What is Pokémon Babanuki
Pokémon Babanuki (ポケモンババ抜き) is a card deck made by The Pokémon Company and sold only at Pokémon Center stores in Japan. It came out in May 2019 in a red box, which is why it is known as the Red version, as opposed to Super High Tension, released in 2023.
In Japan, Babanuki is as well known as Old Maid is in Europe. The cards come in pairs plus one odd card, the “baba”, and whoever is left holding it at the end loses. In this version the cards are first-generation Pokémon (Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Eevee, Meowth, Psyduck, Jigglypuff and Mew, among others) and the card nobody wants is Gengar.
How to play
- 1
Deal
Deal all the cards out between the players. - 2
First pairs
Each player checks their hand and discards any pairs they already have. - 3
Draw
On your turn, draw a card without looking from the hand of the player next to you. If it makes a pair, discard it. - 4
Keep going
Carry on until only one card is left in play. - 5
Lose
Whoever is left holding Gengar loses the game.
What makes it different: you have to shout the Pokémon's cry
Here is the twist on regular Old Maid: every time you draw a card, you have to say the cry of the Pokémon you got out loud. Each card has it printed in big letters: Pikachu is “Pi~ka~!”, and if you draw Gengar you have to shout “Ge~nga~!”.
That changes the whole game. In regular Old Maid the fun is in keeping a straight face. Here, if you draw Gengar, everyone knows you have it. From then on the game is about who manages to get rid of it and who gets stuck with it.
Who it is for
| Pokémon Babanuki Red | |
|---|---|
| Age | 4 and up, according to Pokémon Center |
| Players | A group game, for families or friends |
| Box size | About 11 × 6 × 2 cm, fits anywhere |
| Language | Cards in Japanese, with an English manual |
| Release | May 2019, exclusive to Pokémon Center Japan |
You do not need to read Japanese to play: the box includes an English manual, the rules are classic Old Maid and every card is recognisable by its Pokémon. It takes a minute to explain.
It is also a collectible
Because it is only sold at Pokémon Center Japan, collectors buy this deck too. The 2019 Gengar card sells on its own, and some copies even get graded. Sealed, the deck appeals both to people who want to play and to people who want to keep it.
Why stock it in your shop
- It is something different from packs and boxes. It works for customers who do not play the TCG but want something Pokémon, and for parents looking for a gift.
- It is easy to pitch. “It is Old Maid, but you have to shout the Pokémon's name when you draw” is all it takes.
- It catches the eye next to the till as an impulse buy.
- It is a Japan exclusive. You will not find it in regular toy shops.
Japanese
