The Game of Life: Super Mario Edition Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Contents
• What's New in The Game of Life: Super Mario
  • Defeat Bowser to win
  • Choose your path
  • Collect stars
  • Compete in minigames
• The First Time You Play
• Set It Up
• On Your Turn
• The Board Spaces
  • Coin
  • Action
  • Minigame
  • Item
  • Companion
  • Pipe
  • Star
  • Bowser's Castle
• Win
  • Spin 12 or higher?
  • Spin under 12?
• Item Cards
• Companion Cards
• What If I Run Out of Coins?

Contents

• Gameboard
• Spinner (dial, base, pointer, cardboard insert)
• 4 character tokens
• 24 star pegs (4 of each color)
• 60 cards (26 Action, 10 Minigame, 10 Companion, 10 Item, 4 Reference)
• 95 cardboard coins
• Storage tray

What's New in The Game of Life: Super Mario

Defeat Bowser to win

This game isn't about reaching retirement or collecting the most money. To win, you'll have to battle Bowser and spin 12+ to defeat him!

Choose your path

The path on this gameboard splits and loops, so you choose which areas to explore and when to head towards Bowser's Castle!

Collect stars

Use coins to buy stars! Each star boosts your spin +1 in the fight against Bowser.

Compete in minigames

Minigames let you battle other players for prizes!

The First Time You Play

Parents: an adult should assemble the game (adult assembly required).

1. Remove the spinner dial and base from the plastic frame. An adult should carefully remove all of the pieces from the runner frame, then discard the frame. If needed, remove excess plastic from the pieces.
2. Place the cardboard insert in the dial, with the colors facing out. Line up the three large notches on the insert with the tabs on the dial. Then twist the insert clockwise slightly to lock it in place. Make sure that the colors and numbers line up.
3. Insert the spinner and pointer into the base.
4. Pop out the cardboard coins from their sheet.

Set It Up

1. Insert the spinner into the gameboard. Slot the four tabs of the base into the holes on the gameboard. Then slide the base forward to lock it in place.
2. Split the Action, Minigame, Companion and Item cards into separate decks. Shuffle and place each deck face down where everyone can reach.
3. Place the coins and star pegs (separated by color) in their sections of the storage tray.
4. Each player chooses a character piece and places it on START!
5. Each player takes: 5 coins worth 1 each, and 1 coin worth 5.

Everyone spins and the highest spinner goes first! Play then moves to the left.

On Your Turn

1. Spin and move that number of spaces! On your first turn, you can choose which direction to go. Once you've chosen a direction, you may not change course until the board splits or you travel along a Pipe. Keep track of your direction by facing your character that way.
   • If you reach a Star space, you must STOP there immediately, even if you have moves left.
   • If you reach an orange space, it's an optional stop – you can choose to stop there or keep going the number you spun!
2. Where did you land? Take a look at the BOARD SPACES to see what happens.
3. Your turn ends! Now the player to your left spins!

The Board Spaces

Coin

Collect (or lose!) the amount of coins shown on the space.

Action

Draw the top Action card, read it out loud and do what it says. Return used cards to the bottom of the deck.

Minigame

Draw the top Minigame card and battle it out with other players for prizes! Then return that card to the bottom of the deck.

Item

Optional stop: If you reach this space, you may choose to stop and draw the top Item card. Keep it to yourself! Your turn then ends. You may only keep one Item card in your hand, but you may trade for a new one if you stop on another Item space. (See ITEM CARDS for more info.)

Companion

Optional stop: If you reach this space, you may choose to stop and draw the top two Companion cards. Keep one and place it face up in front of you, then return the other to the bottom of the deck. Your turn ends. You can have a maximum of three Companion cards at a time, but you may trade for a new one if you stop on a Companion space again. (See COMPANION CARDS for more info.)

Pipe

Optional stop: If you reach this space, you may choose to travel to the Pipe space with the matching color. Then your turn ends.

Star

Stop immediately! Choose to either collect 5 coins or buy a star of that color for 10 coins. Stars help you in the fight against Bowser! If you buy one, pop a star peg matching that color space into your character's base. You can only have one star of each color.

Bowser's Castle

Once you have at least two stars, you unlock Bowser's Castle! Whenever you're ready, make your way to this space to battle him. You don't have to land here by exact count, but if you reach this space, you must stop on it! Each star adds +1 to your spin. Spin 12 or higher to defeat Bowser! (See WIN for details.)

Win

If you reach Bowser's Castle with at least two stars, spin to battle him! Every star you have boosts your spin by +1. (For example: if you spin 8 but have 5 stars, your total spin is 13!)

Spin 12 or higher?

You defeat Bowser and win the game! Everyone else counts up their coins and stars (1 star = 10 coins) to determine who comes 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

Spin under 12?

Oh no! Bowser steals all your coins and sends you back to the start! Your turn ends.

Item Cards

Different items can be played at different times. Some must be played at the start of your turn, before you spin and move, while others must be played at the start of an opponent's turn. No Item cards can be used in the fight against Bowser! Once you use an Item card, return it to the bottom of the deck. Remember, you can only have one Item card in your hand at a time, but you may swap for a new one if you stop at an Item space again.

Companion Cards

Companions give you a boost during the game! Keep your Companions face up in front of you – their benefits remain active for as long as you have them. If you have a Companion with a lucky number, their power is only activated during normal play (i.e. when someone is spinning to move). But if a player completes their turn before you remember to activate your Companion, you miss out that round! Remember, you may only have three Companion cards at a time. You may swap for a new one if you stop on a Companion space again or draw an applicable Action card.

What If I Run Out of Coins?

Don't worry, you're still in the game! If you don't have enough coins to pay the bank or another player, just pay as many as you have. Don't have any? Then nothing happens. Just try to make it to a coin or star space on your next turn.