- BGG rank
- BGG #9,198
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Ultimate Mastermind
- 2 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1972
- BGG rank
- BGG #25,082
- BGG rating
- 5.6
Mastermind Challenge
1993
Rules assistance for Mastermind Challenge
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 30 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Mastermind Challenge
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Mastermind Challenge is a board game released in 1993 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Mordecai Meirowitz.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,380
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Mastermind
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 1971
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,031
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Mini Mastermind
- 2 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 1972
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,381
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Zendo
- 2–6 players
- 15–60 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2001
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,070
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Clans
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2002
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,813
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Confusion: Espionage and Deception in the Cold War
- 2 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 1992
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,120
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Stratego
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1946
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,735
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Shadows in Kyoto
- 2 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,397
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Good & Bad Ghosts
- 2 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 1980
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,613
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Apotheca
- 1–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,401
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Fae
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,595
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Black Box
- 1–2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 1977
About the game
A further variation on the popular Mastermind Series of games first introduced by Invicta Games in the seventies. In the original Mastermind once the code setter has set his secret code, other than put pegs in the board to confirm how close the code breaker is getting to solving the code, he has nothing to do, other than sit there watching his opponent struggling to find the hidden code in the least number of goes. In Mastermind Challenge, using the specially designed board, both players simultaneously try and solve the other players secret code. Each player hides a secret code of 5 out of a possible 8 colors. His opponent then has to guess this combination, colors and position. Each player places 5 colored beads onto the board. Each code setter then users marker pegs to denote how close the code breaker is with this combination of colors. Players carry on in this way using different combinations of colored beads until one of the players guesses the correct combination. The player that guesses his opponent's secret code in the least number of attempts wins the game. The simplified version of this game is Kleur Bekennen that uses three columns of information instead of five.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Parker Brothers
- Jumbo
- Capiépa Éditeur: Jeux Éducatifs
Questions and answers
Mastermind Challenge 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 Mastermind Challenge 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 Mastermind Challenge 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.
Mastermind Challenge has a complexity rating of 1.7 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.
Mastermind Challenge belongs to these categories: Deduction and Abstract Strategy. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Mastermind Challenge and want something comparable for your next game night.
The credited designers of Mastermind Challenge are: Mordecai Meirowitz. 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 Mastermind Challenge 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.