Zooloretto
Encyclopedia
Zooloretto is a board game
designed by Michael Schacht
, published in 2007
by Abacus Spiele and in English by Rio Grande Games
. The premise of the game is that each player is the owner of a zoo
, and must collect animals in order to attract visitors to their zoo (thus scoring points to win the game). Having full, or nearly full, animal enclosures scores more points. However, if a player has too many animals such that they must be stored in their "barn", this causes them to lose points. Vending stalls also offer a means for players to score points with enclosures that are not full.
The method that players use to collect animals is based on the mechanics of the card game Coloretto
(also designed by Michael Schacht).
, restaurant, and souvenir
shop, each of which offers different opportunities for players to score points. An additional large expansion, Aquaretto, can be played as a stand-alone game or in combination with Zooloretto.
and iPod Touch
version was published in May 2009.
Currently WhiteBear Studios is creating Zooloretto for Nintendo Wii and PC. The game has a single player campaign mode and a multiplayer mode. The game can be played (just like the board game) with five human players on a single Nintendo Wii.
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
designed by Michael Schacht
Michael Schacht
Michael Schacht is a German game designer, graphician and owner of the small publishing company Spiele aus Timbuktu.- Life and work :...
, published in 2007
2007 in games
This page lists board and card games, wargames, miniatures games, and table-top role-playing games published in 2007. For video and console games, see 2007 in video gaming....
by Abacus Spiele and in English by Rio Grande Games
Rio Grande Games
Rio Grande Games is a board game publisher based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The company primarily imports and localizes foreign language German-style board games.-History:...
. The premise of the game is that each player is the owner of a zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
, and must collect animals in order to attract visitors to their zoo (thus scoring points to win the game). Having full, or nearly full, animal enclosures scores more points. However, if a player has too many animals such that they must be stored in their "barn", this causes them to lose points. Vending stalls also offer a means for players to score points with enclosures that are not full.
The method that players use to collect animals is based on the mechanics of the card game Coloretto
Coloretto
Coloretto is a card game designed by Michael Schacht, originally published in 2003. The game cards depict chameleons, showing that "a player may change his color many times during the game". Rules are provided in both English and French...
(also designed by Michael Schacht).
Expansions and spin-offs
Numerous small expansions have been published, many of which are available for download (at no cost) at the publisher's website. These include extra animal enclosures, a petting zooPetting zoo
A petting zoo features a combination of domestic animals and some wild species that are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, also called children's farms or petting farms, many general zoos contain a petting zoo...
, restaurant, and souvenir
Souvenir
A souvenir , memento, keepsake or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. The term souvenir brings to mind the mass-produced kitsch that is the main commodity of souvenir and gift shops in many tourist traps around the world...
shop, each of which offers different opportunities for players to score points. An additional large expansion, Aquaretto, can be played as a stand-alone game or in combination with Zooloretto.
Digital versions
An iPhoneIPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
and iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
version was published in May 2009.
Currently WhiteBear Studios is creating Zooloretto for Nintendo Wii and PC. The game has a single player campaign mode and a multiplayer mode. The game can be played (just like the board game) with five human players on a single Nintendo Wii.
Awards
- Winner of the Spiel des JahresSpiel des JahresThe Spiel des Jahres is an award for board and card games, created in 1978 with the stated purpose of rewarding excellence in game design, and promoting top-quality games in the German market. It is thought that the existence and popularity of the award is one of the major drivers of the quality...
2007 - Winner of the Golden Geek Awards for Best Family Game and Best Children's Game
- 5th place Deutscher Spielepreis 2007
- Finalist Game of the Year in Finland 2007
- Spieleblitzlichter 2007
- Japan Boardgame Prize 2007 for Best Foreign Game for Beginners
External links
- Schacht's Zooloretto page
- Brief game review by Bruno FaiduttiBruno FaiduttiBruno Faidutti is an historian and sociologist, living in France, who is best known as an author of board games. His best known games include Knightmare Chess , Mystery of the Abbey and Citadels . He is also involved in the boardgaming community with his "Ideal Games Library" website and...
(in French and English) - YouTube video of iPhone version