RESEARCH TRANSPARENCY

Rules source library

These references support the expanded guides. Edition descriptions matter: an archived rulebook is not necessarily the version in your box.

Uno

Classic 108-card UNO, Mattel W2085. New decks with customizable or Shuffle Hands cards add rules not covered here. Stacking and jump-ins are house rules.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Chess

Standard chess. The linked FIDE laws also cover clocks and tournament procedures; this introduction focuses on board play.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Checkers

English draughts / American checkers on an 8×8 board. This is not international 10×10 draughts.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Spades

Four-player partnership Spades, no jokers. Bicycle documents the basic trick rules and an individual-scoring version; the team contract and nil options here are explicitly specified casual conventions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Five-Card Draw

A beginner home-game format of five-card draw: antes, one draw of up to three cards, no wilds, fixed counter bets. Draw limits and opening restrictions vary by table.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Phase 10

Mattel W4729 standard Phase 10, not Masters, Flip or Express.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Pictionary

Mattel DKD47, two-team board edition. Other Pictionary boxes, including BJM16 and Air, differ.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Scrabble

Hasbro A8166 classic household Scrabble. Dictionary and challenge rules vary internationally and in tournament play.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Yahtzee

Hasbro C2406. Its extra-Yahtzee instructions differ from some older Joker-rule sheets.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Connect Four

Classic Hasbro A5640 drop-only Connect 4, not Pop Out or another variant.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Candy Land

Hasbro A4813 spinner instructions (2013). Card-based, retro and newer token editions need their own sheets.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Minecraft

Minecraft Java and Bedrock share the beginner Survival loop; interface, controls and some mechanics differ by edition and update. The guide avoids exact button mappings and update-specific recipes.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Go Fish

Bicycle Cards standard-deck Go Fish, books of four. Pair-based children's decks and house rules for a lucky drawn card differ.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Rocket League

Rocket League standard Soccar playlists. Team sizes and interface change by playlist and update. The linked official help and training pages support controls and training; exact seasonal playlists are intentionally excluded.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Solitaire

Bicycle Cards Klondike with draw-three stock. Some apps default to draw-one or allow different stock redeals; confirm the selected setting before comparing results.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

War

Bicycle Cards two-player War, with one card face down and one face up per tie. The insufficient-cards edge case is an agreed house resolution because the linked instructions do not specify it.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Crazy Eights

Bicycle Cards standard-deck Crazy Eights, five-card deal and draw-until-playable procedure. Additional action cards from house versions are excluded.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Cornhole

World Series of Cornhole singles/doubles match rules for ordinary four-bag innings. Team tournament formats and local backyard distances can differ; this guide describes singles pitches.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Fortnite Battle Royale

Epic's Battle Royale solo core loop. Fortnite's map, loot, weapons, movement and playlists change with updates; consult the live in-game playlist for current details. Zero Build is discussed only as a comparison.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Mario Kart

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch, Grand Prix mode. Controller assignments below the surface and other Mario Kart titles differ.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Among Us

Among Us Classic mode core roles, with custom lobby settings and added roles varying. Innersloth's official game overview describes 4–15 players; current role counts and map choices belong to the lobby.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Roblox Obby

Roblox Classic Obby template as an illustrative course. Every user-created obby can change hazards, checkpoints, control mechanics and finish conditions, so follow its displayed instructions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Backgammon

Standard backgammon checker movement and basic single game, as described by the U.S. Backgammon Federation. Doubles, re-entry, bearing off, gammon and backgammon are included; cube decisions and tournament match rules require the linked full guide.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Block Dominoes

Pagat's representative double-six Block Dominoes rules: seven tiles each for two players, five each for three or four, unused boneyard, no drawing. This traditional game has variants, including different opening and scoring rules; Pagat is an established rules reference, not a governing body.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Monopoly

Classic US Parker Brothers rules, Hasbro archive 40009-I-Rev 2 (1997). Modern editions can change taxes, components and card text. Follow the amounts on your own board; special editions may change much more.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Clue

Classic 1986 Clue rules: six suspects including Mrs. White, nine rooms, one die, 3–6 players. Newer Clue editions may add cards, characters, movement rules or two-player variants.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Battleship

Hasbro travel Battleship 22678 (2010), basic one-shot-per-turn rules. Salvo, electronic missions and movie editions use different attack systems.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Rummy

Bicycle Cards Rummy (Rum), exposed melds with ace low in this guide. Ace-high runs and local scoring targets vary; Gin Rummy is a different game.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Hearts

Bicycle Cards four-player Hearts, no trump, 100-point finish. Passing patterns differ between groups and apps; this guide does not impose a particular pass rotation.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Jenga

Hasbro classic Jenga instruction sheet for the 54-block set; themed versions and Jenga with extra play modes can differ.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Kickball

Introductory kickball with WAKA rules as a reference for formal play; casual field size, lineup and inning count are explicitly agreed local settings. Consult the current WAKA document for league disputes.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Bocce

Nearest-ball bocce sequence and scoring referenced to Special Olympics Bocce Sport Rules 2024; casual court and match target are stated local choices, not represented as regulation.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Fall Guys

Fall Guys general shows as of October 2026. Publisher updates may change playlists, obstacles and eligibility; follow each in-game round objective.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch, basic island progression. Later updates and Nintendo Switch 2 support can change menus and features; the official Nintendo setup and multiplayer pages govern those details.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Overcooked

Original Overcooked campaign from Team17/Ghost Town Games. Overcooked! 2 and All You Can Eat have additional mechanics and modes.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Sudoku

Standard 9×9 Sudoku constraints, as used in World Puzzle Federation competition booklets. Individual puzzles and variants add their own instructions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Valorant

Riot VALORANT standard Spike/Unrated structure, not Swiftplay or Deathmatch. Agent abilities, maps, buy values and overtime settings change with updates.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Apex Legends

EA Apex Legends Battle Royale as of October 2026. Respawn methods, Legends, maps and queues update frequently; use the in-game rules for the selected mode.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone Battle Royale overview based on Activision's Warzone guide. Maps, Gulag eligibility, contracts, prices and playlists are live-service details and may differ now.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

League of Legends

Riot's Summoner's Rift five-versus-five overview. Current patches may change maps, item limits and champion kits, so this page avoids fixed build or match-length claims.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley basic opening using ConcernedApe's official Wiki, including newer farm-map differences. Platform updates can change available content.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Terraria

Terraria first-day Classic-style play, cross-checked with the Official Terraria Wiki. Version, platform and Journey Mode settings may differ.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Catan

CATAN 25th Anniversary base game for three or four players. Family Edition, 5–6 extension, Cities & Knights and other expansions differ; use their separate instructions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 core cooperative mission loop. Planet modifiers, faction behavior, reinforcement and extraction parameters vary by mission and update.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring base game introductory progression; Shadow of the Erdtree and Nightreign are distinct products. Specific patch balances and late-game ending conditions are outside this first-steps guide.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V single-player Story Mode; GTA Online is a separate evolving mode. Exact missions and controls differ by platform and version.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 modern 2.x base-game systems; Phantom Liberty is optional. Patch-specific perk and item values must be checked in-game.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Destiny 2

Bungie's October 2026 new-player orientation and general activity structure. Seasonal content, ability tuning and purchase requirements change; follow the current Director display.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite multiplayer general mode structure; individual playlists and custom settings change score targets, map equipment and respawn timing.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Counter-Strike 2

Valve Counter-Strike 2 bomb-defusal mode overview, without asserting a universal round count across Casual, Competitive and Premier. Game updates may change weapon balance and map pool.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Dota 2

Valve Dota 2 standard Ancient objective; live updates alter hero kits, map, economy and item details.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

The Sims 4

EA The Sims 4 base-game Live and Build Modes; optional packs and updates change available systems.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Nintendo Pokémon Scarlet and Violet base Paldea story on Switch, without the DLC story; updates can change features.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate standard local Smash settings, with stock and timed modes distinguished.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo Switch Tears of the Kingdom, distinct from Breath of the Wild and later hardware editions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Risk

Hasbro classic Risk world conquest; card trade-in and initial army procedures should be checked against the exact printed edition.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Ticket to Ride

Days of Wonder 2025 North America Ticket to Ride base rulebook, not Europe, 1910 or other maps.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Carcassonne

Z-Man Carcassonne 2024 v3 base game, excluding optional River and Abbot modules and expansions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Sorry!

Hasbro Sorry! classic 16-pawn edition, distinct from A5065 three-pawn edition.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Sequence

Goliath/JAX original Sequence board game; player-count and team arrangement per the included instructions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens Original Edition, without Imploding Kittens or other expansions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Euchre

Bicycle four-player partnership Euchre with a 24-card deck; local dealer and target-score conventions flagged.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Heads Up!

Ellen Digital Ventures Heads Up! mobile app; deck and control details may change with updates.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Twister

Hasbro classic Twister mat/spinner format; exact edition instructions govern crowded-circle exceptions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Horseshoes

NHPA 2016 published playing rules scoring concepts, with recreational distances and target score treated as explicit local choices.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Ladder Toss

Ladder Golf brand standard three-bola play; score values and exact-finish rule should match the equipment’s included instructions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Word Search

Conventional printed word-search rules, explicitly subject to the individual puzzle’s directions.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Gin Rummy

Bicycle two-player Gin Rummy standard rules; not Oklahoma Gin or a tournament scoring variant.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Old Maid

Bicycle standard-deck Old Maid with one queen removed.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Snap

Bicycle standard-deck Snap, with tie/penalty details governed by its printed rules.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Cribbage

American Cribbage Congress 2025 two-player tournament rulebook; friendly games may omit its tournament-specific conduct procedures.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Mancala

Kalah six-pit, four-stones-per-pit version; not a universal set of mancala rules.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Othello (Reversi)

World Othello Federation standard English rules for an 8×8 Othello game.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Guess Who?

Hasbro Guess Who? Classic C2124 tabletop board set, not the card game or a licensed character variant.

Document check: 2026-10-13. Not a play-test claim.

Operation

Hasbro B2176 downloadable sheet marked ©2021, with 12 ailments and 12 cards. The linked product landing page describes a different component mix; the PDF governs this guide.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Taboo

Hasbro A4626 English 2013 rules, classic play. The included die introduces optional variations; newer editions may use different components.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Sardines

Playworks Sardines basic format. Safe gathering-space adaptation described separately; no universal tournament rulebook.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Freeze Dance

Adapted from Playworks Dance Freeze: shared music/stop mechanic, with immediate rejoining replacing its exercise reset. Not an elimination ruleset.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Scavenger Hunt

Cooperative list hunt based on Playworks Go for a Walk Games. Boundaries, evidence and end time are host choices; commercial hunt kits may specify other rules.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Two Truths and a Lie

Scouts Two Truths and One Lie icebreaker, with an explicit pass option and optional scoring kept separate.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Would You Rather?

Unscored spoken house format. The Scouts source demonstrates choosing and discussing two alternatives in a themed educational activity; its equipment and homelessness lesson are not required here.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

The Floor Is Lava

Scouts Play the Floor Is Lava team activity; stable nonslip marker substitution is a safety adaptation. Not the television contest or commercial boxed game.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Memory Match

Ravensburger memory standard picture-pair play, using the 21204 English rules; special themed modes and the 22171 nine-pair tiebreak are separate options.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Dots and Boxes

Traditional rectangular Dots and Boxes with an extra move after a completed box, as described by Maths Teacher Training Scholarships. No diagonal-line variant.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Pickleball

USA Pickleball 2026 rules: standard doubles, traditional side-out scoring, 11 points and a two-point margin. Rally scoring and singles are distinct formats. This is an introduction, not the full officiating code.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Disc Golf

PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf, online rules consulted October 14, 2026: introductory singles stroke play. The PDGA Simplified Rules are a separate ruleset and do not automatically apply at sanctioned events.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Mouse Trap

Hasbro C0431, 2021 cheese-wheel rules. Older build-as-you-go and elimination editions differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Scattergories

Classic Milton Bradley/Hasbro 04917, 1988 instructions. Repeated-initial bonuses are optional in this sheet.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Relay Races

Playworks Continuous Relay, a cooperative timed shuttle format without winners or elimination. Competitive track relays differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Tug of War

Recreational family tug based on The Toy Association activity. Equal target lines below are a declared local setup, not TWIF tournament rules.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Marco Polo

Traditional pool tag, declared shallow-area family format; Fish Out of Water excluded. No universal official authority governs this game.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Paper Football

Traditional folded-triangle tabletop game, with an explicit one-flick house format. Not pen-and-paper soccer.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Azul

Original Azul, colored-wall side, Next Move 2018 English rules. Gray-wall variant and other Azul titles differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Pandemic

Base Pandemic, introductory four-Epidemic setup. Legacy, Hot Zone and expansions differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Codenames

CGE original word-card Codenames, classic 2015 rules, team format. Duet, Pictures and app differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Dixit

Dixit Refresh, Libellud 2021 rulebook, three to eight players. Includes the three-player adjustment.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Splendor

Space Cowboys 2024 refreshed Splendor base game, no expansions. Splendor Duel differs.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

7 Wonders

7 Wonders second edition (2020), base game for three to seven. First-edition two-player rules and standalone Duel excluded.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Dominion

Dominion second edition base set, Rio Grande 2021 printing. No expansions.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Agricola

Agricola Revised Edition (2016), standard multiplayer base game. Original 2007 and Family Edition differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Wingspan

Original base-game mats, competitive rules; no nectar, duet or expansion-only powers. Solo Automa differs.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Terraforming Mars

Base Terraforming Mars, original Tharsis map and Corporate Era. No expansions; beginner corporations follow printed start.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Mahjong

Four-player Japanese riichi, World Riichi Championship Rules 2025. This is not American mah-jongg, Chinese competition mahjong or tile-matching solitaire.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

The Game of Life

Milton Bradley The Game of Life, 1991 4000-X1 rules, including LIFE tiles and separate salary cards. Modern editions change money, careers and retirement.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Trivial Pursuit

Hasbro C1940 Classic Edition, 2016 instructions, ages sixteen plus. Other editions may require traveling back to the hub; this one returns you automatically after the sixth wedge.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Qwirkle

Original Qwirkle, MindWare 2011 English rules including travel set. Cubes and expansion modules excluded.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Blokus

Mattel R1983 classic twenty-by-twenty board. Two players use two colors each; Duo and Junior differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Trouble

Hasbro/Milton Bradley 4658 classic 2002 sheet. Not newer A5064 Power Up rules or its simplified teaching playbook.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Chutes and Ladders

Hasbro B7742 Retro Series 1978 Edition, 2015 publication, four pawns. A4756 may contain three.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Stratego

PlayMonster/Jumbo Stratego Original 7476, 2019, forty pieces each with Marshal ten and Spy one. Older reverse-number editions differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Mastermind

Pressman Advanced Mastermind 4016-0710 (2005): five code positions, eight colors and twelve guesses. Standard four-position Mastermind boxes differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Slapjack

Bicycle standard-deck Slapjack; no doubles, sandwiches or face-card challenges.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Spoons

Bicycle continuous-passing Spoons; five-letter elimination, not immediate elimination after one missed spoon.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Kings in the Corner

Bicycle Kings Corner, draw at the beginning; single-deal victory.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Speed

Five-card-hand Speed documented by Pagat: 15-card personal allocations and ten-card center reserves; not five-tableau Spit.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Egyptian Rat Screw

52-card ERS with doubles and sandwiches only, J/Q/K/A challenges; extra slap patterns excluded by table agreement.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

President

Pagat basic President: 2 highest, suits irrelevant, equal-size sets, passes permit re-entry; no bombs or revolutions.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Skip-Bo

Mattel 42050 classic 162-card Skip-Bo, individual play. Partnership rules are separate.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Apples to Apples

Mattel BGG15 sheet (2013): five red cards, first to four green cards. Other Party Box printings differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Telestrations

The Op 8-player Second Edition, 2025: self-selected prompts, no die or compulsory timer. Older timed editions differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Cards Against Humanity

Publisher’s adult basic rules sheet marked 3.0; not Family Edition. Optional point gambling and joke house rules excluded.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Catch Phrase

Hasbro Electronic Catch Phrase Second Edition, 41461-I (2004/2005), bonus final guess; not Ultimate’s timed-passing variant.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Blackjack

American hole-card blackjack introduction; practice rules stand on all 17s and pay naturals 3:2. Casino rules vary.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Baccarat

Punto Banco / mini-baccarat, fixed third-card rules and ordinary Player/Banker/Tie bets. Not chemin de fer or side-bet variants.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Texas Hold'em

Standard high-hand No-Limit Texas Hold’em, 52 cards, no wilds. Not short deck or Omaha.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Contract Bridge

Four-player contract bridge introduction using duplicate-style deal scoring. Rubber and Chicago session scores differ; bidding systems are partnership agreements.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Canasta

Classic four-player partnership Canasta, 108 cards, one canasta required to go out. Not Modern American Canasta.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Parcheesi

Winning Moves Classic Parcheesi, 2007 sheet, two dice; not Ludo or Parchís.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Chinese Checkers

Winning Moves ten-marble Chinese Checkers with adjacent jumps. Multi-set variants are separate choices.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Power Grid

Power Grid Recharged, base Germany map, three-to-six-player procedure. Two-player Against the Trust and USA exceptions use dedicated sections.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Root

Root base four-faction overview, autumn standard setup, checked against October 2025 Law. Full faction-board procedures remain necessary.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Spirit Island

Core cooperative Spirit Island, introductory board without adversaries/scenarios/events; includes official extra-Blight setup erratum.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Scythe

Base multiplayer Scythe, five original factions. Automa/expansions need additional rules; current publisher guidance overrides early printings.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Physical 60-card Pokémon TCG introduction based on Sword & Shield—Evolving Skies official rulebook (2021); not Pokémon TCG Pocket. Newer card mechanics and current tournament legality need current resources.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Magic: The Gathering

Two-player 20-life constructed Magic introduction, using Wizards’ basics and September 25, 2026 Comprehensive Rules; not Commander, Limited or a full rules replacement.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game

Yu-Gi-Oh! physical TCG Master Duel-style field rules, Rulebook v10 plus official 2021 update; not Speed Duel, Rush Duel or GENESYS deck construction.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Mafia

Traditional Mafia; explicit beginner house format for eight active players and a moderator. This folk game has no universal rulebook.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Bézier Games base game; introductory five-player selection: two Werewolves, Seer, Robber, Troublemaker and three Villagers. No expansion roles.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Fishbowl

Traditional paper-slip party game. Chosen format: describe → act → one word, 60-second turns and free skips. Other households reverse the last two rounds.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Password

Endless Games classic home Password: four-player partner game, two five-word lists, double-value fifth words. Not the Neal.fun browser puzzle.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Celebrity

Traditional Celebrities / Hat Game; house format: describe → one word → mime, 60-second turns, three names per person.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Telephone

Traditional whispered-message Telephone, cooperative circle house version. The source’s scored two-team relay is distinguished below.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Soccer

Standard 11-a-side association football, IFAB 2026/27. Youth and small-sided modifications are competition-specific.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Basketball

FIBA 2024 five-a-side rules, introductory full-court overview. NBA, NCAA, 3×3 and informal pickup scoring differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Baseball

Introductory nine-a-side baseball using 2026 Official Baseball Rules. Youth innings, pitching, stealing and equipment rules vary.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Volleyball

FIVB indoor six-a-side volleyball, 2025–2028. Beach and recreational school modifications are separate formats.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Tennis

ITF 2026 standard singles; chosen match format: best of three tie-break sets, seven-point tie-break at 6–6 in every set.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Badminton

BWF 2025 Laws, 3×21 rally scoring in force on the review date; singles. Approved 3×15 scoring starts 4 January 2027.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Dodgeball

WDBF adult foam 2026, introductory overview of the May 2026 full rules. School, cloth and simplified playground variants differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Wiffle Ball

The Wiffle Ball, Inc. traditional no-running game, archived manufacturer rules. Not a strike-zone-board league variant.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Flag Football

NFL FLAG five-on-five youth public rules, reviewed 14 October 2026. League timing and tournament rules can differ; this is not tackle football or IFAF flag.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Ultimate Frisbee

USA Ultimate 2026–2027 outdoor seven-a-side principles; this guide declares a shorter pickup target of seven goals, win by two, without caps.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Kick the Can

Playworks no-tag neighborhood version, with declared 30-count hiding time and ten-minute rounds. Tagging is a separate variation.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Croquet

USCA Basic Nine-Wicket Backyard Croquet, four-ball doubles. Uses the current basic bonus-shot rules, not older synopsis variations or poison.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Shuffleboard

Indoor table shuffleboard, basic Knock Off to 15. This is not outdoor deck shuffleboard with cues and a 10-off zone.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Spikeball

Spikeball manufacturer recreational roundnet rules, reviewed 14 October 2026. Chosen game to 21, win by two; tournament federations can use different restrictions.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

KanJam

Current Kan Jam manufacturer website scoring, plus a clearly declared house overshoot rule because the public page omits that procedure. Standard four-player set.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Mario Party Superstars

Mario Party Superstars for Nintendo Switch (2021), standard Mario Party board mode. Not Super Mario Party or Jamboree; minigame-only modes use different endpoints.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder, original Nintendo Switch campaign (2023). Excludes Switch 2 Edition/Bellabel Park additions and its separate Assist Mode.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO live mobile game, core catching/exploration introduction reviewed 14 October 2026. Event availability, encounter pools and battle formats change; no patch-specific event guide is claimed.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Palworld

Palworld PC core Survival introduction, 1.0-era public documentation reviewed October 2026. Numeric recipes, exact button bindings and server settings are deliberately left to the installed build.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Kakuro

Standard Nikoli Kakuro: digits 1–9, without repetition within an uninterrupted across or down run.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Nonogram

Black-and-white rectangular nonograms. Color nonograms and Mega Picross require additional rules.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Minesweeper

Classic rectangular Minesweeper. First-click protection, chording and no-guess generation depend on the implementation.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Hangman

Paper-and-pencil Hangman with six errors, no repeated-letter penalty, and a wrong whole-word guess costing one error. These are agreed friendly conventions, not universal rules.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Ordinary flat picture jigsaws, solo or cooperative. 3D, mystery and speed-event puzzles can add requirements.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Ludo

Masters Traditional Games friendly-play Ludo: clockwise travel, six-space entry, same-color blocks and exact finish. Many boxed/app rules instead place entering pieces only on the start square.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Bananagrams

Classic English BANANAGRAMS, 144 tiles. Party Edition, Duel, Wild Tiles and My First versions have separate rules.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Darts 301

Recreational steel-tip 301, straight-in/double-out with standard countdown and bust conventions. Double-in is an optional format; DRA events ordinarily begin at 501.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Eight-Ball Pool

WPA 8-Ball, rules effective 2025-09-15 in the January 2026 posted rulebook. American numbered-ball pool, not Blackball, Heyball or bar rules.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Genshin Impact

Core solo open-world RPG, standard four-character party. Events, endgame challenges and Genius Invokation TCG use separate objectives; not a current-patch ranking.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Overwatch 2

Standard 5v5 Role Queue objective matches: one tank, two damage, two support. Open Queue, 6v6, Stadium, Arcade and custom games differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Traditional 5v5 Bomb in Rainbow Six Siege / Siege X. Timers, side switches and match point vary by playlist; Dual Front and limited modes excluded.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Dead by Daylight

Standard 1 Killer versus 4 Survivors. Powers, perks, events and 2v8 can create exceptions to this baseline.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Sea of Thieves

Adventure sailing, beginning with Maiden Voyage. High Seas includes rival crews; Safer Seas has different restrictions. Seasonal reward rates are not covered.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

No Man's Sky

Normal preset with tutorial guidance. Relaxed, Creative, Survival, Permadeath, Expeditions and customized settings change danger, costs and loss consequences.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Civilization VI Standard Rules, base-game victory conditions, solo against computer opponents. Expansions, scenarios, modes and mods can change systems and endings.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Age of Empires IV

Base-game English, standard 1v1 Skirmish with Landmark, Sacred and Wonder victories enabled. Campaigns, variants and custom settings differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

World of Warcraft

Modern World of Warcraft (“Retail”), fresh-character PvE tutorial and questing. Classic, Hardcore and seasonal branches differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Final Fantasy XIV

FFXIV Online, A Realm Reborn main scenario and ordinary four-player dungeons. Raids, alliance raids, PvP and limited jobs can differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Diablo IV

Non-Hardcore Eternal Realm campaign. Seasonal mechanics, expansions, endgame ladders and Hardcore loss rules are outside this introduction.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Baldur's Gate 3

Unmodded Baldur’s Gate 3, Balanced campaign, standard four-character adventuring party. Tactician, Honour and custom/modded games can change difficulty and action interactions.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy, ordinary single-player story campaign. Difficulty affects challenge; this is a spoiler-light introduction rather than a complete quest walkthrough.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Street Fighter 6

Fighting Ground, ordinary One-on-One Versus, default best-of-three rounds. World Tour, avatar battles, Extreme Battle and special control/mode restrictions differ.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

Tekken 8

Standard TEKKEN 8 Versus fight using ordinary round rules. Required rounds/timer can be configured; no current-patch frame values or character rankings are claimed.

Document check: 2026-10-14. Not a play-test claim.

House formats and traditional games

Some social games have no single official rulebook. We label the format explained instead of claiming universal rules. Strategy suggestions and invented examples are teaching aids, separate from publisher requirements.

Report a source or edition mismatch →