Guesstures
Fratelli Fabbri Editori (Fabbri Editore), Grow Jogos e Brinquedos, Hasbro · Board game · 1990
4–99 · best 8
10 min
Weight 1.2/5
Buy
6.4
rating
Ludopedia
5.9
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Guesstures is the perfect choice for anyone looking to liven up a party with a charades game that pulls no punches. The highlight is the mechanical timer that creates delicious tension, forcing players to be fast and expressive. It is a chaotic, noisy, and extremely fun experience for large groups who aren't afraid to look silly. If you enjoy dynamic party games, this is a classic that never gets old.
Highlights
- Super tense timing mechanic
- High level of player interaction
- Simple and intuitive rules
- Guaranteed collective laughter
Keep in mind
- Can be frustrating for shy players
- Relies on a physical device
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
If you think charades is a slow and relaxed game, prepare to change your mind. Guesstures is essentially a turbocharged, frantic version of the classic party game. Forget about having plenty of time to think; here, the pressure is real and the timer has no mercy. The game pits you and your team against the clock in a race where agility is just as valuable as your acting skills.
Here is how it works: each player gets four cards, each containing two challenges—one easy and one difficult. The catch is that more complex words are worth more points, so the risk is high. After choosing which words to act out, you load them into the timer device and the countdown begins. The goal is to get your teammates to guess what you are acting out as quickly as possible. With every correct guess, you must physically snatch the card out of the device before it swallows it. If time runs out and the card is consumed by the mechanism, say goodbye to those points!
This dynamic creates a chaotic and hilarious atmosphere. Watching someone try to act out "hippopotamus" or "rocket" while the timer makes that ticking sound, signaling it is about to devour your score, is a guaranteed laugh. The game requires coordination, quick reading of gestures, and, above all, a lot of nerve. It is the perfect title for that family gathering or party where the main goal is to laugh and not take life too seriously.
With a well-defined turn structure, the game flows quickly. Teams take turns until everyone has had a chance to be the performer. In the end, the points accumulated from the saved cards determine the winners. It is a 90s classic that has aged very well precisely because it does not rely on complex rules, but rather on human interaction and that fun desperation that only a mechanical timer can provide. Get your arms ready, warm up your gestures, and try not to let the time swallow your chances of victory!
Here is how it works: each player gets four cards, each containing two challenges—one easy and one difficult. The catch is that more complex words are worth more points, so the risk is high. After choosing which words to act out, you load them into the timer device and the countdown begins. The goal is to get your teammates to guess what you are acting out as quickly as possible. With every correct guess, you must physically snatch the card out of the device before it swallows it. If time runs out and the card is consumed by the mechanism, say goodbye to those points!
This dynamic creates a chaotic and hilarious atmosphere. Watching someone try to act out "hippopotamus" or "rocket" while the timer makes that ticking sound, signaling it is about to devour your score, is a guaranteed laugh. The game requires coordination, quick reading of gestures, and, above all, a lot of nerve. It is the perfect title for that family gathering or party where the main goal is to laugh and not take life too seriously.
With a well-defined turn structure, the game flows quickly. Teams take turns until everyone has had a chance to be the performer. In the end, the points accumulated from the saved cards determine the winners. It is a 90s classic that has aged very well precisely because it does not rely on complex rules, but rather on human interaction and that fun desperation that only a mechanical timer can provide. Get your arms ready, warm up your gestures, and try not to let the time swallow your chances of victory!
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
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Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Fratelli Fabbri Editori (Fabbri Editore), Grow Jogos e Brinquedos, Hasbro, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Parker Spiele
Designer
Howard J. Morrison, Jeffrey Breslow
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
5,330owners
60wishlist
6want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game hard to learn?
Not at all! The rules are basically: act it out, get your team to guess, and grab the card before the timer eats it.
How many people can play?
It is great for large groups and works perfectly from 4 players up to almost any number, as long as you form teams.
How long does a game take?
It is quite fast! A full game usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, perfect for filling gaps between longer games.
Is the timer noisy?
Yes, and that is part of the fun! The sound of the mechanism creates the pressure needed to make everyone panic.
Do I need to be a good actor to play?
You don't need to be a pro, but it helps if you aren't shy about making exaggerated and funny gestures.
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