Quick Answer

To play Tokyo Sidekick, set up the city map, choose your hero and sidekick pair, then cooperate to defeat villains and save the city before the threat level maxes out.

Why Teamwork Matters More Than Individual Power

Tokyo Sidekick is a cooperative game where each player controls a hero and a sidekick. The sidekick isn't just a helper; they provide unique abilities that are essential for overcoming challenges. You'll need to coordinate actions between your two characters to maximize efficiency and protect the city.

The game is known for its immersive theme and strategic depth. It's one of the biggest games to come out of Japan, offering a rich experience that rewards planning and collaboration.

How to Play Tokyo Sidekick: Step-by-Step

  1. Set Up the City: Place the game board representing the city. Shuffle the villain and event decks, and place the threat level marker at its starting position. Each player selects a hero and a sidekick, taking their corresponding cards and miniatures. Check that all players have a hero and sidekick; this is essential for the game to work.
  2. Understand Your Turn Structure: On your turn, you can perform actions with both your hero and your sidekick. Actions typically include moving, attacking villains, rescuing civilians, or using special abilities. Coordinate to maximize your impact each turn. Plan both characters' actions together; wasting a sidekick's action is a common mistake.
  3. Fight Villains and Manage Threats: Villains appear on the board and must be defeated before they cause too much damage. Each villain has a threat level; if the overall threat level reaches maximum, the game is lost. Prioritize which villains to engage based on their threat and location. Keep an eye on the threat level; ignoring a high-threat villain can quickly end the game.
  4. Win the Game: To win, you must complete the scenario's objectives, which usually involve defeating all villains or fulfilling specific goals. Work together to achieve these objectives before the threat level maxes out. Focus on the scenario objective; defeating villains is a means, not the end.

Product Spotlight

  • Tokyo Sidekick: Tokyo Sidekick is a cooperative game where players work as hero and sidekick pairs to save the city from Variant Humans. Understanding this core partnership is key to enjoying the game, as every action revolves around teamwork.

    Tokyo Sidekick

    Tokyo Sidekick