- BGG rank
- BGG #7,469
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Sherlock
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 1999
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,398
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Cowabunga
2005
Rules assistance for Cowabunga
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- 7+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Cowabunga
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Cowabunga is a board game released in 2005 for 2–5 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. It was designed by Reinhard Staupe and its main mechanics are Memory.
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About the game
In Fettnapf by Reinhard Staupe, the object of the game is to avoid collecting Fettnapf cards. Sounds simple, but as the game title suggests, little problems arise everywhere. In turn order, cards are played out and the values added together or subtracted: 24…29…32…25… but beware: if you say a number that someone has in hand, then you’ve put your foot in it. Those with a talent for this will learn how to ship a Fettnapf around and win the game. Each player receives 3 cards (valued 0 to 9) and an island card (10 to 30). In turn order, each player plays a card and draws a new one into his hand. The played-out cards get added (up to 30) or subtracted (down to 10) and announced out loud: 24-28-32-26-18-9-12. Whenever a player goes over the limit, the right-hand player gets an island card. When a player announces a number that another player has in hand as an island card, then he’s put his foot in it and receives a Fettnapf card. The game ends when a player has collected 4 Fettnapf cards. The winner is the player with the fewest Fettnapf cards.
Questions and answers
Cowabunga supports 2–5 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 Cowabunga 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 Cowabunga for ages 7 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.
Cowabunga has a complexity rating of 1.3 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.
Cowabunga belongs to these categories: Card Game, Number, and Memory. Its main mechanics are Memory. 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 Cowabunga are: Reinhard Staupe. 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 Cowabunga 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.