Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam cover
2024BGG rank #4,387

Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam

by John Brieger, Michael Dunsmore, Tony Miller · Allplay

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Players2–4
Time20–35m
ComplexityLight
Age6+

About the game

What is Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam?

It's cherry blossom season. As the beautiful sakura petals fall, a calm tranquility lingers in the air. It's the perfect calm before the storm: welcome to the Sakura Slam! In this standalone sequel to Kabuto Sumo, players return as the wrestling Kabutomushi ("helmet bugs") and compete to knock off their opponents on an all-new square arena. The coin-pushing mechanic returns, but with a new platform, characters, pillars, and powers. New Arena Features: Notched Pushing Platform - In Sakura Slam, you must push from the corners of the arena. That makes it harder to focus completely on defense, as you can’t always push your piece away from the edge—this means less stalemates and more body slams. Fixed corners - Four fixed corner posts loom over each match. Using these posts, can you better predict how an aggressive maneuver will play out? Alternatively, if you’re near the edge: can you “rope-a-dope” and use the post defensively? Tagging Corners - When you push from a corner you haven’t pushed from before, you place a marker, "tagging" that corner. Place one on each of the four posts to take a second push action immediately. All but two characters are compatible with the original Kabuto Sumo.

How it plays

Mechanics

Slide / PushVariable Player Powers

On the shelf

Categories

Action / DexterityAnimalsFighting

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?