Anticipation is a video board game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Rare and published by Nintendo in 1988. It supports one to four players, offering a social, party-style experience with computer-controlled opponents.
Gameplay centers on a looping game board where each turn follows a die roll. The die counts down from six to zero as a sketch is gradually drawn, and the first player to buzz in must spell the answer using on-screen letters within 25 seconds. Correct answers earn the corresponding color card and move the player's token forward by the die value. The board is divided into four color categories per levelâblue, green, pink, and yellowâand collecting all four colors on a level advances the player to the next board. Easy and Medium boards present three levels, while Hard and Very Hard boards add a fourth level with gaps; landing on a removed space drops you back to the third level, though earned colors are retained. On higher levels, gray Feature Squares trigger additional puzzle play as the token moves around the board.
Anticipation offers single-player games against computer opponents or multiplayer for up to four players; the title does not support the four-player adapter hardware commonly used for simultaneous play.
Who itâs for: This title is well suited to collectors and players who enjoy puzzle- and party-style gameplay, combining quick rounds, sketch-based visual clues, and competitive word-guessing with friends or family.
Platform notes: The game presents a 2D sprite-based style typical of the era and was distributed on a cartridge for offline local play. Rounds are short and accessible, focusing on puzzle-solving, rapid recognition, and social competition rather than long-form campaigns or narrative depth.
