Tricky Monkey – The Fruity Jungle Adventure Game

Overview

Welcome to the jungle where clever monkeys compete in a frantic race to collect the most delicious fruit! Tricky Monkey is an award-winning, high-energy family game from Gen42 Games—creators of the internationally acclaimed Hive board game. This fast-paced adventure combines speed, memory, and tactical thinking in a unique real-time gameplay experience that keeps everyone engaged from start to finish.

Unlike traditional turn-based games, Tricky Monkey features simultaneous play—all players act at the same time, creating an exciting, action-packed atmosphere where quick thinking and fast reflexes are rewarded. With hidden fruit leaves, a hungry gorilla competitor, and lucky toucan bonuses, every game is filled with surprises, laughter, and edge-of-your-seat tension.

Honored by Mensa Select for excellence in game design, Tricky Monkey delivers quick 10-15 minute rounds that are perfect for multiple games in a row. Its simple rules make it accessible for young children while the simultaneous action and strategic depth keep adults fully engaged—making it the ideal game for families seeking fun that everyone can enjoy together.

Number of Players & Game Specifications

Players: 2-4 Players (Best with 3-4)
Playing Time: 10-15 minutes per game
Recommended Age: 6 years and up
Skill Level: Easy to learn, challenging to master
Game Categories: Speed, Memory, Real-Time Action, Family
Play Style: Simultaneous Play (All players act at once)
Awards: Mensa Select Honor of Excellence
Replayability: Extremely High

Gameplay Overview

The Objective

Be the first player to collect 6 fruit leaves and claim victory in the jungle! But beware—if the hungry gorilla collects 6 fruit leaves first, the gorilla wins the game and all the monkeys lose!

How to Play

Setup:
All 35 fruit leaves are spread face-down on the table, concealing what’s hidden beneath each one. Each player takes a monkey token. The cardboard gorilla (acting as an additional player) is placed within reach.

Gameplay – Real-Time Excitement:

1. Roll the Die: One player rolls the die to reveal which type of card everyone is searching for (specific fruit types, toucan, or gorilla).
2. Simultaneous Action: ALL players act at the same time! Quickly place your monkey token on a face-down fruit leaf that you think matches what the die shows. Speed and memory are crucial!
3. Reveal: Once all players have placed their monkey tokens, flip over the selected leaves to see who guessed correctly.
4. Collect or Lose:
   • Correct guess: Take the fruit leaf and add it to your collection
   • Find a Toucan: Bonus! Get extra opportunities to collect more fruit
   • Find a Gorilla: Danger! The gorilla takes the leaf and adds it to his collection
   • Wrong guess: No fruit for you this round
5. Race to Six: The first to collect 6 fruit leaves wins—but if the gorilla reaches 6 first, all players lose!

Key Gameplay Elements

Simultaneous Play: Everyone plays at the same time, creating constant engagement with zero downtime. No waiting for your turn—the action never stops!

Memory Component: Remember which leaves have been revealed. Use your memory to make smarter choices about which face-down leaves to select.

Speed Element: Think fast and act faster! Quick decision-making is rewarded in this real-time game.

Tactical Decisions: Balance risk and reward. Do you go for the leaf you’re confident about, or take a chance on an unknown one?

The Gorilla Threat: This isn’t just player vs. player—you’re also competing against the hungry gorilla who can steal fruits and even win the game!

Lucky Toucans: These colorful birds bring good fortune, offering bonus opportunities to expand your fruit collection.

What Makes It Unique

Real-Time Action: Unlike most board games where players take turns, Tricky Monkey has everyone playing simultaneously, creating exciting, fast-paced gameplay that keeps all players constantly engaged.

Short & Sweet: With 10-15 minute game sessions, it’s perfect for quick family fun or playing multiple rounds to determine the ultimate jungle champion.

Scalable Challenge: Simple enough for 6-year-olds to grasp immediately, yet the memory and speed elements provide genuine challenge for older children and adults.

Social Interaction: The simultaneous action creates hilarious moments of confusion, celebration, and friendly competition as everyone scrambles to make the best choice.

What’s in the Box

Tricky Monkey includes colorful, high-quality components designed for active gameplay:

Complete Components:

✓ 1 Custom Die

• Shows different fruit types and special symbols
• Determines what players search for each round
• Easy to read, child-friendly design

✓ 4 Monkey Tokens

• One for each player
• Used to claim fruit leaves
• Durable construction for repeated use

✓ 35 Fruit Leaves

• Colorful, double-sided cards
• Feature various fruits, toucans, and gorillas
• Face-down during play to create mystery and memory challenge

✓ 1 Cardboard Gorilla

• Stand-up gorilla figure
• Acts as an additional competitor
• Collects fruit leaves that work against the players

✓ Multi-Language Rules

• Clear, illustrated instructions
• Multiple language options included
• Quick-reference guide for easy setup

All components feature vibrant jungle-themed artwork that brings the game to life and appeals to children and families.

Key Features & Benefits

Award-Winning Quality

★ Mensa Select Honored – Recognized for excellence in game design by the world’s premier high-IQ society.

Perfect Family Game

Specifically designed to engage players of all ages simultaneously. Parents and children compete on equal footing, with younger players often excelling at the speed and memory elements.

Zero Downtime

Because all players act simultaneously, there’s no waiting around for your turn. Everyone is engaged 100% of the time, eliminating boredom and maintaining high energy throughout.

Quick Sessions

10-15 minute games mean you can play multiple rounds, making it perfect for before dinner, as a quick break, or as part of a longer game night.

Easy to Learn

Simple rules can be explained in under 2 minutes. First-time players are ready to compete immediately—no complex strategies to memorize before playing.

Develops Important Skills

• Memory: Strengthen recall by remembering revealed leaves
• Speed: Improve reaction time and quick decision-making
• Focus: Maintain concentration under pressure
• Pattern Recognition: Spot trends and make educated guesses
• Risk Assessment: Evaluate options quickly and make smart choices

High Replayability

The random placement of fruit leaves ensures every game is completely different. The combination of memory, luck, and speed creates unique experiences each time you play.

Compact & Portable

Small box size makes it easy to take along for travel, camping trips, family gatherings, or anywhere you want quick, engaging entertainment.

Active Gameplay

The simultaneous action and physical component of placing tokens creates energetic, animated gameplay that gets everyone moving and laughing.

Who Should Play Tricky Monkey?

Perfect For:

✓ Families with Young Children – Ages 6+ can fully participate and often outperform adults
✓ Parents Seeking Screen-Free Fun – Engaging alternative to video games and tablets
✓ Birthday Parties – Quick rounds perfect for party settings with multiple children
✓ Game Night Starters – Great warm-up game that gets everyone energized
✓ Grandparents & Grandkids – Simple rules bridge age gaps beautifully
✓ Classrooms & Youth Groups – Teaches memory and quick thinking in fun format
✓ Travel Enthusiasts – Compact size ideal for vacations and trips
✓ Speed Game Fans – Perfect for those who love fast-paced, real-time competition
✓ Memory Game Lovers – Tests and develops memory skills in exciting way
✓ Casual Gamers – Accessible entry point for non-gamers and newcomers