- BGG rank
- BGG #27,287
- BGG rating
- 5.3
Suds
- 2–4 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 1997
- BGG rank
- BGG #29,880
- BGG rating
- 4.8
Go Bananas!
2000
Rules assistance for Go Bananas!
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- 6+
- Complexity 1.0/5
Rules assistant for Go Bananas!
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Go Bananas! is a board game released in 2000 for 2–5 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Monty Stambler and Ann Stambler and its main mechanics are Set Collection and Pattern Recognition.
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About the game
The deck of 55 cards includes: 20 monkey cards with wild monkeys (red cards numbered 1 to 4); 20 monkey cards with mild monkeys (blue cards numbered 1 to 4); 8 Gotcha Gator cards; 6 banana cards (3 rotten and 3 fresh) and one Wild Gotcha Gator card. The deck is dealt out to all players who make a face down pile in front of them. Players turn over the top card of their decks simultaneously and place the card in the center of the table. Players attempt to be the first to spot one of two types of matches: Two different colored cards with the same value on different players' piles OR two different colored cards of the same value on one player's pile. The first player to spot it slaps the pile and shouts "Go Bananas!" That player then takes the pile(s). Additionally, players must watch out for matching Gotcha Gator cards (same number as card previously played in one player's pile) and rotten banana/fresh banana matches as well - each having its own shout as well. The first player to collect all the cards in the deck is the winner.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Gamewright
Questions and answers
Go Bananas! 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 Go Bananas! 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 Go Bananas! 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.
Go Bananas! 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.
Go Bananas! belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Animals. Its main mechanics are Set Collection 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 Go Bananas! are: Monty Stambler and Ann Stambler. 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 Go Bananas! 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.