Jungle Speed

Designers: Paul Yakovenko & Thomas Vuarchex
Publisher: Asmodee Editions
Year: 1997
Players: 2-8
Ages: 7+
Playing Time: 10 minutes

The Idea
Jungle Speed is a game with similarities to the traditional kids game Snap in which players try to get rid of their cards by grabbing a totem when they have matching cards. It’s a game that requires keen observation and quick reflexes.

In the Box
For Jungle Speed, the box the game comes in is essentially a throw-away box because the box contains a draw string bag to store the game in. The bag looks nice and is of reasonable quality but is a fraction too small for my liking. The bag does hold everything, it’s just not quite a comfortable fit.

The main part of the game is a deck of 80 square cards. Most of the cards have symbols of various colours on them with some subtle differences between them. There are also 8 special cards. The cards are of reasonable quality but given the potentially rough treatment they’re going to receive from excited players they could perhaps have stood to have been a bit thicker.

The most memorable component of the game is the wooden spindle which is the game’s “totem”. It is solid and fits well with the game.

Finally the game contains a small black and white rulebook. The rulebook is humorously written and fairly clear about gameplay and the possible situations that can come up in play.

Basic Game Play Summary
This summary applies to playing Jungle Speed with three or more players. The two player game is a little bit different and will be described at the end.

Each player receives an equal pile of cards which are placed face down in front of them. The players then take turns turning over cards onto their own discard pile. Any time two players have symbols which match (the colour isn’t important) they try to grab the totem first. There are some rules for deciding who grabbed it if both players manage to grab the totem together. The loser of the contest will take both the winner’s and their own discard piles and put them under their pile of cards. Play continues like this until one player has no cards left and they win the game.

To spice things up there are three different kinds of special cards. The first card contains four grey arrows twisting inward and prompts all players to grab for the totem. The player who grabs it first gets to put their discard pile under the totem and the next losing player will also take them in addition to the other cards that are taken.

The second special card features four grey arrows twisting outward. When this card is turned over all players will turn over a card at the same time. If there are any matches then those players should grab for the totem as usual.

The final special card contains four coloured arrows twisting inward. As soon as that card is revealed then the shapes on the cards no longer matter. Players are trying to match the same colours. This rule will remain in effect until the coloured arrow card has been covered again at which time the game immediately switches back to symbol matching.

The final rule of note is the punishment for making a mistake. If you touch the totem when you shouldn’t or knock it over instead of grabbing it then you have to take everyone’s discard piles. It can be a hefty punishment.

While observation and reflexes are obviously important for doing well in Jungle Speed, guile is also useful. Faking out opponents and trying to make them grab when they shouldn’t is also a valid tactic.

The two player game is different to the regular play in that each player has two piles of card each. Each player has a pile for their left and right hands and must always use the appropriate hand when one of their piles matches their opponent’s cards. It’s a nice bit of variation and can really exercise the left and right hand sides of the brain!

Who Would Like It?
Jungle Speed really suits active people who don’t mind a bit of finger jarring as multiple hands grab for the totem. The game has a very party game feel so if your family or group enjoys party games then you may get good value out of this game. Kids and teenagers tend to especially enjoy Jungle Speed.

Naturally if you aren’t a fan of quick reflex games then you may want to pass on this.

Where to From Here
The classic dexterity game for adults would have to be “Jenga” (from Hasbro) and it continues to entertain many. Another light and active party game is “Hands Up” from R&R Games.

A game which shares the symbol matching and fast reflexes of Jungle Speed is a small game called “Blink” (from Out of the Box) however it is only a two player game.

Kids (and their parents) might also be interested in “Slamwich” from Gamewright.