- BGG rank
- BGG #11,106
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident
- 1–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,288
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Bouba/Kiki
2025
Rules assistance for Bouba/Kiki
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–8 players
- 20–45 min
- 14+
- Complexity 1.0/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Bouba/Kiki
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Bouba/Kiki is a board game released in 2025 for 3–8 players, 20–45 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Jonathan Chaffer and its main mechanics are Cooperative Game, Communication Limits, and Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,316
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Stroop
- 2–4 players
- 10–15 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,871
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Holiday Hijinks #1: The Kringle Caper
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,078
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Filler
- 1–6 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,797
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Holiday Hijinks #3: The Pumpkin Problem
- 1–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,623
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Holiday Hijinks #4: The Cupid Crisis
- 1–4 players
- 30–60 min
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,295
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Holiday Hijinks #6: The Groundhog Gambit
- 1–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,707
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Holiday Hijinks #7: The Turkey Trial
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,734
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Holiday Hijinks #5: The Birthday Burglary
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,339
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Ensemble
- 2–10 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #160
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Just One
- 3–7 players
- 20–60 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #265
- BGG rating
- 7.6
So Clover!
- 3–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2021
About the game
Bouba/Kiki is a cooperative communication game based on the psychological Bouba/Kiki Effect, which is the finding that people tend to make the same associations between sounds and shapes, irrespective of their language or culture. For example, people will tend to associate the nonsense word bouba with a rounded shape and kiki with a spiky shape. The cards in Bouba/Kiki display a nonsense word on one side, and a simple illustration on the other. In the basic game, you are faced with a set of three of these words and one shape, and must decide which word goes best with the shape. Points are earned by choosing the same target as your teammates. The game contains six scenarios that expand on this idea, each containing five missions that gradually increase in difficulty and complexity. Each scenario presents a different communication-based setting, such as spacefarers making contact with an alien race, spirit mediums looking into the beyond, or toddlers playing together at a nursery. —description from the publisher
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Grand Gamers Guild
Questions and answers
Bouba/Kiki supports 3–8 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Bouba/Kiki is 20–45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Bouba/Kiki for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Bouba/Kiki has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Bouba/Kiki belongs to these categories: Word Game and Party Game. Its main mechanics are Cooperative Game, Communication Limits, and Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Bouba/Kiki are: Jonathan Chaffer. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Bouba/Kiki as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.