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Gen42 Games

Hive pocket Edition

Low stock
$23.00
$23.00

About the Game

Hive Pocket Edition is a highly portable, two-player abstract strategy game with a typical playing time of 15 to 30 minutes. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this clever game features tile placement and grid movement mechanics where your insect pieces serve as both the units and the board itself.

Tactical Insect Warfare

In Hive, there is no board to set up. Play begins as soon as the first tile is placed, with subsequent pieces forming a shifting, connected pattern of tiles. Each player commands a variety of creepy-crawlies, each with unique movement capabilities: the Beetle climbs over other tiles, the Grasshopper leaps over occupied spaces, and the Spider moves exactly three spaces along the edge. The objective is simple yet intensely challenging: completely surround your opponent's Queen Bee while protecting your own.

A Compact Travel Classic

Designed by John Yianni and originally published by Gen42 Games in 2001, Hive has become a modern classic of abstract tabletop gaming. It has earned widespread acclaim for offering chess-like depth with simple, elegant rules and highly durable components.

What Makes Hive Pocket Special?

Unlike the standard base game which contains 22 pieces, Hive Pocket Edition includes the Mosquito and Ladybug expansions out of the box, bringing the total to 26 pieces. It also features smaller, lighter tiles that are perfect for travel, and comes complete with a convenient storage bag so you can enjoy deep tactical battles on any flat surface, wherever you go.

Shipping

$15 flat shipping · FREE over $150

Shipping details

Hive pocket Edition

$23.00

Watch: How to play

Rules of Hive pocket Edition

  • Set up: no board is needed; share the 26 tiles by colour and put them within reach on any flat surface.
  • Start: one player places any tile; the other places a tile touching it. After that, each new tile must touch your colour and not touch an opposing tile.
  • Queen deadline: place your Queen Bee by your fourth turn; until she is down you may only place tiles, not move them.
  • Turn flow: on your turn either place one unused tile or, once your queen is placed, move one of your tiles.
  • Movement limits: keep every tile connected as one hive; a tile under another cannot move until uncovered.
  • Insect moves: the Queen steps one space, the Spider moves exactly three edge spaces, the Grasshopper leaps over a straight run of tiles to the first empty space, and the Beetle climbs onto adjacent tiles.
  • Finish: the game ends when a Queen Bee is surrounded on all six sides; that player loses. If one move surrounds both queens, the game is drawn.

Strategy

  • Place your Queen Bee early enough to meet the deadline, but tuck her beside friendly tiles so she is not an easy target.
  • Keep escape routes open: avoid sealing your queen into a pocket, and watch for one missing space that would complete a surround.
  • Develop Soldier Ants early; their long edge runs make them useful for blocking, attacking and reshaping the hive.
  • Use Beetles to climb onto enemy pieces, especially the queen or a key connector, because covered tiles cannot move.
  • Plan Spider landings in advance since it must move exactly three spaces; use Grasshoppers to cross crowded lines quickly.
  • Place new tiles to build walls that limit enemy placement while remembering your own placements cannot touch opposing tiles.
  • In Pocket, park the Mosquito beside strong movers so it can copy them, and use the Ladybug's up-across-down path to reach awkward spots.

Reviews

4.8 / 5
5009 ratings on Amazon

Came highly recommended! Wonderful Mensa game

Mrs G

My 6yo gets bored by many games but this game came highly recommended in a group I’m in and I can see why. It’s a bit like a fun version of chess. It’s perfect to play with an adult, and it’s a real thinking game. He LOVES it. He has asked to play it at lea...
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My 6yo gets bored by many games but this game came highly recommended in a group I’m in and I can see why. It’s a bit like a fun version of chess. It’s perfect to play with an adult, and it’s a real thinking game. He LOVES it. He has asked to play it at least 20 times since Christmas (last week). The perfect gift for 6yo - 10+yo This travel pocket version was recommended over the other size and I’m so glad we got this one as its so easy to pop in a bag and take to a restaurant or even keep on the table to play at home. Highly recommend.

Reviewed in Australia on 2 January 2023

Great game

ray

This game is great to play over and over with a friend. It allows you to use your skills and is very fun!

Reviewed in Australia on 11 March 2024

A complex game of strategy

Bobbie

This is quite a demanding game, but fun to play. It's really only suitable for kids 12 years and up. The game is more complex than chess. Has a neat little travel pouch.

Reviewed in Australia on 24 December 2022

More reviews (10)

Simple Game: Complex Fun

Samuel Fletcher

This game was a knockout, lots of fun for a game that can move pretty quickly or be played with intense strategy. Regardless of how you play, it is hours of engagement.

Reviewed in Australia on 13 November 2023

Must have game

Bridget

As described. Love this game. Great as can't get damaged so take it anywhere and small and compact

Reviewed in Australia on 17 May 2026

Quick Games that aren't repetitive

James

The game has several rules unique to each bug type, which can initially seem daunting. However a couple of games in and the level of strategy really opens up into a challenging enjoyable battle of wits. Super portable, no board required and tiles feel very ...
Read full review

The game has several rules unique to each bug type, which can initially seem daunting. However a couple of games in and the level of strategy really opens up into a challenging enjoyable battle of wits. Super portable, no board required and tiles feel very duarbale.

Reviewed in Australia on 4 May 2020

Great game

JG

Kids love it, accessible and easy to learn

Reviewed in Australia on 12 February 2024

Lots of fun, easy to play, however lots of room to learn. Great for travel too!

Ross

As per the headline. This game is really easy to learn, but fun to play. What's even better is that it doesn't get boring after a few games, since every game is different. The pieces are well-built and pleasant to use and look at. Definitely recommend!

Reviewed in Australia on 1 June 2023

Divertido

Rebeca Carrillo

divertido, excelente juego. Es como ajedrez pero en una versión mas bella

Reviewed in Mexico on 3 March 2026

A fun, bring-anywhere game

thewhitespace

A travel version of Hive with all the add ons Vs the original version, this set is actually more worthwhile and easier to set up - though the pieces move easily out of place as it is lighter. Take time to learn the rules and you're off to a good time if you...
Read full review

A travel version of Hive with all the add ons Vs the original version, this set is actually more worthwhile and easier to set up - though the pieces move easily out of place as it is lighter. Take time to learn the rules and you're off to a good time if your opponent is similarly skilled :)

Reviewed in Singapore on 13 September 2022

Istället för schack

Huberth hernberg

Lättare att lära sig en chess..

Reviewed in Sweden on 10 June 2025

10/10

MaKar

Super

Reviewed in Poland on 1 August 2025

Great!!!

Augusta

Great!!!

Reviewed in Belgium on 16 July 2026