Happy Salmon
Exploding Kittens, North Star Games, LLC, 999 Games · Board game · 2016
3–8 · best 6
2 min
Weight 1.1/5
Buy · from US$ 8.46
7.4
rating
Ludopedia
6.6
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you love games that explode with laughter and controlled chaos, Happy Salmon is the right pick! It's pure real-time fun, perfect for livening up any crowd.
Highlights
- Fun real-time chaos
- Instant rules, pure action
- Guaranteed laughs for all
- Perfect party icebreaker
Keep in mind
- Can be too noisy
- Depends on group energy
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for the most fun chaos with Happy Salmon! Forget traditional turns; here, the action is in real-time, and shouting is guaranteed. Each player receives a handful of cards with crazy actions, like giving a 'High 5', a 'Pound It' (which is like a more energetic high-five), or the famous 'Happy Salmon' – which involves a fishy hug! The goal is to shout out the action on your card as loud as you can, looking for someone who has the same card as you. If you find an action partner, you both perform the agreed-upon gesture and get rid of a card. The first person to empty their hand is the winner of this frenetic party. It's a perfect game to break the ice, liven up any gathering, or simply have a good laugh with friends and family. With rules that can be explained in seconds and games that last less than a breath, Happy Salmon is pure, uncomplicated fun. Ideal for those looking for something fast, loud, and hilarious, without worrying about complex strategies. It's the kind of game that gets everyone involved, from kids to adults, all together in aquatic madness!
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
3
OK
4
REC
5
BEST
6
BEST
7
OK
8
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Exploding Kittens, North Star Games, LLC, 999 Games, Albi, DV Games, Galápagos Jogos, GP Games, IELLO, Korea Boardgames, KOSMOS, Magellan, MEBO Games, Mercurio, Reflexshop, Rozum, Top Toys
Designer
Elan Lee, Ken Gruhl, Matthew Inman, Quentin Weir
Artist
Linda DeSantis, Matthew Inman
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
17,681owners
978wishlist
73want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the playtime of Happy Salmon?
Games are super fast, usually lasting 2 to 2 minutes. The game is all about continuous action!
How many players can participate?
It supports 3 to 8 players, being ideal for larger groups where the mess is more fun.
Is it a difficult game to learn?
Not at all! The rules are explained in seconds. The challenge is more about speed and coordination than complexity.
What kind of audience is Happy Salmon best suited for?
It's perfect for families, parties, and any group that wants to have uncomplicated fun. It works very well with both children and adults.
What happens when players match cards?
When two players find the same action, they perform the combined gesture (like a 'High 5' or the 'Happy Salmon') and both discard a card. Whoever discards all their cards first wins!
Do you need to know English to play?
The language dependency is minimal. Actions are represented by icons and gestures, making them easily memorable and understandable by everyone, regardless of language.
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