Zooloretto Wins 2007 Spiel des Jahres

Zooloretto, a game in which players compete to build the best zoo while everyone acquires animals from the same supply, has won the 2007 Spiel des Jahres. The SdJ is Germany's award for Family Game of the Year and the most prestigious game award available. Published in English by Rio Grande Games and in German by Abacus Spiele, and designed by Michael Schacht, Zooloretto is a family-friendly game suitable for 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up. Each game takes 40 to 60 minutes.

At the start of the game, each player chooses a zoo with three enclosures (one each with room for 4, 5 and 6 animals). A fourth enclosure can be purchased as well, and each zoo also has a barn and space for vending areas. Each enclosure can only be filled with a single type of animal; animals which don't fit into an enclosure must be placed in the barn and will count as negative points if they remain there when the game ends. Zooloretto finds players making an interesting decision on almost every turn, and I highly recommend it.

More About the Spiel des Jahres:

• 2007 SdJ Nominees
• Thurn and Taxis (2006 Winner)
• Niagara (2005 Winner)
• Ticket to Ride (2004 Winner)

^{Image courtesy of Rio Grande Games}