Ravensburger published the first version of thetabletop gameLabyrinth in 1986 under the slightly different title of The aMAZEing Labyrinth. While it is disappointing that such a pun was wasted, multiple iterations and editions of the same game have been released in the years following the original experience. Labyrinth is available in every flavor, with an array of themes released over time.
When it comes to selecting your perfect edition of Labyrinth the theme is usually the deciding factor. A few versions were released with varied boards or rules for new play, however, across the versions the gameplay has remained fairly stable. This core gameplay involves the collection of objectives from around the board and the shifting of movement tiles along the rows by each player. The game is easy to learn but also can be played strategically for a fulfilling experience.
3D Labyrinth
Get the classic with a new dimension of play
The enjoyment of the original Labyrinth but gone vertical! 3D Labyrinth adds height to the mix with towers instead of tiles. Use spell cards to traverse and gain an advantage.
For the classic game with a new flair, 3D Labyrinth offers a twist to the movement through the maze. Each tile is a tower of varying height, and you may only traverse one step up or down when moving between tiles. This offers new ways to block opponents or plot a path versus the traditional flat tiles.
The 3D version is played on a five-square wide grid, leaving you two rows to shift on each side of the board. When shifting tiles, you have to account for the height of tiles being moved and also consider what spell cards you have, or your opponents might use.
Spell cards let you traverse any distance up, down, or your choice of either, letting you skip usual routes by taking a shortcut. To win you’ll need to collect each of the treasures you draw in order and also activate your rune. The gameplay and the spell cards are fairly simple, but greater depth can be had through more tactical gameplay.
Overall, 3D Labyrinth is a great choice for a true-to-form version of the game while adding a fresh element. The complexity is kept approachable as, while height plays a new role, the grid is only five wide. Strategic players can deduce which artifacts others need and block them in new ways by making use of the height differences.
Disney Villains Labyrinth
Experience classic gameplay but with a villainous theme
Bring home Labyrinth with an evil flair! Disney Villains Labyrinth has you play as one of four timeless antagonists gathering henchmen for power. Choose between Ursula, Hades, Maleficent, or Scar, and track down your minions.
Providing multiple Disney-themed games with excellent gameplay, such as Villainous and the fantastic TCG Lorcana, Ravensburger is here for Disney fans. This time you get to play a Disney take on the tabletop classic, playing as one of four iconic villains.
After choosing your favorite evil-doer, you’ll be presented with the time-tested gameplay of the original Labyrinth. Traverse an ever-changing board and track down your objectives, in this case, your evil minions.
Many fun and popular characters are included to track down, like Mother Gothel and Dr. Facilier. Unlike the previous 3D edition, this serves you a seven-wide grid which at times causes long routes through the maze.
While no new mechanics are added here, access to three lanes of shifting tiles from each side presents plenty of opportunity to plan and scheme just like the villains you are playing. This is great for game night to encourage Disney fans you know to give it a try, as who can say they don’t love Disney?
Labyrinth Junior
For family game night or those looking for quick play
Labyrinth Junior offers the traditional gameplay of Labyrinth on a five-by-five board for family fun. While great for younger players Junior is also an excellent choice to play a quicker game using the same fun mechanics.
Labyrinth Junior brings sliding maze gameplay in its most condensed form. A five-by-five grid allows for two tile lanes on each side, keeping pathing and strategy accessible. This makes it the best choice for families or younger players, but also works great forthose wanting a fast game.
Junior makes use of standard Labyrinth play without gimmicks or additions, just collect your drawn items and aim to win the game. The small board means more advanced players can accelerate gameplay to a tense pace, potentially finishing games in minutes.
The Junior release can often be found at a great price as well, making it a great value. Even if you are not buying it for a family game night, Labyrinth Junior can still be a solid consideration to play the classic game.
Super Mario Labyrinth
Make it through the maze while you find beloved Mario characters
Super Mario Labyrinth lets you collect your favorite characters to achieve victory. Look for Peach, Bowser, or the jumpman himself Mario, and be the first to finish your search.
Jump over a Goomba and hold B while you run through the halls to collect all your characters before anyone else. Super Mario Labyrinth is a quality edition of the original game with your favorite Nintendo characters. There are no additional mechanics to be concerned with, and the board is seven wide offering three-lane play. Here the main draw is the themed art and fun cast. The treasure cards are of good quality and show off all the best characters.
With a return to a wider board, long routes can be forced on you again and you’ll need to plan how you’re able to best collect your required characters. The wide cast includes all the mainstays but also some more rarely-seen characters, such as Birdo.
If you’ve played the wonderful party games from Nintendo like Mario Kart or Mario Party you’ll be sure to remember everyone here. Those who have not played many of the Mario games could end up learning a new character or two, which can add to the fun.
Labyrinth: Team Edition
On this venture into the maze you’ll need to work together to escape
When you want to experience a cooperative game but wish for the tile fun of Labyrinth the Team Edition has your back. Cool powers and Daedalus' spellbook will have you spinning as you seek escape from the maze.
Labyrinth: Team Edition stretches the limits of the 7x7 maze with powers, blockages, and a need to secure routes for multiple players. Instead of worrying about blocking opponents with your tile shifts, you’ll need to play carefully to allow all players a clear path.
Blockages can further complicate your pathing in the form of falling rubble. You’ll sometimes pull from the spellbook and be forced to flip and shift a tile to form a square of rubble. This not only blocks adjacent passages, but can prevent tile shifting in that lane.
The dynamic in Team Edition is vastly different while remaining familiar to the classic gameplay. With the need to get every player to collect items you’ll have to use the added powers to open multiple paths of travel at once.
New ways to affect tiles include rotating a tile on the board, which can have a greater effect than you might anticipate. You can rotate a tile that another player is in to release them from a dead end or create a shortcut to an objective.
The new mechanics on the larger board size can make the game more difficult to master, but you’ll still learn the maze’s mysteries given time. The more advanced powers, if added, will provide an entirely fresh take on Labyrinth perfect for longtime fans or those of a tactical mind.
Star Wars Labyrinth - The Last Jedi
Draw the Star Wars lovers you know into the fun of Labyrinth
Feel your way through the maze with The Force and prevent your foes from beating you to the objectives. Star Wars Labyrinth - The Last Jedi brings the wide cast from Episode VIII plus the icons of the previous films.
Not interested in playing with the Mario cast or Disney Villains? Star Wars is for civilized gamers who wouldn’t be seen with a blaster. This release of Labyrinth based around Episode VIII - The Last Jedi features all the great cast of the eighth film along with iconic picks from the previous movies.
You will be on the now very familiar seven-wide board with only the base mechanics of Labyrinth. Nothing here is meant to surprise or confuse, just collect your characters in order and win the game. The simplicity of classic rules can be seen as both a benefit and downside. While there are no cool powers or additional strategic concerns, there is easy-to-learn gameplay with room for tactical growth over time.
If you are aStar Wars diehardor longtime Labyrinth fan, this is the best edition to bring fellow Star Wars aficionados into a great tabletop game. If you choose only on theme, Star Wars Labyrinth is one of the best choices you could make.
FAQ
How do rows, columns, and the lanes of play work?
In any Labyrinth game, there will be some tiles that are either permanently or sometimes immobile. The framework of the maze is built around spaced tiles that do not move to keep a consistent shape and pathing. You only shift tiles that are between these stationary pieces.
For example, on the seven-by-seven board, any side will have four rows that cannot be pushed and three that can. The three rows of tiles with arrows are the lines upon which you can slide a tile to affect the maze. Tiles can enter a lane in any rotation, and will always push out another tile that becomes the next piece in play.
Sometimes such as in the co-op edition of Labyrinth, Team Edition, you will encounter a tile that cannot be moved during play. For Labyrinth: Team Edition this is the rubble that can fall into place, it enters a lane and then cannot be pushed outside of the maze. This can limit your options and even force new routes to be made.
Are all the Labyrinth games the same?
Many of the releases in the numerous Labyrinth editions will function the same in terms of game mechanics. Theming, board size, and addition of objectives can all vary between these releases although they may share familiar gameplay.
Some versions of Labyrinth do introduce new or adjusted game mechanics. Examples are those like 3D Labyrinth adding vertical travel or Labyrinth: Team Edition playing as a cooperative game. Every edition you find will offer you the staple puzzle-like play of navigating a maze that changes every turn.
What version of Labyrinth should I get?
Often your best first buy of Labyrinth is going to be one that uses the standard mechanics but has a theme you enjoy. This can introduce you to the gameplay without many things to worry about during play while delivering your favorite franchise in the art.
For those who own Labyrinth already and want something different, or gamers looking for the next best game to add to the shelf, the team version of Labyrinth is a fantastic choice. It offers new mechanics of play, a co-op experience, and can be played as simply or complex as you’d like.
