Video Game Champion Strategy Board Game

About this product

Grab your controller, visit the video rental store and relive the golden age of 16-bit gaming!

A nostalgic strategy board game for 2–5 players, combining action drafting, resource management and clever button combinations in a race to become the ultimate Video Game Champion.

Earn pocket money, rent video games, collect magazines and complete gaming achievements as you compete for the highest score in a world inspired by the 1990s.

Product Description

Welcome back to the 1990s, when video game magazines were packed with secrets, rental stores were full of exciting discoveries and becoming the best gamer in the neighbourhood was every kid's dream.

In Video Game Champion, you and your friends step into the shoes of young gamers determined to make the most of the golden age of 16-bit video games.

But there's more to becoming a champion than simply playing games. You'll need to earn money, keep up with your studies, finish your chores and sometimes convince your parents to buy you that new release you've been dreaming about.

Each turn, select a Button Tile from the shared Action Grid and choose an associated action. Visit the rental store, purchase video game magazines, earn money or plan your next gaming session as you build combinations of numbered and coloured Button Tiles.

These combinations are the key to your success. Match the required patterns to play or beat video games, earning points and unlocking opportunities to progress towards new achievements.

From platform adventures and fighting games to racing-inspired challenges and role-playing adventures, the fictional video games capture the colourful excitement of gaming in the 1990s.

Discover new releases, collect crystals in your Password Notebook and use magazines to help complete difficult combinations. Just remember that spending too much time gaming might leave you with a growing collection of IOUs and chores that still need attention!

Across five weeks, you'll balance everyday responsibilities with your passion for video games. Compete for achievements, make the most of your weekends and decide which games are worth your time and resources.

When the final week ends, points from beaten games, achievements, new releases and other accomplishments determine who has earned the ultimate neighbourhood title.

Will you rise above your friends and become the next Video Game Champion?

Official Rulebook

View the Video Game Champion Official Rulebook (PDF)

Why You'll Love It

• Relive the 1990s: Step into the golden age of 16-bit gaming, video rental stores, strategy magazines and unforgettable childhood gaming adventures.
• Become a Gaming Champion: Compete to play and beat video games while earning the highest score among your friends.
• Clever Action Drafting: Choose Button Tiles from a shared Action Grid to unlock actions and build useful combinations.
• Exciting Button Combinations: Use numbered and coloured tiles to create sequences, matching sets and other combinations needed to beat games.
• Manage Your Free Time: Balance earning money, studying, completing chores and spending time on your favourite hobby.
• Discover New Releases: Rent games, collect magazines and explore new titles as they become available throughout the game.
• Complete Achievements: Race other players to fulfil special objectives and earn additional points.
• Build Your Password Notebook: Collect New Release Crystals and complete rows and columns to unlock rewards.
• Multiple Scoring Opportunities: Earn points from beaten games, completed achievements, collected crystals and other gaming accomplishments.
• Nostalgic Tabletop Experience: Enjoy a competitive strategy game filled with colourful retro-inspired artwork and video gaming references.

Quick Details

• Game: Video Game Champion
• Publisher: Arcane Wonders
• Developed By: Patrick Matheus Games
• Designers: André Negrão and Patrick Matheus
• Product Type: Competitive strategy board game
• Players: 2–5
• Recommended Age: 14+
• Playing Time: Approximately 50–90 minutes
• Main Mechanics: Action drafting, hand management, set collection and resource management
• Theme: 1990s retro video gaming
• Game Format: Standalone game

What's Included

• 17 Achievement Cards
• 15 Magazine Cards
• 5 Initial Video Game Cards
• 1 Reference Card
• 30 Video Game Cards
• 1 New Releases Bag
• 1 Button Tiles Bag
• 5 Password Notebooks
• 10 Cubes (2 of each colour)
• 15 Meeples (3 of each colour)
• 40 Dollar Tokens
• 40 New Release Crystals (8 of each colour)
• 80 Played/Beaten Game Tokens (16 of each colour)
• 26 IOU Tiles
• 50 Button Tiles
• 1 Initiative Board
• 1 Discard Board
• 8 Action Boards
• 1 Scorepad
• 1 Rulebook

Good to Know

• Standalone Game: Everything required to play is included. No separate base game is needed.
• Five-Week Gameplay: Each game takes place over five weeks, with Routine turns and a Weekend turn during each week.
• Two-Player Adjustments: The rulebook includes a modified Action Grid setup for two players.
• Retro-Inspired Games: The included Video Game Cards feature fictional titles inspired by different gaming genres.
• Different Achievements: The available Achievement Cards can change between games, creating varied scoring opportunities.
• Final Scoring: Points are awarded for beaten games, gaming achievements, collected crystals, completed notebook objectives and other accomplishments.