- BGG rating
- 6.3
Kingpin: Colombian Cartel
- 2 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #16,509
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Kingpin
2009
Rules assistance for Kingpin
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 30 min
- 15+
- Complexity 2.3/5
Rules assistant for Kingpin
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Kingpin is a board game released in 2009 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 15 and up. It was designed by Rafał Cywicki, Krzysztof Cywicki, and Krzysztof Hanusz and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Tile Placement.
Expansions
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About the game
Kingpin is a tactical board game for 2 players, aged 18 and above. The estimated gameplay time is 15 – 30 minutes. Participants play the roles of the eponymous kingpins – mafia bosses. The objective of the game is to defeat the enemy mafia, led by the opponent. In Kingpin, players choose between three different crime syndicates: the Italian Mafia, the Russian Mob, and the Yakuza. Each organization has different pieces, changing the style of each game. The Yakuza prefers quiet assassinations, the Russian Mob overcomes its opponents with sheer firepower, and the Mafia specializes in swift drive-by shootings. The game "neo noir" theme borrows heavily from cult gangster movies and graphic novels, such as the works of Quentin Tarantino or Frank Miller. Three important features of the game are: a two-sided game board featuring two different maps, three victory conditions available for the players, and the lack of randomness during play. The authors describe it as a fast-paced game of nerves, somewhere between a Mexican standoff and a game of chess where the rooks and bishops run around with Tommy-guns. Because of the suggestive theme, the publisher considered this title unsuitable for children. The game contains the following components: - double-sided board, - 24 gangster tiles, - 3 action tokens, - 12 fire tokens, - game rules.
Categories
Publishers
- Kuźnia Gier
Questions and answers
Kingpin supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Kingpin 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 Kingpin for ages 15 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.
Kingpin has a complexity rating of 2.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Kingpin belongs to these categories: Fighting, Abstract Strategy, and Mafia. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Tile Placement. 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 Kingpin are: Rafał Cywicki, Krzysztof Cywicki, and Krzysztof Hanusz. 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 Kingpin 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.