"Platypus" is a cooperative party game with simple rules and fast gameplay, where players must guess a hidden noun using adjective cards as clues.

The game’s designer included three difficulty modes to engage both newcomers and seasoned players of the "Platypus" board game.

Koala Mode

This is the easiest mode. Before starting, place the game board in the center of the table and lay eight number cards face-down beside it.

One player becomes the Guide, while the others take on the role of Tourists. The Guide shuffles a deck of number cards from 1 to 8, draws one, and shows the number to everyone. This number corresponds to a word on the board that they must guess. Tourists each receive eight adjective cards.

The player to the Guide’s left goes first, selecting a card from their hand that they think best describes the target word. The Guide then may eliminate up to two cards from the game board.

If the target word remains on the table, the round continues. The next Tourist picks a card. If they feel none of their cards fit, they can pass, but the following player must play a card.

If the Guide eliminates the target word before it’s guessed, the group loses together.

Dingo Mode

If the first mode—guessing four words—feels too easy, this variant lets you add as many noun cards to the reserve as you’d like during setup. Play follows the basic rules but doesn’t end after four rounds. Instead, draw a new noun card from the reserve and keep going until you (eventually) lose a round.

Sydney Mode

Three players are chosen as Guides, while the rest become Tourists. Adjective cards are dealt only to each Guide, not the Tourists. As in Koala Mode, one Guide selects an adjective card to help the Tourists identify the hidden noun. At the round’s end, choose three new Guides and discard all adjective cards. This mode can also be combined with Dingo Mode.

We recommend checking out the video rules in the “Video” section and, if desired, diving into the illustrated PDF rules in the “Files” section.

One Last Note

Gallu the Rooster suggests keeping the lively party board game "Platypus" in your collection for parties and family gatherings.

We also recommend trying the best party game of 2019, with easy rules and a unique mechanic—the board game "Wavelength".