Genotype: Mensa Award Winning Genetics Board Game about Mendel's Pea Plants
Bottom line: The Genotype: Mensa Award Winning Genetics Board Game about Mendel's Pea: 2022 Mensa Select winner plus Dice Tower Seal of Approval; main trade-off: worker placement plus dice drafting is a lot to teach newcomers.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 2022 Mensa Select winner plus Dice Tower Seal of Approval
- ✓ Scales 1-5 players, including a dedicated solo mode
- ✓ 45-75 minute play time fits a weeknight session
- ✓ Includes a 12-page science booklet vetted by Ph.D. scientists
Cons
- ✗ Worker placement plus dice drafting is a lot to teach newcomers
- ✗ Punnett Square math may frustrate players wanting pure luck
- ✗ 19th-century abbey genetics theme is niche, not universal
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Genotype: Mensa Award Winning Genetics Board Game about Mendel's Pea… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the tabletop & card games category. Genius Games's tabletop & card games lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for tabletop & card games of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Key Features
- STRATEGICALLY COMPLEX - In this worker placement, dice drafting game, play as research scientists discovering genetics in a 19th-century abbey. Draft from a pool of dice to validate genetic traits. Ensure the traits you need are available by using worker placement actions to manipulate the dice roll. Employ a cunning strategy to claim the best actions and resources before your opponents.
- WORKER PLACEMENT - Place workers to gain a number of advantages before the dice draft each round and block your opponents from taking those same actions. Hedge your bets by picking up tool cards and additional pea plants, or influence the draft directly by determining turn order, altering the Punnett Square calculations, and even purchasing additional dice slots.
- HISTORICAL SCIENCE - In St Thomas’ Abbey in the 19th century, Gregor Mendel is credited with discovering modern genetics through his experiments on pea plants. Genotype brings science history to life with beautiful art and engaging, strategic gameplay. Recreate Mendel’s important achievements with a game that emulates his scientific research, and learn more with a 12-page Science Behind Genotype booklet, written and edited by a diverse team of Ph.D. doctors and scientists from around the globe.
- CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED - Genotype is beloved by both gaming and educational communities. This educational strategy board game for adults has been reviewed by numerous board game media channels, educational blogs, and notable scientific magazines. It is a 2022 Mensa Select winner and an ATTA finalist, in addition to having a Meeple Mountain GOTY nomination and the Dice Tower Seal of Approval.
- PLAYER COUNT AND GAME TIME - 1-5 players can play and each game takes 45-75 minutes to complete. Also included is a SOLO MODE for a unique, independent experience. Genotype is a family board game for gamers who love science, and goes great in a high school classroom or as a gift to teachers, scientists, doctors, or students.
Full Specifications
| Size | 1 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Genius Games |
| Color | Multicolor |
| Theme | Science |
| Grenre | Science History, Storytelling, Strategy |
| Edition | Standard Edition |
| Language | English |
| Set Name | Genotype: A Mendelian Genetics Game |
| Model Name | Genotype |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Model Number | GOT1011 |
| Power Source | Board Games |
| Material Type | Cardboard |
| Product Style | Classic |
| Container Type | Box |
| Item Type Name | Genotype: A Mendelian Genetics Game |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Item Dimensions | 11.5 x 8.75 x 3.25 inches |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Packs | 1 |
Ready to buy?
Genotype: Mensa Award Winning Genetics Board Game about Mendel's Pea Plants is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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