You remember the tracksuits. The giant, creepy doll with the motion-sensing eyes. That hauntingly catchy "Red Light, Green Light" song. When Squid Game exploded onto Netflix, it wasn't just a show; it was a cultural fever dream that basically took over the internet for months. Naturally, the merch followed. But translating a high-stakes, deadly survival drama into a tabletop experience is a weird challenge. How do you make a Squid Game board game feel tense without, you know, the actual threat of elimination?
Most people expect these kinds of tie-in games to be cheap cash-ins. You’ve seen them before—low-quality cardboard, rules that don't make sense, and art that’s just blurry screengrabs from the show. However, there are actually a few different versions of this game floating around, primarily the one by Mixlore (published by Asmodee). It tries to capture that "trust nobody" vibe. It’s a social deduction game at its heart, wrapped in the aesthetic of a dystopian Korean playground.
The Reality of Playing the Squid Game Board Game
The first thing you’ll notice when you open the box is the sheer amount of components. You’ve got the bridge, the marbles, the cards, and those little cardboard figures representing the players. It supports 3 to 6 players. If you try to play with two, honestly, don't bother. The tension evaporates because the "betrayal" mechanics require a crowd to really sting.
In this version, you aren't just playing one game. You’re moving through a series of six mini-games that mirror the show's progression. Red Light, Green Light starts things off. It's simple. Maybe too simple? You’re essentially managing a hand of cards to move your tokens across a board while trying not to get shot by the doll. It feels a bit like a glorified version of "War" or "Snap," but the pressure builds because you know what's coming next.
The Dalgona challenge—the one with the honeycomb cookies—is handled through a card-drafting mechanic. It’s surprisingly stressful. You’re trying to "cut out" your shape by playing cards that match the required pattern, but your opponents can absolutely screw you over by passing you junk cards. This is where the Squid Game board game starts to show its teeth. It isn't about being the best at the puzzles; it’s about making sure someone else fails first.
Why the Marbles Round Ruins Friendships
If you thought the show was brutal during the marble round, the board game version does a decent job of making things awkward. It’s a bluffing game. You hold a certain number of marbles in your hand, and your opponent has to guess if the number is odd or even.
Simple? Sure.
Infuriating? Absolutely.
There is something visceral about losing your "life" in a game because you couldn't outthink your best friend's poker face. The game uses a "Team" mechanic where you’re forced to work with people in the early rounds—like the Tug of War—only to have to stab them in the back later. That transition from cooperation to cold-blooded survival is the most "authentic" part of the experience.
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The Glass Bridge is a Pure Gamble
Then comes the Glass Bridge. In the show, this was pure luck and terror. In the Squid Game board game, it's largely the same. You have to choose which tiles to step on. If you're at the front of the line, you're basically a sacrificial lamb. If you're at the back, you're coasting on the corpses of your friends.
Wait.
That sounds dark.
But that's the point of the brand, right? The game mechanics force you to decide: do I push forward and risk it all, or do I play it safe and hope someone else takes the hit? The problem is that if everyone plays too safely, the clock runs out and everyone loses. It creates this weird, frantic energy where people start making irrational moves just to keep the game moving.
Is it Actually "Strategy" or Just Luck?
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re a "Eurogame" enthusiast who loves complex engine builders like Terraforming Mars or Catan, this game might frustrate you. There is a lot of RNG (random number generation). You can play perfectly and still get eliminated because of a bad card draw or a lucky guess by an opponent.
But that’s kind of the point of Squid Game. The system is rigged. The games are unfair.
The strategy lies more in the "meta-game." You need to talk. You need to persuade people to target someone else. You need to keep a low profile so you aren't the obvious threat during the final Squid Game round. The final round itself is a tactical fight on a small grid, and by the time you get there, the player count is usually dwindled down to two or three people. It feels intimate and high-stakes, even if you're just moving cardboard.
Comparison: Mixlore vs. Other Versions
There isn't just one Squid Game board game. While the Asmodee/Mixlore version is the most common one you’ll find at Target or on Amazon, there are others.
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- The "Squid Game: The Game" (Netflix official): This one focuses heavily on the mini-game aspect and is often seen as a bit more "party game" friendly. It's faster, lighter, and better for people who aren't "gamers."
- Squid Game: The Strategy Game: Often found in international markets, this version leans harder into the tactical positioning of your "team" of players. You manage a whole group of contestants rather than just one.
- Unofficial Bootlegs: Avoid these. Usually, they are just generic "roll and move" games with stolen art. They lack the specific mechanics that make the show’s challenges interesting.
Setting the Vibe (Because the Rules Aren't Everything)
Honestly, if you play this game in a brightly lit room with the TV off, it can feel a bit dry. To get the most out of it, you kind of have to lean into the theme. Put the soundtrack on Spotify. Maybe wear a tracksuit if you're feeling extra.
The game shines when players roleplay a little. When someone gets eliminated, they should actually leave the table. It adds to the "survival" feel. If they just sit there and watch, the momentum slows down. The box says it takes about 45 minutes, but with a full group of six people who like to argue, expect it to go over an hour.
Common Misconceptions
People often think this is a game for kids because it’s based on playground games.
It is not.
The age rating is usually 16+ for a reason. Not because the board game is "gory"—it’s just cardboard—but because the mechanics of betrayal and the psychological pressure of the elimination rounds can be a bit much for younger kids. Plus, the show's themes are definitely for adults, and the game doesn't shy away from that cynical tone.
How to Win (Or at Least Not Die First)
If you're going to dive into the Squid Game board game, you need a plan.
- Don't be a hero in Red Light, Green Light. Staying in the middle of the pack is the safest bet. Let the aggressive players test the limits of the doll's movement.
- Hoard your "Advantage" cards. You'll get cards that let you reroll or change an outcome. Save these for the Glass Bridge or the Marbles. Using them early on Red Light, Green Light is a rookie mistake.
- Manage your "Alliances" carefully. In Tug of War, you need strong partners. But remember, those same partners will be your enemies in the very next round. Don't give them too much information about what cards you have left.
- Watch the clock. Many rounds have a time limit or a "round limit." If you play too conservatively, you might find yourself eliminated simply because you didn't move fast enough.
The Verdict: Worth Your Money?
If you’re a fan of the show, it’s a solid 7/10. It’s a great "event" game for a themed party. It’s not something you’re going to play every single week for a year, but it’s a fantastic experience once or twice a month when you have the right group of friends who don't mind a bit of backstabbing.
The components are sturdy enough, though the cardboard "bridge" in some versions can be a little fiddly to assemble. The artwork is clean, leaning into the pink and green color palette of the show without being distracting.
If you hate games where you can be eliminated early and have to sit out, you might find it annoying. But that’s the nature of the beast. To make it more fun, we usually have a "loser’s lounge" where eliminated players can bet on who they think will win the whole thing, using snacks as currency. It keeps everyone engaged.
Next Steps for Your Game Night
Ready to risk it all for a fictional piggy bank full of cash?
Start by checking which version you’re buying. Look for the "Mixlore" or "Asmodee" logo if you want the most balanced gameplay experience. Once you have it, read the rules for the Marbles and Glass Bridge rounds twice. They are the most complex parts of the game and the ones most likely to cause an argument if someone doesn't understand the mechanics.
Clear off a large table, invite exactly five friends (six players total is the "sweet spot"), and make sure everyone knows that what happens at the table stays at the table. You don't want a game of marbles ruining a ten-year friendship. Or maybe you do. That’s the spirit of the game, after all.
Grab some Dalgona cookies (or just some honeycomb toffee) to snack on while you play. It adds that extra layer of immersion that makes the "elimination" feel just a little bit more real. Just don't blame the game if you end up being the first one pushed off the bridge.