- BGG rank
- BGG #5,480
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Focus
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 1963
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,947
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Upthrust
1987
Rules assistance for Upthrust
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 10 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Upthrust
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Upthrust is a board game released in 1987 for 1–4 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Sid Sackson and its main mechanics are Square Grid and Grid Movement.
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About the game
Upthrust is a jumping game where you try to jump your pieces into higher scoring levels. The board is a pegboard consisting of 4 columns and 11 levels. Each player starts with 4 pieces each in a different column at the lowest 4 levels of the board. On your turn, one of your pieces can jump up the number of levels (while remaining in the same column) equal to the number of pieces on the level it jumps from. However: - Only one piece may occupy each space. - The highest piece of any color may not make a single level jump. - In the non-scoring levels, two pieces of the same color cannot be at the same level. The game ends when no player can legally move or if there 2 pieces left in the non scoring levels. Highest total score wins. This was originally published as a solitaire game titled Score Up, but the gameplay is almost identical. (In the original version two pieces of the same color can never be in the same row.)
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Lagoon Games
- Great American Trading Company
- GAMES Magazine
Questions and answers
Upthrust supports 1–4 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 Upthrust 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 Upthrust 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.
Upthrust has a complexity rating of 1.3 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.
Upthrust belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Square Grid and Grid 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 Upthrust are: Sid Sackson. 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 Upthrust 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.