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
Rules manual not indexed yet
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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.
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
1
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
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
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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