- BGG rank
- BGG #5,407
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Orient Express
- 1–6 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1985
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,819
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Lemming Mafia
2009
Rules assistance for Lemming Mafia
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 20 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.4/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Lemming Mafia
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Lemming Mafia is a board game released in 2009 for 3–6 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Michael Rieneck and its main mechanics are Race, Roll / Spin and Move, and Track Movement.
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About the game
The third game based on the German web cartoon "Nichtlustig" by Joscha Sauer. It features the Mafia Lemming characters from the cartoon. From the publisher's website: "Real lemmings want to jump off the next cliff. Members of the different lemming mafia families aren't any different. Because in the game, there is not only one, but six members of the suicidal species, they make a contest out of it. They all run to the lake and the first one who jumps in the lake wins. And it wouldn't be a real race if you couldn't place bets on the result. Each player has his favorite lemmings and tries to use the dice results to influence the race." Game Summary Each player has 6 cards (1/lemming), and 2 mission cards (bonus VP at end of game). On your turn, roll two dice (sides show one of the lemming colors) then choose to move one of those lemmings (if one is out of the race, move the lemming in last place). Lemmings may move one track section at a time, to any unoccupied space in the next section. The spaces on the race track are one of several types (e.g., give a lemming concrete shoe; 2=dead, remove concrete, allow you to place bets, move a lemming, etc.). Betting is interesting: each time, you have the option to bet. To do so, place a lemming card face down on top of your stack of bet cards; goal is to place winner on TOP of your stack (last bet placed). The game ends when a lemming reaches the finish; place remaining lemmings in the order they are on the track. Mission cards score bonus VP if completed, or cost VP if failed. Then resolve bets: turn over your cards, then go through them getting 1 VP per card revealed until you get to winning lemming (max 6 VP).
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Smart Ltd
- Hobby World
- KOSMOS
- 999 Games
- Mayfair Games
- IELLO
Questions and answers
Lemming Mafia 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 Lemming Mafia 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 Lemming Mafia for ages 8 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.
Lemming Mafia has a complexity rating of 1.4 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.
Lemming Mafia belongs to these categories: Animals and Comic Book / Strip. Its main mechanics are Race, Roll / Spin and Move, and Track Movement. 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 Lemming Mafia are: Michael Rieneck. 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 Lemming Mafia 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.