Coloretto – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Coloretto

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

79%

WISE Score

7.0

Board Game Geek

Deceptively simple card game about collecting chameleons—easy to learn, surprisingly strategic, and done in 30 minutes.

Coloretto

Board Game

79%

WISE Score

7.0

Board Game Geek

Deceptively simple card game about collecting chameleons—easy to learn, surprisingly strategic, and done in 30 minutes.

4.8

7.0

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Coloretto is one of those quietly excellent designs that does exactly what it sets out to do. It's not going to blow your mind with theme or innovation, but it will give you 30 minutes of genuine decision-making wrapped in a package simple enough for a second-grader.

The core tension—do I add another card to this row hoping for a better haul, or do I grab what's here before someone else does?—creates real strategic depth without complicated rules. Kids learn probability and restraint. Adults appreciate the elegant design. Everyone finishes in time for dinner.

It won't replace your family's favorite epic game night centerpiece, but as a quick, portable, actually-fun-for-all-ages card game? It's earned its spot in 31,000 collections for good reason.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-14 as a family game, though plenty of adults enjoy it as a quick, light filler between heavier games. The strategy is accessible but real, making it work across a wide age range without anyone feeling talked down to.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Colorful chameleon theme is cheerful and age-appropriate. Game mechanics encourage strategic thinking without mean-spirited interaction. Players compete for cards but there's no direct attack or 'take that' mechanics. The push-your-luck element teaches decision-making and when to cut your losses—a healthy life lesson. Clean, simple design with no concerning content.

Imaginative

The color-collection theme is pleasant but not particularly creative—it's functional rather than inspiring. Game mechanisms (open drafting, set collection, push-your-luck) are well-designed but straightforward. The strategic depth comes from timing and reading opponents, which is mentally engaging but doesn't spark storytelling or world-building. It's clever design, not imaginative theme.

Safe

Essentially zero safety concerns. Pure card game with no mature themes, no problematic social dynamics, no gambling mechanics. The competitive element is mild—players might feel frustrated by bad timing but there's no ganging up or elimination. Very low complexity (1.27 weight) means minimal frustration from rules confusion. No monetization, no privacy issues, no add-ons to buy.

Enriching

Teaches genuine strategic thinking: probability assessment, risk management, and reading opponents' intentions. The '3 colors score positive, rest score negative' rule creates an elegant optimization puzzle that's accessible to 8-year-olds but engaging for adults. Builds pattern recognition and restraint (knowing when to stop collecting). Quick 30-minute playtime keeps it focused. Multiple awards including Japan Boardgame Prize for Best Foreign Game for Beginners signals quality design. Solid family bonding potential with 22K BGG ratings at 7.0.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

That rare sweet spot: 8-year-olds grasp it immediately, but adults stay engaged because the timing decisions actually matter
Teaches genuine strategic thinking—when to push your luck vs. when to bail—without feeling like homework
Quick 30-minute play time makes it perfect for a pre-dinner game or as a warm-up
The 'only 3 colors score positive' rule creates an elegant puzzle that clicks beautifully once kids understand it
No player elimination, no direct attacks—you're competing but not being mean to each other

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What to Watch For

The theme is basically just 'collect colorful cards'—don't expect immersive storytelling or creative world-building
Younger kids (6-7) might grasp the mechanics but struggle with the strategic planning needed to win
Some frustration possible when opponents take the row you wanted, but that's the game—good lesson in timing

Conversation Starters

"Why did you decide to take that row instead of adding another card? What were you thinking?"
"Which three colors are you going for? Should I try to mess up your plan?"
"Is it better to take a row early with just one card you want, or wait and risk someone else grabbing it?"
"How do you decide when you have too many colors and need to stop collecting?"

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