Kakerlaloop
Kakerlaloop Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 game board
- 1 three-dimensional backyard
- 1 HEXBUG® nano V2® cockroach
- 2 loops
- 12 beetle game pieces
- 1 die
Setup & Preparation
Carefully press the four holes out of the game board. If the game board is warped from shipping, carefully straighten it so that the HEXBUG® nano V2® can run from the loop onto the game board without problems. Place the game board on the box insert so that the side with the herringbone pattern faces up. Insert the loops into the recesses to the right and left of the game board.
Each player chooses three beetles of one colour. All players place their beetles on the start space next to the mouse. The goal is on the opposite side, by the ivy leaves.
Place the die and the cockroach (HEXBUG® nano V2®) ready beside the game.
Goal of the Game
The first player to bring all of their beetles to the goal wins!
The Game Begins!
1. Starting the HEXBUG® nano V2®
Switch on the HEXBUG® nano V2® on its underside and push it head-first into one of the loops. The HEXBUG® nano V2® runs into the loop and disappears under the playing surface.
2. The Beetles Roll & Run
The youngest player begins. They roll the die and move one of their beetles 1–4 spaces. They may choose which of the two tracks the beetle runs on. Occupied spaces are counted. If the space where your move ends is occupied, it is skipped.
Example: Player Green rolls a 1. They decide to move on the same track as Blue. Since the space where their move would end is occupied by Blue, they immediately jump to the first free space in front of Blue.
[Translator's note: the German text reads "Nur beim Zieleinlauf dürfen Punkte verfallen", literally "Points may only be forfeited when reaching the goal". The game has no point track anywhere in the printed rules, so the sentence is transcribed literally.]
Points may only be forfeited when a beetle reaches the goal.
If a beetle lands on one of the four raised spaces, it is lucky. On this safe space the HEXBUG® nano V2® cannot catch it!
When the starting player has finished their turn, play continues immediately clockwise, and the next player rolls and moves.
A player may have as many beetles in play at the same time as they like.
Tip: The more beetles are in play, the greater the chance of jumping over one, and the faster you advance!
3. Once the HEXBUG® nano V2® Enters the Playing Area ...
... the beetles' game is interrupted. As long as the cockroach is on the playing area, no beetle may be moved!
The HEXBUG® nano V2® zooms across the playing area and pushes the beetles in front of it. Only if a beetle is pushed directly in front of the entrance of a loop do you push it back onto the game board. Otherwise, all beetles stay where they are pushed.
4. Once the HEXBUG® nano V2® Leaves the Playing Area ...
... check whether the beetles are touching a space.
- If a beetle is touching a space: it stays on that space and the game continues from there.
- If a beetle is not touching a space: it is placed back on the start space and starts again from there.
Special Cases
- If a beetle stands between two spaces and touches both, it is placed on the one that is better for it (closer to the goal) and moves on from there.
- If two beetles touch the same space, both remain on that space and move on from there.
- If the HEXBUG® nano V2® pushes a beetle forward and the beetle then touches a space further ahead, it is lucky! It continues on from there.
Then continue the game as described above. The next player rolls and moves. But beware: the HEXBUG® nano V2® defends its territory and can surface again at any moment ...
End of the Game
The game ends as soon as the first player has brought all of their beetles to the goal. That player has won the game!
Tips
Beginner tip: You can change the length of the game by deciding before the start how many of your three beetles must reach the goal in order to win.
Pro tip: For experienced players, we recommend that in a two-player game each player plays two beetle colours. For those who want even more speed, the reverse side of the game board has a backyard with more and smaller spaces. Anyone looking for a challenge can try their luck there!
HEXBUG® nano V2® Handling Notes
- Please nudge it gently if it has gotten stuck in a corner.
- Help it back onto its feet if it has fallen over.
- If its battery suddenly runs out while it is in a loop, take the loop and shake it out gently.
- If it runs noticeably slower than at the start, replace the battery.
- Never play with more than one HEXBUG® nano V2® at the same time! They can block each other inside a loop and then can no longer be removed!
For use of the cockroach, please follow the instructions in the original HEXBUG® packaging and keep those instructions. [Manufacturer contact details and trademark notices from the printed sheet are omitted.]