- BGG rank
- BGG #4,260
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Compatibility
1995
Rules assistance for Compatibility
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 30 min
- 12+
- Complexity 1.1/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Compatibility
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Compatibility is a board game released in 1995 for 3–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Craig Browne (I) and its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection and Team-Based Game.
About the game
Play is in teams of two. Each person has a deck of picture cards. Each deck has the same set of pictures. There is also a deck of word cards with words like "marriage", "de facto", and "pimple". A word is chosen and each player chooses 2-5 cards from his/her deck. Teams score points for choosing the same pictures, and score extra points for putting the pictures in the same order (from most to least important). The board is used to keep track of the score, and to dictate how many pictures a team may select. First team to the end wins. Re-implemented by: Compatibility 15th Anniversary Edition
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Broadway Toys LTD
- asmodee
- Mattel, Inc.
- Spear's Games
- International Games
- Crown & Andrews Ltd.
- Competo / Marektoy
- Oliphante
- Ystari Games
- Cocktail Games
Questions and answers
Compatibility supports 3–6 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 Compatibility is 30 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 Compatibility for ages 12 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.
Compatibility has a complexity rating of 1.1 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.
Compatibility belongs to these categories: Card Game, Word Game, and Party Game. Its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection and Team-Based 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 Compatibility are: Craig Browne (I). 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 Compatibility 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.