Dec 21st, 2025 on

Best Co-op Board Games for Couples | Bandido | Fun, Strategy & Replayability

Hi friends! If you’re looking for a fun cooperative game to enjoy solo or with friends and family, I want to share Bandido, a card game from 2016 published by Helvetiq. I like to call it the one with the most beautiful packaging! Small but full of strategy and fun. So let’s start and see what makes it so special!

Bandido (2016)

Bandido card game box, mega card with five exits and a quick game played, cards laid around the table

Intro to the Box and the Game

Bandido is a cooperative card game for up to four players, and it can also be enjoyed solo. Players work together to create tunnels and then block them to prevent Bandido from escaping his jail cell. The game comes in a small, portable box that holds 69 tunnel cards and 1 mega card, a double thick jail cell that serves as the starting point, featuring either 5 or 6 exits depending on the side you choose. At first glance, the game seems simple and easy to play, but as you start connecting tunnels and planning your moves, you’ll quickly realise there’s plenty of strategy and challenge packed into this tiny box.

How to Play

Setup Place the mega card Bandido’s jail cell in the center of the table. Choose Easy Mode (5 exits) or Normal Mode (6 exits) depending on the level of challenge you want. Each player draws 3 tunnel cards.

Rules Starting with the youngest player, take turns playing one card from your hand to create and eventually block tunnels. New tunnel cards must connect to existing tunnels, and no tunnel can start or end in empty space. After playing a card, draw one card to refill your hand.

If you cannot play any of your cards, you must discard all three cards under the deck and draw three new ones. And if you can play a card, you must play it even if it helps Bandido escape! This isn’t optional! In fact, this rule is one of the most important in the game and is what makes the strategy challenging!

Last important rule, since Bandido is a cooperative game, you should discuss the best way to proceed and plan your strategy but never reveal your cards to other players!

Winning Players win when all escape routes from Bandido’s jail cell are completely blocked, there are no open tunnels left for him to escape.

Losing Players lose if the deck runs out and there are still one or more open exits, allowing Bandido to escape!

Bandido card game box, mega card with five exits and another game played

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to learn and quick to play.
Beautiful design that makes it a perfect gift.
Small packaging lets you take it anywhere in your backpack.
Cooperative gameplay with talking and teamwork.
Endless replayability alone or with company.

Bandido card game box, all the cards, and the mega card showing five exits

Keep in Mind

The box is small and the game starts in the middle of the table, but with 69 cards you’ll need a large table. Sometimes tunnels grow mostly in one direction, and eventually you’ll have to carefully move all the cards, which can break your focus for a moment.
Like many card games, Bandido can be affected by bad luck in the draw. Sometimes the cards don’t come out in a helpful order, and a few unlucky rounds can make the game feel a bit frustrating or lukewarm.

Bandido card game box, all the cards, and the mega card showing six exits

A New Version?

In 2020, Helvetiq published Bandida, which is basically the same game with a few extra twists. I have both, and honestly, if you’re choosing one, the original Bandido is more than enough, you really don’t need both.

Bandido and Bandida card game boxes, side by side

POV

A small game with big personality! Bandido is a great addition to any collection and works just as well solo or even with those who don’t normally play board games. It’s easy to pick up, feels a bit like a puzzle, and gives you the chance to chat, plan together, and enjoy some cooperative strategy. In the end, it’s all about having fun!

Until next time, happy gaming!