Cabanga!

My family and friends love quick card games that are easy to learn and offer competitive interaction. Amigo games like Bohnanza and Pick A Pepper frequent favorites at our game nights. When I heard about Cabanga!, I knew I had to try it. The thrill of deciding whether to play a card that might cause me to gain unwanted cards adds an exciting layer of suspense, making every turn feel like a risky, strategic gamble. This unique twist instantly drew me in.

Cabanga! is a card shedding game from designer Michael Modler and published by Amigo Games. It’s for 3-6 players age 8+ and takes about 20 minutes to play.

Setup

Place the four row cards vertically in the middle of the table. Shuffle the start cards and number cards separately, and place one start card on either side of each row card.

Then, deal eight number cards to each player; these cards must be kept hidden from opponents. Place the remaining number cards as a penalty pile. Grab a pen and paper for scoring, and you’re ready to play!

Gameplay

On your turn, play one card in the row with the matching color. Place that card on either the left or right discard pile of the matching color. The numbers on the cards already in the pile do not matter. If you play the same color as the previous player, you must draw a card from the penalty pile.

When you play a card, it may create a number gap between the card you played and the number on the opposite discard pile. If other players have cards of the same color that fit within the number gap, they yell “CABANGA!” and throw their cards at you. For each card you receive, draw a card from the penalty pile. Then discard the thrown cards.

After you play a card, play passes to the next player on the left. Players can yell “CABANGA!” until they play a card to a row.

If there is no gap, players cannot throw cards at you.

End of a Round

A round in Cabanga! ends when a player has no cards left at the end of a turn, either by playing them or throwing them. However, if you play your last card and someone calls “CABANGA!” on your turn, you must still draw penalty cards, and you do not end the round. If you throw your last card at someone else, the round ends after they draw penalty cards.

At the end of the round, count the total number of negative point symbols (diamonds) on the cards left in each player’s hand. Record the totals for each player and set up for a new round by following the setup instructions.

Game End

Continue playing rounds until one player accumulates at least 18 negative points. The player with the fewest negative points wins. In the case of a tie, all tied players share the victory.

Impressions

Cabanga! is easy to teach and get newcomers involved. It’s simple enough for both young and older gamers to enjoy. If your family is used to games like Crazy 8s or Uno, this is definitely a stepping stone something more strategic and fun, without too much complexity. It checks a lot of boxes for what makes a good small box game in my book.

Second, Cabanga! plays fine with three players, but it truly shines with five or six. When I played with my gaming group, the cards were flying, and the interaction increased significantly with more players. Although getting penalized with multiple cards can be frustrating, there’s always a chance to return the favor on the next turn. If playing with younger players who might get upset about being penalized, keep this in mind.

Let’s be honest, the best part is shouting “CABANGA!” and tossing cards to another player. With a lively group, it makes for some truly memorable moments.

A Banga! of a time

Cabanga! is pure fun! It’s not overly complex, and there’s never too many choices to overwhelm you.

The strategy is to play cards to create the smallest gap possible and avoid penalties. When it’s not your turn, stay alert to call “CABANGA!” or join in tossing a card.

It’s easy to teach your 8-year-old or your grandma, and it’s perfect for family game nights. It even works well for entertaining the family while waiting for a meal at a restaurant or playing at the pub with friends. It’s not a table hog and easily fits in a back pocket or fanny pack.

My only critique is the slim box, which is not ideal if you like to sleeve cards. Using card sleeves might not be a bad idea, since you’re throwing cards back and forth. But at $12.99 you won’t break the bank even if you need to replace the whole game.

Cabanga! has evergreen vibes and deserves a spot next to Uno in every store. It makes a great gift for anyone who enjoys simple, engaging card games. If you know a gamer who loves 6 Nimmt (aka Take 5) or L.L.A.M.A., Cabanga! is an excellent choice.

Ready to shed some cards and embrace a little chaos? Pick up a copy of Cabanga! from Amigo Games, or your local game store. Look for it on Amazon soon!

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The Family Gamers received a copy of Cabanga! from Amigo Games for this review.