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Early morning at the Tsukiji market. The two best cooks of Tokyo are contesting the freshest fish. As new fish are unloaded from ships, each of them wants to have the first pick ... with the minimum offer.
Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo's fish market with Tsukiji Market, a strategic duel in which two chefs compete for the freshest ingredients. This game combines bluff, speed and anticipation, inspired by the frenetic atmosphere of Tsukiji.
You'll need to constantly evaluate your bets, as wagering significantly more than your opponent will dramatically increase your opponent's chances of stealing a fish: The "price" for a card is determined by the weight on a scale, which shifts towards the player who lost the bet. If the weight reaches the end of the scale, the player on that side can steal a card from their opponent!
You'll also be able to use the special effects of various fish cards to turn the tide of the game!
At the end of the game, you'll score points based on each of your different color piles of fish cards, the wasabi symbols on your cards, and the position of the weight in your direction.
Designed by Emanuele Briano, Tsukiji Market features stunning illustrations by Samuel Bouvant. The game is part of Matagot's microgames line (wallet-sized games), which includes 6 Suspects, Le Roy des Ribauds, Coucou la Girafe, and Room 25: Double Rush, among other titles
—description from the publisher
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- bluffing — Another bluffing style game.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Praetor was going for really cheap. This is like an old-school Euro that again, I never got a chance to play. Kind of from my era of of Euro gaming.
- This was one that has always evaded me, but I remember Rado raving about it many, many years ago.
- Wispwood, which is one of those kind of puzzly um, you know, pattern building style games with different things going on.
- And um, to be honest, I've got so many games here to play and to talk about that um, I'm going to be tied up for quite some time.
References (from this video)
- compact wallet-sized package with substantial variety
- dynamic bidding and back-and-forth interaction
- clever use of dicey double scoring with wasabi
- beautiful thematic look and engaging table presence
- rules can be fiddly and require careful reading
- the endgame can feel abrupt or overly punishing in some runs
- some players may find the bid mechanics a bit punishing if misread
- bid and manage fish resources with a playful economy
- frenetic market stall scene with fish and colored piles
- quirky, kinetic market banter with simultaneous bidding
- Calico
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Auction / Bidding — Two players bid to push a scale and choose between two card options each round, with the bid reflecting risk and read of opponent intent.
- deck variability and card abilities — Each game uses a randomized deck reveal to keep options unpredictably varied.
- End Game Bonuses — Certain cards carry knife symbols that can end the game immediately if enough knives are in front of a player.
- endgame and knives — Certain cards carry knife symbols that can end the game immediately if enough knives are in front of a player.
- Set Collection — Fish of different colors are collected and scored, with special conditions doubling points when two wasabi symbols appear in a color.
- set collection and color scoring — Fish of different colors are collected and scored, with special conditions doubling points when two wasabi symbols appear in a color.
- simultaneous bidding — Two players bid to push a scale and choose between two card options each round, with the bid reflecting risk and read of opponent intent.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The theme and the look of the game are still fantastic. It is charming. It's funny.
- I like the attrition game you're playing in this one. That sort of feeling of sudden death.
- This is a winner. This is a fantastic little addition of a really neat and distinct game.
- Sukiji Market gets a seven out of 10.
- I find a lot of character in this little game.
- If you enjoy the idea of putting on a play, the idea of the Greek tragedies, if you like this look, then this is one I think you're going to have a lot of fun with.
- This is getting an eight out of 10 for me.
References (from this video)
- fun simultaneous reveal
- push and pull mechanism
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It is an excellent production. It is everything you've come to maybe know and love about Neuroshima Hex.
- Outstanding, man. I love this trick-T game that also includes set collection.
- Disappointing. This is basically Forbidden Island, the card game with too few spaces and a little too much swinginess.