Game: Maki Stack
Designer: Jeff Lai
Published: Blue Orange Games
Players: 2-6 players
Playtime: 10-20 Minutes
Play Type: Dexterity
Synopsis:
It is time to show off your sushi stacking skills. Compete against the other team as you race to have the best presentation in the shortest time. The players that can complete the pattern first will win be the culinary masters.
Game Play:
The game play in Maki Stack is very simple. Players will divide into two teams and compete with those teams to replicate stacks of sushi depicted on cards. There are two kinds of cards: Chopsticks and Blindfold.
When players draw a chopsticks card, they must work with one other teammate to stack the sushi as depicted. Each teammate is only able to use one finger, imitating the idea of using chopsticks to stack the pieces. In blindfold mode one player wears a mask and listens to the directions of their other teammates to complete the task.
In both modes, the goal is to be the first team completed with all the elements in the correct spot. Players may add additional rules to make the game more challenging like only using specific fingers as chopsticks, or using non-dominate hands. The first team to six cards wins the competition.
Components:
The game comes with a deck of cards, two foam masks, two player mats, and 10 wooden sushi pieces. The pieces are high quality, and will stand up to being knocked over multiple times. The only thing I am not sure would last over a long time, especially with kids using them are the two masks. If I were to play this game with young kids frequently, I may consider replacing the two masks with sleep masks or another substitute.
Overview:
Positives:
- Easy to Teach
- Engaging for Kids
- Builds Fine and Gross Motorskills
- Teaches Direction Giving and Listening Skills
- Fast Play Time
- Quick Set-Up
- Quality Components
Negatives:
- Best at High Player Counts
- Masks may be Damaged Easily
As a teacher, a game like Maki Stack stands out to me as a great game for a classroom or family with young children. The game play while very simple, is also addictive and fun. This is especially true when there is a large group playing because the audience adds a lot of energy to those who are competing. It also allows kids to develop crucial fine motor and gross motor skills while having fun. The blindfold modes focuses on direction giving and listening skills which may be frustrating for some people, especially in a loud area. However, it makes for a great ice breaker when working with new people.
That being said, while Maki Stack can be played at two players, I would not suggest it. The game loses a lot of it’s interaction when playing with two players, because all of the modes are simply how quickly can you stack the image. In fact, I would really suggest Maki Stack only for four players or more, as with three players there are not equal teams.
Overall I think that Maki Stack is a lovely addition to my dexterity collection. It provides a interactive experience in which players must pay attention to one another and work together. As an educator, I plan on using Maki Stack in the classroom as an ice breaker early in the year. As an adult, Maki Stack is equally engaging with competitive people. Players will get very focused on how they can win, and may be even more engaged than if playing with children.
I would suggest Maki Stack if you are a teacher or parent. Additionally, I would suggest Maki Stack if you enjoy dexterity games like Ice Cool, Meeple Circus or Rhino Hero or if you enjoy games where you must work as a team like Captain Sonar, Codenames or Pandemic.
The Meeple Street 