Back

Pandemic: Hot Zone – North America

A shorter, more portable Pandemic: cure three diseases across North America before outbreaks spiral.

Pandemic: Hot Zone – North America (2020) is the shorter, more portable cousin of the best-selling cooperative game Pandemic. Disease threatens the continent, and you are a team racing to discover cures for three deadly diseases before they overrun the cities. On your turn you spend action points to travel between North American cities, treat local populations, prevent outbreaks and share research with your teammates. Everyone has a special role with its own powers. It is not a miniature Pandemic but a streamlined restart with fewer diseases and a smaller map. Two to four players, about thirty minutes, and you win or lose together.

Three diseases to cureSpecial roles with their own powersCompact map of North America

Who it's for

You like cooperative planning against the game and want a shorter, travel-friendly take on Pandemic.

Not for you if…

You want the full sprawling world map of the original or dislike alpha-player table dynamics. This one is smaller by design.

Vibe's take

Tense and quick. You plan your actions together, then watch the draw pile bring new trouble, so every turn is a small emergency with a team plan.

#2,127 on BGG

of over 30,000 ranked board games

Published 2020 · 6 years ago

newer than 59% of games

In 10,008 collections

collected more than 79% of games

2–4 players · ages 8+

Best with 2

about 30 min

shorter than 69% of games · typical 30–90 min

Complexity: medium

One warm-up round · 1.9 out of 5 · lighter than 60%

Opinions: broad agreement

Most people rate it similarly

Language: little text

A few terms, easy to look up

Play style: cooperative

Theme & categories