Mr. President: The American Presidency, 2001-2020

GMT Games, Rawstone · Board game · 2023
100.0 Ludopedia 8.4 BGG 1 · best 1 Solo 360–600 min Weight 4.3/5
Buy · from US$ 33.02
100.0 rating Ludopedia
8.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you love political strategy games and don’t mind a few hours of immersion, Mr. President will hook you with its depth and replay value.

Highlights
  • Complex resource management
  • Huge replayability
  • Rich historical setting
Keep in mind
  • Long play time
  • Steep learning curve
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Mr. President: The American Presidency, 2001‑2020 is a solo game that puts you in the U.S. President's chair right after the election. The goal? Push your agenda while juggling domestic crises, congressional pressure, a hungry press, and an international stage crowded with rivals like Russia and China. Each play covers a four‑year term, split into eight six‑month turns, each turn further broken into six monthly rounds. At the start of a round you draw three Crisis cards – disasters, opportunities or unexpected shocks – then spend your Action Points, advisors, secretaries and the game’s "exceptional talent" to respond. Resources are always scarce, so you’ll never achieve everything; the fun lies in choosing where to sacrifice and where to invest. The large board shows Congress, advisors, military assets and eight world regions, plus special zones for Russia and China. Action cards for those powers appear at unpredictable times, forcing constant diplomatic readjustments. The game blends Action‑Point, Area Influence, Dice‑Rolling and Simulation mechanics, all in a fully solo format. With over 150 Crisis cards, multiple subsystems (economy, homeland security, press, presidential prestige, etc.) and varying ally combos, no two games are alike. Playtime averages four to eight hours depending on experience, and a BGG weight of 4.3/5 offers a deep challenge without being insurmountable. Components include a 22×34 cm double‑sided board, 180 cards, 500+ markers, a d10 and d6, plus rulebooks and scenario guides. In short, Mr. President delivers an immersive power‑management experience that makes every presidential decision feel weighty.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

Solo · 1 player
1 BEST

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Country: China Country: USA Decades: The 2000's Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Players: Solitaire Only Games Players: Solitaire Only Wargames Political: NATO Political: United Nations War Level of Command: Strategic
Publisher GMT Games, Rawstone
Designer Gene Billingsley
Artist Donal Hegarty

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

3,191owners
1,653wishlist
211want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How long does a full game take?
Typically between four and eight hours, depending on how familiar you are with the rules.
Can I play just one turn in an evening?
Yes, each turn covers six months and can be finished in about 1‑2 hours.
How many players can join?
It is a solo game, designed for a single player.
What is the complexity level?
BGG weight 4.3/5 – considered complex but well‑explained in the rulebook.
Do I need prior knowledge of US politics?
Not required, though basic understanding of Congress and foreign policy helps.
Are there digital components?
There is an official TableTop Simulator mod, but the physical game needs no digital tools.
How many crisis cards are there?
Over 150 crisis cards, providing high variability between games.

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