Basari (1998)

Several games use the simultaneous action selection mechanism, but this is perhaps one of the best. During a turn, players each roll a die and move their markers around a track. They then chose one of three different actions to perform. The actions are to take gems from the market, to immediately score 4-7 points, or to roll and move again and take points (6 minus your roll). The choices are revealed simultaneously, and if only one player chose a particular action, they simply perform that action. Otherwise players may have to either barter with gems they already hold for the right to perform the action or just not perform any action that turn. Negotiation is handled silently, with back-and-forth offers of gems until an offer is accepted.

Basari plays with 3 or 4 players. Note with 4 players, there is always a conflict in choice of action, and much more bartering goes on.

Re-implemented by:

• Edel, Stein & Reich

Awards

• 2004 Mensa Select Winner.
• 1998 Spiel des Jahres Recommendation.

Game Microbadge:

Components:

• 100 gemstones (25 each in four different colors)
• 4 short points markers (1 each in 4 different colors)
• 4 flat start disks (1 each in 4 different colors)
• 4 merchant pieces (1 each in 4 different colors)
• 4 dice (1 each in 4 different colors)
• 12 action cards (3 each in 4 different colors)