Dungeons and Dragons can point to its accessibility as one of the pillars for its popularity. A game or two is all it takes for even newbies to understand the basics of the iconic dungeon crawler. But there are total newbies out there, the kind of folks who’ve never even seen a 20-sided dice before, who may not see the appeal of D&D. For those that want to give casuals a crash course in dungeon crawling, Munchkin was the go-to board game.
And after 25 years, the game is set for its second edition.
Munchkin Second Edition is the long-awaited sequel to one of the best board games for chaotic fun. Much like before, it’s still about grabbing loot, battling monsters, and ruining friendships with a well-placed joke card. This time around, Steve Jackson Games decided to fix some of the biggest criticisms of the first edition, particularly the grindy endgame. Anybody who’s played enough Munchkin knows the age old adage: “30 minutes of fun packed into 3 hours.”
Second Edition promises to rework the game to be the fast-paced adventure it was meant to be. The game will also feature new artwork for the classic set, giving longtime fans motivation to pick up this set. I’ve always loved the classic art for its charmingly juvenile sense of humor, and I’m excited to see it re-imagined.
That said, Munchkin remains quite the controversial game for many board game fans. Despite its clear popularity, many dislike Munchkin for encouraging “toxic” play, or just how clunky some of its mechanics are compared to modern games. In my humble opinion, Munchkin is at its best when you refuse to take it seriously, just as the creators intended.
In my humble opinion, Munchkin is fun when you refuse to take it seriously, just as the creators intended. Much like UNO, the entertainment value comes from how you can screw over everyone else at the table. It’s not a vibe for everyone, but it’s a vibe that I absolutely adore in my circle of friends. Munchkins is what got me into trying out board games besides the ol’ Snakes and Ladders. There will always be a special place in my heart for Munchkin, and a dagger behind my back to betray my friends with.
The Wargamer Discord isn’t quite as old as Munchkin, but can get just as chaotically fun. For some cozier games this coming February, check out the best couples board games guide.