- BGG rank
- BGG #320
- BGG rating
- 7.9
1830: Railways & Robber Barons
- 2–7 players
- 180–360 min
- Complexity 4.2/5
- 1986
- BGG rank
- BGG #718
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Shikoku 1889
2004
Rules assistance for Shikoku 1889
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 180–240 min
- 14+
- Complexity 3.8/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Shikoku 1889
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shikoku 1889 is a board game released in 2004 for 2–6 players, 180–240 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Yasutaka Ikeda and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Ownership, and Tile Placement.
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About the game
1889, an 18xx game in the series originated by Francis Tresham's 1829, is set in Shikoku Japan. The rules are similar to 1830: Railways & Robber Barons on a smaller and terrain-heavy map. In 1889, 2-6 players will use money to purchase shares in railroad companies during Share Dealing Rounds. Between subsequent Share Dealing Rounds, railroad corporations then conduct operations on the game board, with the decisions being made by the player who is the major share holder. The game simulates the progression of railroad development during an historic period on Shikoku. Old trains become obsolete while the revenue earnings from cities grows over time. Players will try to purchase the most profitable shares at the right times of the game to maximize earnings in dividends and stock value gains. In the end, the player with the highest value of personal cash and held stocks is the winner. The game was originally available in kit form from Wild Heaven, and is now also being published by Grand Trunk Games.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Deep Thought Games, LLC
- Golden Spike Games
- Wild Heaven
- Grand Trunk Games
Questions and answers
Shikoku 1889 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 Shikoku 1889 is 180–240 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 Shikoku 1889 for ages 14 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.
Shikoku 1889 has a complexity rating of 3.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy 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.
Shikoku 1889 belongs to these categories: Economic, Trains, and Transportation. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Ownership, 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 Shikoku 1889 are: Yasutaka Ikeda. 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 Shikoku 1889 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.