
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,021
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Family Flutter-By
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2016

2018
Rules assistance for Polar Panic
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Polar Panic is a board game released in 2018 for 2–6 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Martin Nedergaard Andersen and its main mechanics are Memory.
In this chilly challenge players go ice fishing! Spread the cards over the table face down, with the ice hole side facing up. On each turn a player flips just one card, placing it back face up on the table. When any player sport two or more cards that have one or more fish in common they try to catch these as fast as possible so they can collect it. Be the first to catch the matching fish and prove that you are the best of all fishers in this chilly challenge! But beware the polar bear, whose hunger is feared by all inuits! If he shows his furry face it's game over! Polar panic is a fast-paced spot and catch game that will have everyone shivering in anticipation! Brrr...illiant!
Polar Panic 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 Polar Panic is 10 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 Polar Panic 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.
Polar Panic 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.
Polar Panic belongs to these categories: Animals, Party Game, and Real-time. Its main mechanics are Memory. 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 Polar Panic are: Martin Nedergaard Andersen. 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 Polar Panic 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.