Disney Villainous Board Game Review
Disney Villainous, designed by Prospero Hall and published by Ravensburger in 2018, puts players in the shoes of iconic Disney villains competing to achieve their sinister goals. This asymmetric strategy game supports 2-6 players aged 10 and up, with sessions lasting 45-120 minutes. The game has earned a solid 6.9 rating on BoardGameGeek and spawned numerous expansions. This review covers everything you need to know about gameplay, components, and whether Disney Villainous belongs in your collection.
Disney Villainous Game Overview
Players each control a classic Disney villain with a unique objective, deck, and board. Maleficent wants to curse every location in her domain. Jafar seeks the magic lamp. Ursula collects souls through binding contracts.
The asymmetric design means every villain plays differently. You move your villain pawn around your personal board, performing actions at each location while opponents interfere using Fate cards drawn from your villain’s specific hero deck.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Aaron Donogh, Prospero Hall, Brian Kirk |
| Publisher | Ravensburger |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Players | 2-6 |
| Age Range | 10+ |
| Playing Time | 45-120 minutes |
| Game Type | Asymmetric Strategy, Hand Management |
| Complexity Rating | 2.49 / 5 |
Disney Villainous Components
The base game includes everything needed for six villains: Maleficent, Jafar, Ursula, Captain Hook, Prince John, and the Queen of Hearts. Each villain comes with their own board, villain deck, and fate deck stored in individual trays.
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Villain Boards | 6 |
| Villain Movers (3D sculpted) | 6 |
| Villain Decks | 6 (30 cards each) |
| Fate Decks | 6 (15 cards each) |
| Reference Cards | 6 |
| Villain Guide | 1 |
| Power Tokens | 80 |
| Lock Tokens | 6 |
Component quality meets Ravensburger’s standards. The 3D villain movers are a highlight, each sculpted to match their character. Cards feature original Disney artwork and clear iconography. The cardboard tokens and boards are sturdy with a linen finish.
Disney Villainous Pros and Cons
Pros
- Each villain offers a completely different gameplay experience, extending replayability across six unique strategies
- High-quality 3D character movers and Disney artwork create strong table presence
- Accessible entry point for new board gamers while offering strategic depth
- Fate mechanism creates meaningful player interaction without direct conflict
- Extensive expansion support adds more villains from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel properties
- Solo variants available through community-designed rules
Cons
- Learning six different villain objectives takes time, especially for new players
- Player count affects game length significantly, with 5-6 players pushing toward two hours
- Some villains are harder to win with than others, creating balance concerns
- Heavy text on cards makes the game language-dependent
- Kingmaking possible when players target the leader repeatedly with Fate cards
How to Play Disney Villainous
Each player selects a villain and takes their corresponding board, decks, and mover. Shuffle both the villain deck and fate deck separately. Draw four cards from your villain deck as your starting hand. Place Power tokens in a central supply.
Turn Structure
Your turn follows a simple sequence. First, move your villain to a different location on your board. You cannot stay in the same spot. Then perform the actions shown at that location from left to right.
Available actions include gaining Power tokens, playing cards from your hand, activating allies or items already in play, discarding cards, moving items and allies between locations, vanquishing heroes, and using Fate against opponents.
The Fate Action
When you Fate an opponent, draw two cards from their fate deck and play one against them. Fate cards place heroes, items, and effects that interfere with that villain’s plans. Heroes block the top row of actions at their location until defeated.
Winning Disney Villainous
Victory conditions vary by villain. Maleficent must start her turn with a curse at each location. Captain Hook needs to defeat Peter Pan at the Jolly Roger. Ursula requires the Trident and Crown at her lair. The first player to complete their objective wins immediately.
Where to Buy Disney Villainous
| Retailer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Base game and all expansions available, Prime shipping |
| Target | Often has exclusive editions, in-store pickup available |
| Walmart | Competitive pricing, ships to store option |
| BoardGameBliss | Specialty retailer with bundle options |
| Cardhaus Games | Discount pricing for board game enthusiasts |
| Noble Knight Games | New and used copies available |
| Local Game Stores | Support local businesses, may offer demos |
The base game retails at $39.99 MSRP. Multiple expansions exist, each adding 2-3 new villains. Some retailers offer bundles combining the base game with expansions at reduced prices.
Disney Villainous Game Mechanics
Three core mechanisms drive gameplay. Hand management forms the foundation, as you balance playing cards immediately against holding them for future turns. Each villain deck contains allies, items, effects, and conditions that work together toward your objective.
Variable player powers define the Disney Villainous experience. Beyond different win conditions, each villain has unique card abilities and board layouts. Ursula transforms between human and sea witch forms. Maleficent curses locations with persistent effects. These differences create six distinct puzzle boxes within one game.
The take-that element through Fate cards adds interaction. Rather than attacking opponents directly, you summon their nemeses. Playing Aurora against Maleficent or Peter Pan against Hook disrupts their strategies while staying thematically appropriate. This indirect conflict suits players who prefer strategic interference over direct confrontation.
Who Should Play Disney Villainous
Disney fans find immediate appeal in the theme and artwork. The game captures each villain’s personality through card abilities and objectives. Playing as Jafar scheming for the lamp or Hook hunting Peter Pan delivers satisfying narrative moments.
Families with older children benefit from the accessible ruleset. The 10+ age rating reflects the reading requirement more than complexity. Adults can enjoy the strategic depth while younger players engage with beloved characters.
Gamers who enjoy asymmetric designs like Root or Vast will appreciate how differently each villain plays. If you like puzzling out optimal strategies across multiple playthroughs, mastering all six villains provides substantial content.
Skip Disney Villainous if you dislike player targeting or variable game lengths. Groups that struggle with take-that mechanisms may find the Fate system frustrating. Players seeking quick games should note that higher player counts extend sessions significantly.
FAQ
Is Disney Villainous good for beginners?
Disney Villainous works well for beginners due to its straightforward turn structure and familiar theme. New players should start with Maleficent or Prince John, who have more direct objectives. The included villain guide explains each character’s strategy, making the learning curve manageable.
How long does Disney Villainous take to play?
Game length varies significantly by player count. Two-player games finish in 45-60 minutes. Three to four players typically run 60-90 minutes. At five to six players, expect sessions approaching two hours as more Fate interactions slow individual progress toward objectives.
What is the best player count for Disney Villainous?
Three to four players offers the best balance of interaction and game length. Two players feels more like a duel with focused Fate targeting. Five to six players extends playtime and dilutes meaningful choices about whom to Fate. The sweet spot remains four players for most groups.
Are Disney Villainous expansions worth buying?
Expansions add substantial value if you enjoy the base game. Each expansion introduces villains with unique mechanisms not found in the original six. Popular picks include Evil Comes Prepared (Scar, Yzma, Ratigan) and Perfectly Wretched (Cruella, Pete, Mother Gothel). All expansions integrate seamlessly with the base game.
What games are similar to Disney Villainous?
Marvel Villainous uses the same system with comic book characters. Unmatched offers asymmetric character battles with simpler mechanisms. For non-licensed alternatives, Root provides deeper asymmetry for experienced gamers. Santorini delivers quick asymmetric gameplay without deck building elements.
