스플렌더: Pokémon (Splendor: Pokémon)

Collect Pokéballs, catch Pokémon and race the others to the strongest team in a Pokémon take on Splendor.

Designer: Marc André
Published by: Korea Boardgames
Editions by: Space Cowboys

This is Splendor with a Pokémon skin, released in 2023. The core loop is the one you may know: on your turn you collect Pokéballs, catch a Pokémon, or reserve one. Collect three different colors or two of the same, then spend them to catch a Pokémon from the table. Each Pokémon you own gives you a permanent Pokéball, so catching gets easier as your collection grows. Reserving a card costs a turn but hands you a Master Ball, which works as any color. It is a race to build the strongest team first, for 2 to 4 players in about 30 minutes. A good fit for fans of the franchise who like a clean, short engine-builder.

Take three different Pokéballs or two of the same colorEach caught Pokémon gives a permanent discountReserve a card and get a Master Ball wild

Who it's for

You like Pokémon and want an easy-to-set-up engine-building race for a pair or a small group.

Not for you if…

You already own Splendor and want something very different. The rules are the same core idea with a new theme.

Vibe's take

Brisk and tight. The first few turns feel slow, then your discounts kick in and each catch becomes a bigger step, while you keep an eye on what the others are about to grab.