Game Info
Year
2023
Collection
Ratings
Creator Score
Expansions & Family
Mechanic profile
Not enough video data yet
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description
In Nekojima, “The Island of Cats” in Japan, an electricity network is developing to supply the various lively districts of the island. The installation of electric poles becomes more complex due to the narrowness of the territory and its curious population of cats strolling on the cables.
Nekojima is a wooden game of skill and dexterity in which you have to keep an entire installation in balance. Players take turns placing or stacking denchuu — 電柱, or electrical poles — respecting the locations without any hanging cables touching. Be careful not to be the one to bring down the structure. This game requires reflection, concentration and skill.
In competitive mode, the player who knocks down the structure loses.
In cooperative mode, the goal is to go as far as possible.
AWARDS:
2023 - SWISS Gamers Award Family
2023 - Major Fun Award
2022 - 1st prize Alchimie in Toulouse
2022 - 1st prize Pari Ludique in Paris
2022 - Special Jury Prize at the FLIP in Parthenay
—description from the publisher
Nekojima Family
(2 games)
This page includes videos and mentions from the whole Nekojima family. Drill into a specific game below.
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 17
This page: 17
Sentiment:
pos 15 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–17 of 17
Video c7uxD21Zbfo
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Review at 1:01:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 93440 · mention_pk 317748
Click to watch at 1:01:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fun and clever dexterity game.
- Great for young kids and families.
- Good production quality.
- Quick playtime.
- Can be played competitively or cooperatively.
Cons
- The 'why cats' theme is a bit nonsensical.
- Competitive mode can be mean, with opponents dictating difficult placements.
- Not suitable for older individuals with dexterity issues.
Thematic elements
- Building an electricity network while avoiding cord contact.
- Island of cats
Comparison games
- Jenga
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Bag building (limited) — Drawing colored cubes from a bag determines which power pole to use.
- Competitive/Cooperative play — Can be played competitively or cooperatively to achieve certain levels.
- dexterity — Players physically place components (power poles with cords) without touching the cords.
- Dice Rolling — Dice determine the colors/segments for placing poles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We're in the the stage of our life to where it's like it's kind of really got to be really unique and something that's like whoa I just haven't done that before to kind of like Get room on our Shelf to replace something else
- I would never want that to change but I do miss that kind of closeness that we used to have but I've noticed recently in the wall Wally world that the game session has been moved to the back shelf
- that was one of the most vile things I've ever tasted
- if you're not in the Golden Age then it's kind of like who cares what does it matter you know you're in the declining years and I don't think we're there yet
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Cwrlr5C-QqI
Brains On Games Analysis at 0:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86977 · mention_pk 353602
Click to watch at 0:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast setup and easy to learn
- High-quality components
- Fun table presence and social interaction
- Multiple play modes (cooperative and competitive)
Cons
- Limited depth for hardcore gamers
- Not as strategically heavy as some other games
- Gray color palette on some components
Thematic elements
- urban infrastructure networks
- tabletop casual family game session
- abstract
Comparison games
- Jenga
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cat tokens (black cubes) — Drawing black cubes forces placing cats on the wires; affects others' placement.
- cooperative/competitive variants — Rules support both cooperative and competitive play modes.
- Dice Placement — On each turn you roll two dice to determine which dentu (color-coded poles) you may place.
- Dice-driven placement — On each turn you roll two dice to determine which dentu (color-coded poles) you may place.
- difficulty tracking — A score chart tracks the game's difficulty level via cube placement.
- tower building / balancing — Place dentu on the board to build a tower and balance it; avoid knocking it down.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- super fast setup
- this is a stacking and balancing game
- the components are great they're high quality components
- this little score sheet with the cubes is an elegant way of tracking your difficulty level
- Nikima was my favorite of the two
- I love dexterity games
- I did in fact really quite enjoy this game
- the resource management the planning and strategy is so different from other dexterity games
- Tokyo Highway certainly wins out in terms of the replayability factor
- the focus here is on cars and missions rather than dexterity
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video RekpLh9tKGE
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Top 15 List at 27:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86076 · mention_pk 221971
Click to watch at 27:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast, quick rounds with tight decisions
- Versatile: supports solo practice and duo play
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Array
- Cat island on Nekojima
- Competitive and cooperative play modes
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative & competitive modes — A cooperative mode balances poles while a competitive mode adds opposing goals.
- Pole / power-line balancing — Players place dice/poles with different lengths to balance cat statues on a network of lines.
- Stacking and Balancing — Players place dice/poles with different lengths to balance cat statues on a network of lines.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I really like this whole cooperative nature of, okay, where can I place dice so that hopefully next time you can do some stuff.
- 62nd City is the way to go if you like to be a little stressed out, but yet have fun while you're being stressed out.
- This stresses me out, too. I don't know why I'm recommending games that stress me out.
- Five Minute Dungeon is a lot of fun. It was really crazy because we're throwing the cards down and clearing stuff out.
- There you have it. There are 15 cooperative game suggestions.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video o-SMz66PoD0
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Top 10 List at 35:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85821 · mention_pk 220696
Click to watch at 35:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cute theme and playful balance act
- cooperative interplay (at times) with competitive feel
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- cat-hero balancing and power-line placement
- island cat-themed balancing dexterity
- quirky, thematic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dexterity balance and placement — rolls determine zones and pole placement; stack to build height while avoiding danger to cats.
- Stacking and Balancing — rolls determine zones and pole placement; stack to build height while avoiding danger to cats.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a flip and write game where you are creating a castle.
- I really like this game. I think this is a really good followup because cover your assets.
- Patchwork Doodle is kind of like a followup to the original Patchwork.
- The creatures are adorable.
- I like the colors. They're pretty. They're really nice.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sYrZ24-ZvPQ
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Top 10 List at 54:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85313 · mention_pk 218347
Click to watch at 54:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Challenging dexterity puzzle
- fun cooperative and competitive modes
Cons
- Dexterity-focused games may be tough for some players
Thematic elements
- infrastructure, balancing cables and cats
- islands in Japan with an electricity network
- dexterity and spatial puzzle
Comparison games
- JengA
- Crazy Tower
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cat_and_pole_timing — cats riding wires with constraints to avoid penalties.
- spatial_stack_and_balance — placing poles and wires without causing breakdowns.
- Stacking and Balancing — placing poles and wires without causing breakdowns.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a really really good flip and right game
- Blob Party is just a phenomenal very underrated party game
- I really like this game. It's a really fun one
- it's just a silly little game
- I highly recommend this one for 2023
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Olk4tlRJLkU
Board Game Buzzz Top 100 List at 30:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83539 · mention_pk 210685
Click to watch at 30:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- city-building with dice placement
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I didn't want to bother you. It's not a bother.
- It's so good.
- It's so cute.
- You can't help but scream.
- This is River of Gold.
- It's such a cute little game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Y3cnTRWrKnw
Top List at 5:51 sentiment: positive
video_pk 79601 · mention_pk 193094
Click to watch at 5:51 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Dexterity-based
- More agency than Jenga
- Quick and fast
- Approachable
Cons
- Can be tricky
- Everything can collapse
Thematic elements
- Installing electrical posts on an island with cats
- Island of Nekojima, an island full of cats
Comparison games
- Jenga
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Bag Building — After you roll your dice and you know where you need to install, there's also three different colored electrical posts... you're going to grab a cube from a bag, and that's going to determine which colored post you're going to install.
- dexterity — Nekojima is a dexterity game. Think of Nekojima as Jenga, but so much better.
- Dice Rolling — On your turn, you'll roll two dice.
- Stacking — Eventually, you're going to run out of space. So, you may have to stack these posts on previously installed posts, and it's just going to be stacking up.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Most top 10's list miss one important thing. The best game for a date night isn't the best game for a competitive rivalry.
- And the best game to throw into your suitcase isn't always the game that you want for an all-day gaming marathon.
- Whether you're playing with your spouse, best friend, a new gamer, or someone who takes winning way too seriously, I got you covered.
- So, if you're looking for a simple card game that you can take with you wherever you go, check out Lost Cities.
- Sometimes, you don't want to be nice. You want to be mean. You want to be competitive. You want to have a direct conflict against your opponent.
- But the truth is, not everyone just wants to play a board game. Some people really want to play a board game. That is something epic, something grand, and one that isn't just going to be played in 30 minutes. It's going to be one that's going to play in hours. You want to make an evening of it.
- Just cuz you're playing two players doesn't mean it can't be epic.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VBsHntJ5xbs
Discussion at 27:27 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 79417 · mention_pk 192828
Click to watch at 27:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Interesting concept
- Can be a fun dexterity challenge
Cons
- Can be too difficult for some
- Risk of accidentally knocking over the structure
- Can feel physically uncomfortable
- The theme can feel a bit strange
Thematic elements
- Maintain balance
- Cat island
Comparison games
- Jenga
- Twister
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Players place poles in designated regions on the board.
- dexterity — Players place poles on a board, trying not to disturb the structure.
- Dice Rolling — Dice rolls determine which regions players can place poles in.
- Set Collection — Players try to collect poles of specific colors to place on the board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think if there was a ranking of signs that Jews aren't welcome somewhere, number one, swastika. Number two, burning cross. Number three, regular cross. Four, motocross. Five, mechanical bull.
- Famous last words.
- My legal name is Allison.
- Busting makes me feel good.
- This game sucks.
- First of all I'm a white man in America straight white man. So right there pretty much won the lottery.
- I HATE THIS GAME.
- I ACTUALLY LIKE IT.
- That was crazy.
- This one got pretty crazy pretty quickly. And it this, you know, the thing I like about Nakajima is it like you think, oh, this is a two two, you know, it's going to be too difficult and it really quickly it's like, wow, this is this is tougher than it looks.
- Nakajima seems like somebody was on drugs when they thought of the game, you know, with the ropes and the pegs.
- I'm amazed by the people who invent these games.
- WHAT IF THEY WERE ELECTRICAL WIRES? AND WE'VE GOT PEGS.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5379byook6E
Banter and Boards Top List at 4:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 41932 · mention_pk 127164
Click to watch at 4:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Better version of Jenga with more player agency
- Cheerful theme with tense, exciting moments
- Simple setup and quick to teach
Cons
- Duet of luck and planning can feel swingy
- The cat theme may be punny rather than thematic for some players
Thematic elements
- Cats managing an electric network
- Islands with cats
Comparison games
- Jenga
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dexterity / spatial balancing — Players install posts and balance components to avoid tipping.
- Dice Placement — Dice rolls determine which district or post a player can place.
- Dice-driven placement — Dice rolls determine which district or post a player can place.
- Resource / post management — Choosing colors and sizes of posts to maximize stability.
- Resource Management — Choosing colors and sizes of posts to maximize stability.
- Stacking and Balancing — Players install posts and balance components to avoid tipping.
- Tensile tension / cat tokens — Black cubes add tension via cat tokens that can destabilize structures.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a great game to just learn and start playing very quickly and get a lot of replay-ability with this one.
- I believe this is just a much better version of Jenga. No offense to Jenga.
- The funnest part of this whole game is just seeing how the race ends up.
- Magical Athlete is a wild ride.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Uc4-T8S5Cvc
Banter and Boards Top 10 List at 0:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 41422 · mention_pk 211542
Click to watch at 0:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- engaging dexterity play
- accessible and approachable
Cons
- dexterity games can be unstable for some groups
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dexterity — Physical skill-based play (dexterity-based challenges).
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The Gang is a cooperative poker game.
- Magical Athlete is a racing game.
- Neojima is a dexterity game.
- In Hot Streak, you are betting on these wacky mascots racing across the track.
- Duck and Cover is a goofy little card game where you're trying to cover as many cards as you can to score the least amount of points.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8Oeqy9jZQPo
Banter and Boards Top List at 0:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 34277 · mention_pk 151238
Click to watch at 0:11 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Ties to familiar Jenga-style tension with a better twist
- Accessible dexterity-driven gameplay
Cons
- Limited thematic depth due to dexterity focus
- May favor steady hands over strategy in some sessions
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Jenga
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- abstract_theme — Block-stacking with minimal thematic backdrop to emphasize dexterity and balance.
- dexterity — Physical skill with block manipulation that affects tower stability and tension.
- Stacking and Balancing — Physical skill with block manipulation that affects tower stability and tension.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- These are my top 10 Udemy board games
- for number ten, I have Bus, a wacky but mean worker placement game.
- For number nine, I have Scythe, an engine building game.
- For number eight, I have Necoima, a much better version of Jenga.
- For number seven, I have Tea Garden, a hand management game with beautiful artwork.
- For number six, I have Mountain Goats, a push your luck racing game.
- For number five, I have Rebel Princess, a trick-T game with asymmetric abilities.
- For number four, I have Andromeda's Edge, a worker placement game, but with a lot of things going on, but it's so much fun.
- For number three, I have Wingspan. You guys know what this is at this point.
- For number two, I have Distilled, where you're making whiskey in this game.
- for number one, I have STI, where you're trying to find extraterrestrial life.
- And this game is beautiful.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video A6URvrxJDG0
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 10:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11641 · mention_pk 89213
Click to watch at 10:58 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging dexterity that still feels strategic
- Accessible to families while offering a puzzle challenge
Cons
- Dexterity can be chaotic for first-timers
- Component fragility requires care
Thematic elements
- Cats on telephone poles; dexterity meets strategy
- Cat-centric dexterity/strategy hybrid
- Light-hearted with puzzle-like tension
Comparison games
- Dwellings of Elderval
- Déniro's cat-themed dexterity titles
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area_control_and_tov — Strategic placement competing for control on a circular board.
- dexterity_and_tumble_components — Players manipulate pieces with careful placement under tension.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- there are hundreds and hundreds of board games he has set up, alphabetically the way they were organized was unbelievable
- The Gamers Ranch... Bland, Missouri... you ain't got to bring a game, there are hundreds of games here
- Inventions... the board is laid out in such a way that it's one of those I'm not even trying to explain what it is
- Terminus... the heaviest game that Vital has asked to play, and it's going to come out on Kickstarter in June
- karaoke night... a lot of show tunes... it was amazing
- shrimp and grits was amazing, but the texture was surprising; grits look gross but taste good
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video A6URvrxJDG0
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 10:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11641 · mention_pk 89215
Click to watch at 10:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Unique hybrid of dexterity with strategy
- Great party-game feel with a twist
Cons
- Complex to explain in a casual setting
- Requires careful setup and handling
Thematic elements
- Clever stacking and dexterity constraints
- Cat-themed island/board with tension and stacking decisions
- Humorous and competitive
Comparison games
- Kanban
- Gallerist
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- team-based_dowels_and_rings — Two teams contribute pieces to a shared structure while avoiding failure.
- tension_and_stack_handling — Players place dowels and manage cords to keep structures standing.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- there are hundreds and hundreds of board games he has set up, alphabetically the way they were organized was unbelievable
- The Gamers Ranch... Bland, Missouri... you ain't got to bring a game, there are hundreds of games here
- Inventions... the board is laid out in such a way that it's one of those I'm not even trying to explain what it is
- Terminus... the heaviest game that Vital has asked to play, and it's going to come out on Kickstarter in June
- karaoke night... a lot of show tunes... it was amazing
- shrimp and grits was amazing, but the texture was surprising; grits look gross but taste good
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video D4baL6Jiu7Y
Foster the Meeple Discussion at 26:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9943 · mention_pk 103325
Click to watch at 26:05 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cute art
- engaging for groups
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- quirky, tactile play
- dexterity game with cats on wires
- light and fun
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dexterity — physical maneuvering of components to score
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Gen Con is verying it's own beast beast at this point
- it's bananas of people running into the Hall
- don't be scared please don't be scared
- we love play sessions with our community and friends
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Gw0DgwpayFA
BoardGameGeek Top List at 7:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9805 · mention_pk 96199
Click to watch at 7:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Challenging balance puzzle for adults
- Good for mixed-age groups
Cons
- Can be too challenging for younger players
- Rules and setup can be fiddly
Thematic elements
- balance/dexterity with vertical assembly
- tower-building with wires/“power lines”
- engineering-challenge vibe, Jenga-like tension
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dexterity with dowels/wires — placing dowels with strings without touching other wires
- stacking with variable lengths — dowels of different lengths affect placement and stability
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Dexterity games are just silly fun.
- Croconol is one of the greatest games ever made. It's the greatest dexterity game ever made.
- I defy anyone to not enjoy themselves playing this game.
- Clask is just more fun than it has any right to be.
- It's insane. I love flip ships.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cLMjzQTtwKk
Foster the Meeple Top List at 13:38 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9251 · mention_pk 123135
Click to watch at 13:38 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- beautiful production
- fun, puzzly, and highly replayable
- multiple players can enjoy the dexterity challenge
Cons
- fragile in a sense; easy to knock down structures
- may be too fiddly for casual players
Thematic elements
- cats and cables; playful scientific trope
- dexterity party game about balance of power poles, lines, and cats
- lighthearted, puzzle-driven dexterity
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- color-dice selection — dice determine color choices for placement; interaction with pole heights and placements
- dexterity / balance tower — place wooden poles and connect lines without crossing; cats may be added to affect tension
- tap-out play with tension — game visually rewards careful, precise placement; knocking down elements is common but part of the fun
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this game was made for me it's like playing out lord of rings
- it's massive
- easy to learn hard to master
- it's like three little mini gamess within a game
- I freaking loved it
- it's a heavier game but everything makes sense
- I knocked it down every single time but I don't even care
- open Adventure game with no ending you can just play it infinitely expor you're exploring the world
- look no further it's the perfect combination
- I love dexterity games like they're just puzzly in like a fun way
- it's a straight up push your luck game with a Walking Dead theme
- I freaking love it
- it's a perfect travel game
- it's so so so good
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video OT_iCHk4zBs
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 0:02 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 8825 · mention_pk 101004
Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- fast-paced dexterity play
- abstract, table-top dexterity ambiance with a focus on quick, physical interaction
- abstract
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dexterity — Players perform manual actions and quick physical tasks to influence the game's state and outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
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