If you’re looking for a board game that’s explosive, energetic, and packed with monster-sized fun, King of Tokyo is your next tabletop obsession. Created by Richard Garfield—the designer of Magic: The Gathering—this award-winning monster dice game lets you control massive creatures battling for dominance in the heart of Tokyo.
This post covers what the game is, how it plays, and why it deserves a top spot in your next game night.
What Is King of Tokyo?
King of Tokyo is a fast-paced board game for 2 to 6 players where mutant monsters, giant robots, and alien invaders compete to become the ultimate King of the City. Your goal? Be the last monster standing—or the first to reach 20 victory points.
It’s a perfect game for families, friends, or anyone who loves dice games with strategy and chaos in equal measure.
Want to check the official rules? View the King of Tokyo booklet (PDF) from IELLO Games.
King of Tokyo Game Components
Here’s what comes in the box:
- 6 monster standees with player boards (e.g., Gigazaur, The King, Alienoid)
- 66 Power Cards with unique abilities
- 6 black dice + 2 green dice (used with special effects)
- Tokyo city board (divided into Tokyo City and Tokyo Bay)
- Energy cubes (glowing green tokens)
- Score trackers for Life (❤️) and Victory Points (⭐)
- Quick-start rulebook
You can explore more photos and community reviews on BoardGameGeek’s King of Tokyo page.
How to Play King of Tokyo – A Turn in Action
Let’s break down a typical midgame turn with 4 players. The monsters are in full swing:
- The King – inside Tokyo, 7 HP, 12 VP
- Cyber Bunny – outside, 8 HP, 7 VP
- Gigazaur – outside, 6 HP, 9 VP
- Alienoid – outside, 10 HP, 5 VP
It’s Cyber Bunny’s turn. Here’s how a turn works, step by step.
🎲 Step 1: Roll the Dice
Start your turn by rolling all six black dice. You may reroll the dice up to two more times, for a total of three rolls.
After each roll, you can set aside any dice you want to keep, then reroll the rest. You may change your mind and reroll different dice each time, as long as you don’t roll more than three times in total.
Cyber Bunny’s Roll Example:
- First roll: [1, Claw, 2, Energy, Claw, Heart]
→ Keeps 2 Claws, rerolls the rest. - Second roll: [Claw, Claw, Energy, Heart]
→ Keeps 2 more Claws (now has 4), rerolls Energy & Heart. - Final roll: [Claw, Energy]
Final Result: 5 Claws, 1 Energy.
⚡ Step 2: Resolve Dice Effects
Each die face has a different effect:
- Claws (🎯): Deal damage.
- Outside Tokyo? Damage everyone inside.
- Inside Tokyo? Damage everyone outside.
- Cyber Bunny is outside; The King takes 5 damage (drops to 2 HP).
- Energy (⚡): Gain 1 energy cube per ⚡ symbol.
- Cyber Bunny gains 1.
- Hearts (💚): Heal 1 damage per Heart—but only if you’re outside Tokyo.
- Numbers (1, 2, 3): Earn Victory Points for sets of three or more.
- 3 x 1s = 1 VP, 3 x 2s = 2 VP, 3 x 3s = 3 VP
- Extra matching dice = +1 VP each
Example: [3, 3, 3, 3, Heart, Energy] = 4 VP
🏙️ Step 3: Tokyo Decision Time
Since Cyber Bunny just attacked, and she’s outside Tokyo, The King (who’s inside) can now choose to yield Tokyo.
He wisely gives it up at just 2 HP. Cyber Bunny enters Tokyo and earns 1 Victory Point for taking control.
Important Note: Monsters inside Tokyo can’t heal, but they gain 2 VP at the start of their turn if they stay.
🛍️ Step 4: Buy Power Cards
Now Cyber Bunny can spend energy cubes to buy cards from the display.
With 3 cubes total, she grabs “Fire Blast”—a card that deals 2 damage to all other monsters immediately!
- Gigazaur drops to 4 HP
- Alienoid drops to 8 HP
- The King avoids it this time since he’s no longer in Tokyo
These Power Cards add long-term upgrades, temporary bonuses, and unique effects—making each game wildly different.
🔁 Step 5: End Turn
Cyber Bunny ends her turn with a grin. She’s now the Queen of Tokyo—at least for a while.
Why you’ll love King of Tokyo
King of Tokyo is wildly fun, incredibly accessible, and full of memorable moments. It blends strategy, push-your-luck dice rolling, and direct player conflict in a way that feels epic every time.
What makes it special?
- 🎯 Fast-paced gameplay (20–30 minutes)
- 👪 Great for both families and seasoned gamers
- 🔁 High replay value with Power Cards and expansions
- 💥 Pure monster mayhem
- Several Add-ons and Epansions available to add more game mechanic and fun to the game
It’s no wonder this game has become a modern board game classic.
This and other eciting boardgames you can play at Arcanopolis Café & Boardgamery in Bacolod City. We welcome always new players.
