IDW Games

Machi Koro (Brightlight Big City) 5th Anniversary Edition

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Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City (5th Anniversary Edition) is a fast, standalone city-building dice game for 2–5 players, playable in about 30 minutes. Light and family-friendly (ages 8+), it combines dice rolling, tableau building and engine building as you race to complete your landmarks first.

About the Game

As mayor of a once-sleepy town turned tourist hotspot, you'll roll dice, collect income from your buildings and race to finish your landmarks before your rivals. Any roll can pay out for anyone at the table, so the pace stays quick and engaging even when it isn't your turn.

Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City plays 2–5 players in around 30 minutes. It's a light, family-friendly game recommended for ages 8 and up, built around dice rolling, tableau building and engine building.

Designed by Masao Suganuma, the original Machi Koro debuted in Japan in 2012 and became a worldwide hit. This standalone follow-up keeps the charm and pace of the original but shuffles its establishments into a randomised market, so the buildings on offer differ every game. Released for the game's fifth anniversary, this edition celebrates Machi Koro's enduring popularity.

History

Designed by Masao Suganuma, the original Machi Koro debuted in Japan in 2012 and grew into an international favourite. Bright Lights, Big City is a standalone follow-up published by IDW Games, keeping the core dice-and-build gameplay while introducing a randomised card market so the available buildings change every game. This 5th Anniversary Edition celebrates five years of the series' success.

Shipping

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Shipping details

Machi Koro (Brightlight Big City) 5th Anniversary Edition

$45.00

Watch: How to play

Rules of Machi Koro (Brightlight Big City) 5th Anniversary Edition

  • Set up: give each player the starting coins, starting establishments and unbuilt landmark cards from the rules; choose a start player.
  • Make the market: shuffle the establishment cards and lay out the face-up market; refill spaces as cards are bought so choices change during the game.
  • Roll: on your turn, roll the die or dice your built landmarks allow.
  • Collect income: every establishment matching the roll may activate; blue pays on anyone's turn, red charges the roller on other players' turns, and green or purple effects apply on your turn as written.
  • Build: after income, buy one available establishment or pay to build one landmark; landmark effects start once built.
  • Finish: keep turns moving clockwise; the first player to complete all of their landmarks wins immediately.

Strategy

  • Early buys: favour cheap blue and green cards that pay from the bank before chasing expensive purple cards.
  • Spread risk: avoid stacking everything on one number; a couple of different low results keeps income coming while you only roll one die.
  • Plan for two dice: once a landmark lets you roll two dice, the middle sums become more likely, so higher-number cards can make sense.
  • Use the market: because the offer is randomised, buy good synergies when they appear instead of forcing one fixed plan.
  • Pressure rivals: a red card or two can tax opponents on their turns, but it is less reliable than income you control.
  • Landmark timing: build landmarks when they improve your engine without leaving you unable to buy income cards next turn.

Reviews

4.8 / 5
1639 ratings on Amazon

Machi Koro

Felice Schettino

Great game!! Super fun!

Reviewed in Australia on 7 August 2025

Really easy to learn, very nice to play

Plasma

I've played a fair few board games, so a game with just a small set of cards felt like a bit of a gamble. Turns out this is a really satisfying game to play, and best of all, I can play it with my 12yo niece and she likes it too. Really happy with this game

Reviewed in Australia on 3 May 2024

Great game!

Stinch

Love the game, it is easy and fun to play! Just make sure you don’t play against too many competitive people! (Jokes!)

Reviewed in Australia on 19 October 2024

More reviews (9)

Fun for the whole - extended - family

FrostByte

All the family and friends loved this. Trying to order a second one for a relative but everyone seems to be out of stock now.

Reviewed in Australia on 10 January 2023

Great family game but very luck based.

Garry

This is a great reissue of the original game, the plastic coins are a very nice upgrade. I like this game but it is a very luck driven experience which can be a turn off for serious gamers. Recommended for families or people who are new to modern board games.

Reviewed in Australia on 29 January 2021

Great game

Rock.P

Delivery speed and price were great. The game itself is really fun. Plenty of replay ability and is an easy game for the whole family to learn and play!

Reviewed in Australia on 1 January 2020

Great family game

sandra di bella

Can be hard to learn but a fun quick game

Reviewed in Australia on 24 September 2021

Fun Game

Amazon Customer

Original game shipped from USA. Fun family game to play.

Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 2 August 2020

Fun family favourite

Maeghan Turner

Such a fun card building game for school aged kids! It’s a mix of catan and dominion and fairly easy to pick up. The first few rounds are slow but once everyone’s cards build up it becomes a good engaging game. Some age appropriate strategy is likely to be ...
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Such a fun card building game for school aged kids! It’s a mix of catan and dominion and fairly easy to pick up. The first few rounds are slow but once everyone’s cards build up it becomes a good engaging game. Some age appropriate strategy is likely to be developed over time when playing.

Reviewed in Canada on 14 February 2026

Juego super recomendado, es de los que si o si debes de tener

Linda Cortes

Es un juego muy divertido. Si es tu primera vez jugando toma algo de tiempo entender las reglas para que puedas hacer tus estrategias pero no es complicado.

Reviewed in Mexico on 14 February 2026

Great Product

Jacob Hoffman

Machi Koro is a fun and easy-to-learn strategy game that has become a great addition to our game nights. The rules are simple enough for new players to pick up quickly, but there is still plenty of strategy involved in building your city and making decision...
Read full review

Machi Koro is a fun and easy-to-learn strategy game that has become a great addition to our game nights. The rules are simple enough for new players to pick up quickly, but there is still plenty of strategy involved in building your city and making decisions each turn. The games move at a good pace and are always different depending on the cards you draw. A great choice for families, friends, and anyone who enjoys light strategy games.

Reviewed in the United States on 8 July 2026

Vety nicer game

goh Hock leong

very good condition. box is way bigger than the components though. very nice game.

Reviewed in Singapore on 22 January 2026