Velonimo

Dump your cards first in a cycling race up five mountains, with animals as riders.

Designer: Bruno Cathala
Published by: Studio Stratosphères
Editions by: Rebel Sp. z o.o., Broadway Toys LTD, Reflexshop, Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd, Geekach LLC, PaperGames (III), MEBO Games, Blackrock Games, Geronimo Games, 25th Century Games, AURUM, Inc., Studio Supernova, Coiledspring Games

Velonimo (2020) turns a mountain stage of the Tour de France into a card game starring animals. You race to get rid of all your cards before anyone else, playing racer cards on their own or in combinations of the same color or the same value. Breakaway specialist cards work alone and speed you ahead of the pack. The game runs five rounds, each one a different summit, and even if you do not win a round you still score, so a bad hand does not wreck the whole evening. If you know climbing-style card games you will feel at home. Short, brisk, with a bit of bluff and bite.

Play single cards or same-color combosBreakaway cards speed you aheadFive rounds, five summits

Who it's for

You like card-shedding and climbing games, and you want something with sporty animal charm for three to five players.

Not for you if…

You want deep strategy or a story. It is quick card-play, and luck of the draw matters.

Vibe's take

Brisk, bluffy and friendly-competitive. You hold back strong plays, burst ahead when it counts and groan at the one card you cannot place.