 1813. Events are elegantly integrated by the cards.
AlexandrosAlexander moves with army back and forth across Asia Minor, conquering the land as he passes. To bring peace to these newly conquered lands and to reward his generals, he gives them control of the new lands. The generals establish administration over the lands and levy taxes on the people living there.
Amun ReWe think Amun Re, a great new strategy game set in ancient Egypt, is the best new game of this year. The strategy and depth of the game plus the theme of cultivating the Nile river valley and erecting the pyramids makes this a big hit with gamer groups looking for a serious Eurogame.
ArkGet animals loaded onto the Ark before the Flood, in this adorable game by Frank Nestel, illustrated by Doris Matthäus.
Ark: Extra MixAdd 20 new animals and a rules quick reference card to the excellent "Ark" card game.
AttikaEach player oversees the building of his city-state. Temple, theater and oracle, a harbor with ships, vineyard with vintner, and many more must find space on the islands. Players must move fast to get the best land for themselves while blocking their opponents from good building spots. As building is expensive, players seek to save money by using the natural resources of the islands. Players also seek to organize their building in an order that gives them the best city-state.
BabelMesopotamia was home to many tribes and many golden ag es as each tribe had its season in the sun. During its season, a tribe would start new temples or continue working on temples begun by other tribes. Thus, with the help of various tribes, the temples grew more and more beautiful and eventually reached so high they seemed to touch the sky.
Balloon CupIf you've ever gone hot air ballooning, you know its tranquility and grace. The trickery and excitement of this card game doesn't fit. You'll be lauging and backstabbing your opponent all night with game after game of this addictive little card game.
Bean Trader - The Bohnanza Board GameThe players take the role of bean traders and are all members of the famous Bohn Hanse, a trade union of cities and merchants in the middle ages. You are driving your wagon, laden with valuable beans, toward Edinburgh, where you hope to deliver an order worth many thalers.
All should be so simple! But the roads through Bremen or Groningen are rutty, the tolls are high, and you still need a red bean to complete the order. With luck, you will make the bean trades you need with your fellow merchants, make the delivery, and soon the business will start to run itself. At the end, the player with the most bean thalers is the winner, as always.
BohnanzaA large group of friends can't do better than the Bohnanza card game for a fun, social game. Up to 7 people can play this very interactive card game and laugh the whole time. With a unique game mechanic, it'll also give you a refreshing change from Rummy-style card games.
Bohnanza: Fan EditionThe difference in this version from the original is that all the bean pictures are different and were supplied by fans of the game from around the world.
BohnaparteUnrest in Beanland. Bean princes in all parts of the land are trying to conquer foreign villages and cities. They use the profits from their bean sales to finance their attacks. At the end of the game, bean thalers have no value.
Caesar & CleopatraCaesar and Cleopatra are locked in a struggle to determine the amount of independence Egypt will have. The decision lies in the hands of the powerful patricians. The players, as Caesar and Cleopatra, use their influence and special actions to win patricians to their side.
CarcassonneCarcassonne is our favourite family strategy game. It s fast, easy and a ton of fun for people of all ages. One of the very best German-style tile-laying games, you will love to look at the finished map almost as much as you enjoyed playing the game itself!
Carcassonne Big BoxThis special limited edition has the basic game and river expansion as well as the four major expansions: Inns & Cathedrals, Traders & Builders, Princess & Dragon, and The Tower. Each has its own compartment in the box and the tiles for each expansion...
Carcassonne: Abbey and MayorWith this expansion, the players have new possibilities of strengthening their influence in the area around Carcassonne. Now traveling merchants transport their goods to surrounding cities and monasteries.
Carcassonne: Hunters and GatherersOne of Carcassonne's selling points was the great art work. Hunters and Gatherers is another game (not an expansion!) which takes the classic strategy game into a new world with new art and some new twists on the game that you love. An instant hit with our group, this game will keep the Carcassonne series fresh and exciting for your crew too.
Carcassonne: Inns & CathedralsCarcassonne: Inns and Cathedrals was the first expansion to the classic family strategy game and the larger number and variety of tiles makes this a expansion a must-have for al Carcassonne fans. Especially is you play with a larger group. Take the strategy game that you love to play to the next level!
Carcassonne: Princess & DragonIn this expansion for the prize-winning Carcassonne, we move into the realm of fantasy. The land around Carcassonne is being visited by a dragon, making life very difficult for the followers. Brave heroes venture forth to face the danger, but without the aid of the fairies, their chances are not good.
Carcassonne: River 2There is another river in the Carcassonne region. Like the first river, you can use these 12 tiles to start a Carcassonne game instead of the normal start tile. But, there is more. It can be used with the other river, to make an even longer river to start the game.
Carcassonne: The CastleOne of the very best 2 player games we've played. Reiner Knizia takes the award winning game series and guarantees you a fun and exciting game you can play in less than an hour.
Carcassonne: The CityThe impressive city of Carcassonne was a magnet for tourists from all lands even in the middle ages. Its large markets, grandiose homes, and busy streets made the whole city a popular attraction. Here is your chance to build the city of Carcassonne! Players build walls, build towers, found markets, and place followers in the normal way.
Carcassonne: The CountThis small expansion adds the 12 tiles that represent the actual city of Carcassonne and are the starting tiles for the game. During the game, players who help others score points may place followers in the city and later move them to scoring features outside the city. Yet another new way to play this great game!
Carcassonne: The TowerIn this Carcassonne expansion, players have the opportunity to build upwards! The lords of the region around Carcassonne erect towers to strengthen and promote their power and influence. They employ followers to stand guard on the towers, watching over the land so they can inform their lords of all who travel and move throughout the area.
Carcassonne: Traders and BuildersIt's the 2nd expansion to the Carcassonne strategy game! The maps are bigger, the points are higher, and the fun is just plain funner. Introducing some new peices and some rule changes to more carefully balance the game, Traders and Builders will enhance your game nights at a great price.
CaribbeanCaribbean The board shows the Caribbean in the 18th century. Six pirate ships lie in wait on the sea, ready to pillage the rich ports, or to rob the booty from other ships. The sea is divided into spaces. Each player is in possession of three safe havens, marked in his color on the board. color(s) are treated as normal sea spaces.
Caylus1289. To strengthen the borders of the Kingdom of France, King Philip the Fair decided to have a new castle built. For the time being, Caylus is but a humble village, but soon, workers and craftsmen will be flocking by the cartload, attracted by the great prospects. Around the building site, a city is slowly rising up…
Caylus Magna CartaFor lovers of Caylus and others, a simpler way to play this great game. The basic theme remains unchanged, but the driving force is the play of cards. The game also plays faster for those who like shorter games. And, the game contains a special bonus card in this edition!
Chateau RoquefortWelcome to the craziest Chateau in the gaming world! The three-dimensional adventure takes place on four levels. At the top, the Chateau’s roof blocks the view of the inside. When a player peeks under the roof, he can see the lattice of walls and rooms and send his mice in search of treasure – cheese!
Chicken Cha Cha ChaToday, there is chaos in the chicken yard! Today's practice for the Chicken Cha Cha Olympics is feather stealing. Each chicken cha chas to catch each of their opponents without being caught themself. Their reward for catching another chicken is feathers.
ClansThe game is set in late pre-history, a time of transition - when our distant ancestors, who had struggled and barely survived for ages in very small nomadic groups, began to feel their lives would be more secure and less arduous if they formed larger groups. This led to the formation of the first villages. The players compete to be involved in the most and most valuable villages.
ColorettoColoretto The players draw cards from a card supply in the middle of the table. During the game, the players try to specialize in a few colors, as at the end of the game, a player can score plus points for only 3 colors; the rest score minus points. The more cards a player has of a color, the more points he scores. The player with the most points wins.
DarjeelingAfter the British East India Company established a commercial office near the city now called Darjeeling, it used its influence to tell the world of the flavorful tea found in this region. Find and ship the best teas to achieve victory!
Duckling Dancin'Duckling Dancin' is an expansion for Chicken Cha Cha Cha. You can now play with 5 or 6 and with new rules!
DvonnDvonn's great materials and fast, elegant gameplay will be a big winner with you and your gaming partner. At only 20 minutes a game, you can have rematch after rematch and try to outwit your best friend or worst enemy.
El GrandeIt is a time of awakening. The position of the king is secure, but the high aristocrats, the Grandes, look to expand their influence. Thus, intrigue fills the country! Their primary weapons are the attendants to the king: the Caballeros. Each Grande has his favorites, recruited from the provinces, which he deploys to accumulate the power he so desires.
ElfenlandIn Elfenland, young elves have to pass a very special test before they are accepted as grown-ups. All elf girls and elf boys receive a map of Elfenland, and they have to visit as many famous towns in Elfenland as possible, using the common types of transp ortation: dragons, unicorns, giant pigs, elfcycles, troll wagons, magic clouds, ferries and rafts.
Euphrates & Tigris Card GameIn Mesopotamia: between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, lies the cradle of civilization. Farmers cultivate the land, traders sell their wares, and priests offer the masses their religious support. For kings seek to lead their dynasties to fame and power. Conflicts are unavoidable and only the most clever and successful king will emerge as the winner!
FBIYou are the leader of a team of field agents. Your aim is to collar as many criminals as you can. Your superior and the media spotlight has you in the pressure cooker to perform above and beyond the call of duty. But, of course, no one is perfect... and so, from time to time, innocent bystanders get thrown in the slammer.
Fearsome FloorsIt was fabulous! Fearlessly, you found the 3 fetishes in the Finnish fjord. With light-footed and foxy feints you ferry the fetishes to prince Fieso in France to free the fascinating faerie Fabula. But Fieso is not fond of foreigners, what a...
Felix: the Cat in the SackUsing their mice as bait, the players attempt to grab the famous cat in the sack. Also in the sack are a jumble of both good and bad cats. The players can try to bluff one another by sneaking a dog or rabbit into the sack.
Fifth AvenueBuilding in New York City is booming and everyone wants to get in on the new fad -- buildings that touch the sky: skyscrapers! Players compete to build their skyscrapers in the best locations, but what is a good location? One with shopping -- and the more shopping, the better!
FijiThe south sea, AD 1777! Three years after James Cook visited the islands, the islands are embroiled in a contest for possession of legendary shrunken heads. The players’ only desire is to acquire these “head attractions” for shipment to museums in Europe. Die Although the islanders are very interested in trading their treasures with the European for the glass beads they offer, their traditions require that such exchanges be done during a special KAWA ritual.
Formidable FoesOnce again, our unfortunate friends find themselves foreigners trapped within the frightful Fortress Furor of the fanged Prince Fieso who would, with felicity, see them flounder and faint.
Frank's ZooThe cards in this game feature some very cute animals by Doris Matthaeus. It is a trick-taking game played with changing partners over several hands. In each hand, the players try to be the first to get rid of all of their cards, but there are special cards that can add or subtract from a player's score. Thus, players' scores are based on how early in the hand they get rid of all their cards and what cards they take in tricks
Funny FriendsWhat are your life goals? Are you willing to do what it takes to achieve them? In this game, fate select your goals, and changes them arbitrarily, so that after spending much time and effort to become a rock star, for example, fate decides you must now renounce that life and make the necessary life-style changes to become a, for example, a priest.
GIPFGIPF is a strategic game for two players based on a classic concept: in turns, players introduce one piece into play until achieving four-in-a-row. Players then remove their row and capture any of their opponent's pieces which extend that row.
HaciendaArgentina at the beginning of 19th century. The pastures of the pampas seem to go on forever. You have enough money to buy land and cattle to build a small hacienda.
Halli GalliA large fruit salad with bananas, strawberries, lemons and plums. Each player plays a card changing the mixture in the salad. But when the salad contains exactly 5 of one fruit, the players race to be the first to ring the bell.
HamburgumProsper in Hamburg during the 17th century. Produce goods to sell on your trading ships. Use the revenue to build houses and more ships. Make donations to construct churches to win the game.
Heart of AfricaTwo to five players set out to gain as many victory points as possible. As manager of a colonial trading company, you initially have only limited resources. A bidding structure decides who may conduct each next turn. Although bidding is costly, rewards may be rich...
HellasHellas is a war game a little different than you might be used to. It's close to an abstract strategy game in that the theme is less important than the puzzle behind the peices. In a 45 minute package, you'll get an epic battle for control of ancient Greece. For gamers looking for something different than the huge battle simulations out there..
High Bohn PlusThis Bohnanza expansion contains new game variants and two new bean types, the Cognac bean and the Field bean. With High Bohn, the players may spend their thalers on buildings located in Virginia City. These building have attributes that give the players new tactics for winning. The Plus part of this expansion adds order cards which allow players to earn extra thalers when they can fill very specific orders.
ImperialEurope in the age of imperialism. Internationally operating investors aim for the highest political influence in Europe. By giving credits they gain influence over the six imperial nations Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Italy and...
In the Year of the DragonBecome a prince in ancient China, seeking to maximize the prosperity of your province. Call upon your diverse courtiers for assistance. Manage your province well and withstand hazardous events to gain honor and achieve victory.
JavaThere are almost as many board games as there are gamers. And although you may love a particular game, there's no board game that fits every situation. Perhaps our favourite game of all time is Settlers of Catan, but there are times when even the saintly Settlers isn't quite what we want. The Java board game steps in to pinch hit when we want a bit more serious challenge.
Lord of the Rings : The DuelGandalf encounters the Balrog in the under mountain Caves of Moria. The result is a fantastic duel of their magical powers on a small bridge over a deep chasm. Here, players replay that duel with the help of cards, which have magical symbols on the left and right, representing the strength of the adversaries.
Lost CitiesFor the daring and adventurous, there are too many lost cities to seek and explore. The search can take you to the Himalayas, the Brazilian rain forest, the ever-shifting sands of the desert, ancient volcanoes and to Neptune's Realm. Of course, one cannot go everywhere with limited resources so the players must choose which expeditions to begin and which to leave to others.
MaharajaMaharaja is a clever strategic boardgame for two to five players. During the game the players take different roles and travel from city to city in India. Their architects build palaces and houses for the maharadja. Of course, building a palace is expensive. Therefore it is important to earn enough money in the cities. The first player building seven palaces is the winner.
Mall WorldPlayers compete in the building of Mall World, scheduled to be the largest indoor shopping mall in the world. In the planning of a mall this size, it is important to get the right shops in the right locations and the player best able to do this will win the game!
Mammoth HuntersIt's a cool, windy day in autumn, some time around 30,000 years ago. For several hours now, a group of hunters have been following a herd of mammoths. Will they succeed? Will they actually be able to bring down one of these giant animals? Its meat would last the entire Tribe for several weeks...
MediciYou are buyers for different merchant houses in the competitive, but profitable age of the infamous Medici family. Ships sail throughout the Mediterranean and beyond in search of rare and valuable merchandise and profitable markets for the goods you buy.
Medici vs StrozziThis game re-lives the fierce competition between the two great Florentine families: Medici and Strozzi. The players compete to buy the best goods, load them on their ships, and sail away to sell them for great profits. The mechanism is similar to Medici, but for two players.
MexicaA great strategy and development game takes you to an ancient Aztec city to compete for control with your friends! It doesn't take all night and offers a challenging contest. It's a sure hit!
Mu & Lots Morehe games are called: MÜ, NJET, Was sticht?, and Meinz. Each of these games is a trick-taking game, but each also has a very special way of handling the trick-taking: one may choose his own hand cards, trump is chosen by the players together, or one can win a trick by merely calling it his!
Naval BattlesNaval Battles is a fast and furious game of naval combat in World War II for 2 to 6 players. Each player commands a fleet of World War II ships. His goal is to launch attacks from his ships and sink the ships of the opposing players. The game includes surface vessels and submarines of six different nations – France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States.
NiagaraIn the wild rapids of the Niagara River, fearless canoers battle the water and each other to collect gems along the riverbank. Of course, the most valuable gems are found furthest down-river, close to the waterfall. Yes, there is a waterfall, and careless canoers can fall over the waterfall. Also, players must return collected gems to land in order to be counted.
OregonThe year is 1846. Gunslingers, lawmen, pioneers and whole families left their homes in the East and Midwest to try their luck in the West. They loaded their covered wagons with all they could and headed west across steppes, deserts, and mountains.
Power GridThis is the new and improved (rules and graphics!) Funkenschlag from Friedemann Friese. Players compete to build the best network of power lines and stations, choosing which cities to supply and what sources of power to use.
Power Grid : Benelux and Central EuropeTwo new maps for Power Grid. This is an expansion pack, so you will need the Power Grid game to play with it. As with the original, the board has a different map on each side: Benelux on one side and Central Europe on the other.
Power Grid : France and Italy ExpansionTwo new maps for Power Grid. This is an expansion pack, so you will need the Power Grid game to play with it. As with the original, the board has a different map on each side: France and Italy.
Puerto RicoFinally ready to move up a strategy game with some weight? For those who want a game with real depth to its strategy, many paths to victory and highly interactive game play, Puerto Rico is the strategy game for you!
PUNCTPÜNCT is a connection game: the goal is to link two opposite sites. On your turn, you either bring a new piece into play, or you move a piece that is already on the board. The more pieces you bring into play, the more possibilities you have to make a connection. But… each time you put a new piece on the board, you reveal a bit of what your plan is.
Race for the GalaxyThe players all compete to explore the galaxy by exploring new worlds and developing new technologies. Each turn each player chooses one action, but the others will share in the actions chosen. In the end, the player with the most points is the winner!
Ricochet RobotsFour robots move on the floor of a warehouse. As they have no brakes, they rely on obstacles such as walls and other robots to stop. Once stopped, they can turn left or right and move again.
Ruse & BruiseRuse & Bruise is a game that is easy to learn, but is always changing. Players employ witches, alchemists, assassins, kings, traders, and others to earn good reputations in their fields of endeavor; but the players must protect them from certain...
SamuraiFor centuries, Samurai have represented unfailing courage, imperturbable loyalty and internal harmony. There are three Samurai forces: peasants, clergy and nobility. The way to power leads through these three: peasants, represented by rice fields, clergy, represented by Buddhas and nobility, represented by high helmets.
San GimignanoTaller, bigger, more lavish: when San Giminano's wealthiest families built their Clan Towers, the sky was the limit. By strategically deploying members of the family, the players seek to gain influence in the various guilds and to construct as many towers as possible.
San JuanPuerto Rico’s golden age returns. Through you! Players travel now to the capital city of this beautiful island. Who will build the most important buildings? Players build palaces, poor houses, silver smelters, gold mines, and many others - each with its own special features. The cleverest player will build well and win!
Spirits of NiagaraThe hunt for the gems continues! Malicious whirlpools challenge the skills of the canoeists who want to get a good haul. The only hope for a trapper is to call the kind river spirits Bathing Beaver and Hurried Elk. But canoes with more capacity also encourage pilferers who can now make a lot more profit...
St. PetersburgBaroque palaces, wide boulevards, and elegant bridges: St Petersburg. On May 16, 1703, Czar Peter the Great lays the foundation for the first building. Quickly impressive buildings are erected that are ever more grand and beautiful. Such buildings bring the aristocracy glory and the players victory points.
SubmarinePicture from the oceanic bathyscaphe Neptune XIII seems to prove the existence of an ancient civilization under the sea. Inside a sub-marine canyon this modern technical jewel discovered what is claimed to be vestiges of the mythic civilization of Atlantis.
Taj MahalIn Taj Mahal players use strategy and cunning to win influence over India, province by province and city by city. The winner is the one who establishes the most magnificent palaces and has the most power in the end.
TamskExcitement mounts as the sand runs in the players' sand clock pieces. When the sand runs out, the piece is lost, but if you turn it before it runs out, you add time to it. Tamsk is the second game in the Gipf project from Kris Burm. It is easy to learn, but a challenge to master.
The Princes of FlorenceBecome a medival Italian lord, developing your township into the greatest in the country. If you can manage your buildings, city improvements, economy and attract the artisans and scholars which make a city great, you will be awarded with fame and honour. One of the premiere city development games you will ever play. Enough fun and strategy for hundreds of plays. Do we have to say more?
Thurn and TaxisDo you have the talent to connect the right cities to create an effective network and not lose sight of the need to acquire new carriages when they are needed? Plan your moves carefully and watch your opponents’ moves carefully, so you are prepared to respond to them.
TikalGet lost in the jungle with Tikal, a board game which asks you to explore and excavate an ancient Mayan site. Other players will try to stop you, so rush to recover the ancient treasures and dig out the temples you find.
To Court the KingAs a royal petitioner attending court, the players must parlay their powers of persuasion to gain the support of court officials and sway the King to their cause.
Top Secret SpiesThe Top Secret Spies board game was a revelation to use at Rainy Day Games when we first played it. Everyone is familiar with the strategy board game genre. You try to maximise your position while limiting or destorying your opponents. But what happens to your standard strategy board game when you have no idea which player controls which piece. And which piece you control youself is your most closely guarded secret?
Traders of GenoaThis is a game of trading, wares, and negotiation. The players take the roles of traders in Genoa in the 16th century. They fulfill orders, deliver messages, and take ownership of buildings in the city. Of course, this is not possible without the help of the other traders - thus, the need for clever negotiation. And that can cost money and other valuable goods! The player who earns the most in the game is the winner!
TransAmericaAnother of the fun, light train games, TransAmerica is the number one choice because it's not a card game, it's a standard board game without a lot of the complexity (particularly economic)of other train games. You'll play this game with kids or non-gamers and they'll love the train theme without being overwhelmed.
TransEuropaNow it is time to go railroading in Europa. Just like Transamerica, players work together building a railroad network, but this time it is across Europe instead of the United States.
TriasTrias The Triassic age began 250 million years ago with the greatest global catastrophe ever. 95% of all species were eliminated and those remaining moved quickly to fill the voids on the habitable lands. The remaining species seek to find places for themselves on the newly-forming islands that are forming as the pre-continent Pangea slowly breaks up into the smaller continents of the future.
UtopiaTake on the role of one of the ministers of Utopia in this strategy game for 2 to 5 players. To succeed, you will have to be flexible and find the best ways to accommodate and move the royal princes.
YinshSometimes you will have the impression that there is nothing but chaos on the board. You line up a few of your pieces‹and the next thing you notice is that they have changed color!
ZertzZertz is a fast, dynamic game for 2 players. It is played with marbles on a board that gets smaller and smaller. The aim is to capture a certain number of marbles. To capture you must jump over adjacent marbles as in Checkers.
ZoolorettoEach player uses small, large, wild and exotic animals and their young to try and attract as many visitors as possible to their zoo. But be careful - the zoo must be carefully planned.