Basari (1998)

Several games use the simultaneous action selection mechanism, but this is perhaps one of the best.

Basari is a game of gem merchants competing in a marketplace, racing, collecting, trading, and predicting what the other merchants will do.

To start the game, players receive 12 gemstones (3 each of 4 colors).
Each turn there will be a movement phase and an action phase:

For movement, everyone simultaneously rolls their die and moves their markers around a track.

They then choose one of three different actions to perform. The actions are:
- to take a variety of gems from a market stall,
- to immediately score from between 4 and 7 points, or
- to roll and move again and also collect points.

The action cards are revealed simultaneously. If only 1 player chose a particular action, they simply perform that action. If 2 players chose the same action, they barter back and forth with gemstones. One player will eventually accept the other's offer of gems, and the other will take the action. If 3 or 4 players all chose the same action card, that action is cancelled. Note that in 4-player games, there will always be a conflict in choice of 3 actions, so much more negotiating goes on.

A new turn begins with everyone rolling their die, moving, then choosing and revealing their action cards. When any merchant piece completes a lap around the board, the round ends and bonus points are awarded based on who has the majority in each gem color and who has completed a lap. After three rounds, the game is over and the highest score wins.

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)