When SPIEL Essen swings open its doors in October 2025, thousands of board game fans will be greeted by the usual avalanche of shiny new releases—from sprawling euro epics with play sessions that can eat an entire evening, to lighthearted party games that barely last past dessert. Somewhere in between all that cardboard noise sits a curious little newcomer called Collect!
On paper, it looks like just another “small-box filler,” the kind of game you toss in your convention bag because it’s cheap, cute, and easy to learn. But the real question is: can Collect! actually break through the clutter? Or will it end up as one of those quick convention novelties people enjoy once and then forget about forever?
So, What Is Collect!?
At its core, Collect! is a fast-paced card game for 2–5 players. The hook? It’s all about gathering sets of symbols from a shared supply, squeezing every last point and resource out of your choices. Think drafting meets pattern-making—but with a twist.
Instead of just snatching and scoring, the cards here can spark chain reactions. One move may nudge the tableau, shift the available options, or trigger a ripple of effects that reshuffle everyone’s plans. It’s not designed to be a party-laughs game; the early word is that it leans more puzzly, closer to quiet strategy than table banter. If you’ve played Sushi Go! or Point Salad, you’ve got the right weight class in mind—but imagine something a bit knottier.
Why Mini Games Are Having a Moment
If you’ve walked around Essen in recent years, you know: small games are everywhere. And it’s no wonder why.
- They’re easy to learn—a five-minute rules run and you’re in.
- They’re portable—tiny boxes that actually fit in your bag or even your pocket.
- And, most importantly, they’re affordable—usually under €20, which makes them the perfect impulse buy when your wallet is already feeling the weight of a few big-box monsters.
By that metric, Collect! is almost guaranteed to end up in plenty of shopping bags just by being in the right place, with the right price point. The challenge is whether it can stick around on game tables long after Essen is over.
The Big Question: Can It Stand Out?
Here’s the thing about small-box card games: most of them are fun. The issue is that many are fun once. They play well in the moment, then slowly disappear into the back of your shelf.
If Collect! wants to avoid that fate, it needs a little extra spark—something special to call its own. That could mean:
- Replay value—interesting enough combos and decisions that you want to come back.
- Personality—artwork and design that make it instantly recognizable.
- Interaction—more than just playing your own little puzzle solo while others do the same.
If those chain reactions feel clever, dynamic, and just chaotic enough, this game could make the leap from “filler” to “favorite.”
How Does It Compare?
A few small-box hits have already shown what it takes to carve out a spot in the canon:
- Sushi Go! gave us easy drafting wrapped in a cheerful theme people couldn’t resist.
- Ganz Schön Clever showed that even a tiny roll-and-write could deliver brain-busting strategy.
- Scout stunned players with its minimalist card system and went on to grab awards.
Collect! seems to put its chips on the chain reaction mechanic—if it pays off, that could be enough to separate it from the dozens of “grab cards, make sets” games out there.
Final Thoughts
So, is Collect! the next pocket-sized darling of SPIEL 2025, or just another fun-for-a-minute impulse pick? Right now it’s hard to say. The rules sound approachable, the price point will almost certainly be right, and the chain-reaction system hints at something intriguing beneath the surface.
If it nails the balance between fast and meaningful, this could be one of those hidden gems people talk about long after the convention lights go out. But if the puzzle feels too shallow—or the spark isn’t strong enough—it risks fading into the noise of the crowded “minis” shelf.
Quick Facts
- Release: October 2025, debuting at SPIEL Essen.
- Players: 2–5.
- Style: A tactical, set-collecting card game—not a party game.
- Audience: Perfect for casual players, families, or hobbyists looking for a smart filler between heavier titles.
So, what do you think—will Collect! earn a place on your shelf, or will you be too busy chasing down the next big-box strategy beast at Essen?