- BGG rank
- BGG #21,423
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Difference Junior
- 2–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #26,554
- BGG rating
- 5.6
Difference
2009
Rules assistance for Difference
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 20 min
- 6+
- Complexity 1.1/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Difference
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Difference is a board game released in 2009 for 2–6 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Christophe Boelinger and its main mechanics are Real-Time and Pattern Recognition.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,961
- BGG rating
- 5.9
4 Gods
- 2–4 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,206
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Miss Monster
- 3–4 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2005
- BGG rank
- BGG #463
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Mysterium
- 2–7 players
- 42 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,109
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Jungle Speed
- 2–10 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 1997
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,423
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
- 2–8 players
- 10–30 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,647
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Space Cadets
- 3–6 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,249
- BGG rating
- 7.1
The Curse of the Maldita Diamond
- 2–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,305
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Pakal
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,381
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Skyrockets: Festivals of Fire
- 2–5 players
- 10–15 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,392
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Spotlight
- 1–5 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,344
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Pit Crew
- 2–9 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2017
About the game
Based on the popular "spot the differences" challenges found in books, newspapers and elsewhere, Difference challenges your abilities to observe and react quickly. The deck includes two sets of double-sided cards, with one set being more challenging than the other. Place one card in the center of the table, then deal the rest out to players as evenly as possible. To start, each player looks at the top card of her stack, then tries to spot the two differences between her card in hand and the reference card on the table. Whoever spots her particular differences first stops play, demonstrates them to everyone, places her card on top of the reference card (creating a new challenge for everyone), then draws the next card from her deck. Whoever gets rid of all of her cards first wins!
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Gémklub
- Gigamic
- Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd
- Z-Man Games
- MEBO Games
- Ludically
Questions and answers
Difference supports 2–6 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 Difference is 20 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 Difference for ages 6 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.
Difference 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.
Difference belongs to these categories: Real-time. Its main mechanics are Real-Time and Pattern Recognition. 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 Difference are: Christophe Boelinger. 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 Difference 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.