Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The ultimate strategic duel for those seeking intense, fast-paced mental combat.
Highlights
- Pure and deep strategy
- Fast and intense matches
- Value-packed expansions
- Brilliant card mechanic
Keep in mind
- Strictly for two players
- Requires intense focus
Rules manual not indexed yet
Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
What you do in a play session
If you love head-to-head mental battles where one tiny slip-up costs you the game, get your brain ready! Onitama Big Box is the ultimate version of this pure strategy classic. Set in the misty mountains of Japan, the theme is beautiful, but the real star is the mechanic: you and your opponent compete on a 5x5 board, aiming to capture the opponent's master pawn or reach their starting space. The genius lies in the movement card management. You have a set of cards defining how your pieces move, but here's the twist: when you use a card, you pass it to your opponent. This creates a constant cycle of prediction—you aren't just planning your next move, you're anticipating what move your opponent will have available next turn. The Big Box is a treasure trove for collectors and strategy buffs, featuring the base game plus three expansions that breathe new life into the combat. The 'Light and Shadow' expansion introduces the ninja, a piece with more secretive movements. 'Way of the Wind' brings in the neutral Wind Spirit, adding tactical depth. 'Sensei’s Path' provides 16 new movement cards, ensuring no two matches are ever the same. On top of that, you get 14 promo cards for even more variety. It's the perfect choice for anyone seeking a fast, intense, and deeply intelligent duel without a steep learning curve.
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Loading playlist...
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Alert enabled!
Join the BoardGamesBot deals group
Get the best board game deals every day — without message spam.
Join the WhatsApp groupGame details
Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Pegasus Spiele
Designer
Shimpei Sato
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
5owners
22wishlist
3want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players is this game for?
It's a duel game, designed exclusively for 2 players.
How long does a match last?
It's quite quick, usually taking between 15 to 20 minutes.
Is the game hard to learn?
The rules are simple, but the strategy is deep. Easy to learn, hard to master!
What is included in the Big Box?
The base game, three expansions (Light and Shadow, Way of the Wind, Sensei's Path), and 14 promo cards.
Do I need luck to win?
No, Onitama is a game of perfect information, meaning no luck, just strategy.
Other Games You'll Like
Based on mechanics and theme