Leaping Lions

Button Shy · Board game · 2025
2 · best 2 15 min Weight 1.5/5
rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy fast-paced, strategic two-player games with a cultural theme and clever mechanics, Leaping Lions is a must-have! It's a game that fits your budget and schedule, yet delivers a lot of fun.

Highlights
  • Clever strategy in few cards
  • Vibrant cultural theme
  • Quick and dynamic matches
  • Easy to learn and play
Keep in mind
  • Language dependency on cards
  • Two-player focused experience
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for the most radical lion dance you've ever seen! In Leaping Lions, you and your opponent will compete to create the most spectacular performance during Chinese New Year celebrations. The goal is to build a stage with increasingly higher platforms for your lion dancers to perform gravity-defying leaps, all to the rhythm of lively percussion.

Each turn, you choose a new platform to add to your stage, or you can discard it to upgrade an existing platform. With each leap, your lion advances, and the height of the platforms you use earns points. But that's not all! You'll also collect sets of musical instruments, pairs of firecrackers, and fans to impress the crowd. And to add an extra touch of magic, use special abilities that can turn the game in your favor.

In the end, scoring considers your lion's final position, the collected items, and the sequence of platforms. It's a fast-paced, strategic, and action-packed game, perfect for those who enjoy challenges with few rules but great depth. Ideal for playing in pairs and experiencing the excitement of this cultural tradition in a whole new way!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

Duel · 2 players
2 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Containers: Wallets Contests: Button Shy Game Design Contests and Challenges Country: Malaysia Game: Leaping Lions Holidays: New Year Players: Games with expansions that add solo play Players: Two-Player Only Games Series: Wallet & Box Micro Games (Button Shy)
Publisher Button Shy
Designer Darryl Tan
Artist Nguyen Ngoc Anh Tram

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

481owners
37wishlist
12want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players does Leaping Lions support?
Leaping Lions is exclusively a two-player game, perfect for strategic duels.
How long does a game session last?
Games are super quick, typically taking only about 15 minutes to complete.
What is the game's complexity?
The complexity is low (1.5/5 on BGG), making it accessible for beginners while offering strategic depth for experienced players.
Do I need to know about Chinese culture to play?
No, it's not necessary, but the theme of the lion dance and Chinese New Year is well-represented and adds a special charm to the experience.
Does the game come with physical components?
Leaping Lions is a 'Print & Play' game, meaning you'll need to print and assemble the cards yourself at home.
Is there any language dependency?
Yes, there is a moderate language dependency as the cards contain text. Using a translated reference sheet or printed cards with translations is recommended.

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