---
product_id: 48141629
title: "Z-Man Games | Pandemic – The Intense Cooperative Strategy Game | Race Against Time to Save the World | Simple to Learn, The Ultimate Games Night Challenge | 2–4 Players | Ages 8+| 45 Mins Playtime"
brand: "z-man games"
price: "¥14279"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/48141629-z-man-games-pandemic-the-intense-cooperative-strategy-game-race
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# 45 min average playtime for quick, intense sessions Global map board for immersive strategy 2-4 players cooperative gameplay Z-Man Games | Pandemic – The Intense Cooperative Strategy Game | Race Against Time to Save the World | Simple to Learn, The Ultimate Games Night Challenge | 2–4 Players | Ages 8+| 45 Mins Playtime

**Brand:** z-man games
**Price:** ¥14279
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🦠 Race Against Time, Win Together — The Ultimate Strategy Game for Millennial Game Nights!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Z-Man Games | Pandemic – The Intense Cooperative Strategy Game | Race Against Time to Save the World | Simple to Learn, The Ultimate Games Night Challenge | 2–4 Players | Ages 8+| 45 Mins Playtime by z-man games
- **How much does it cost?** ¥14279 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/48141629-z-man-games-pandemic-the-intense-cooperative-strategy-game-race)

## Best For

- z-man games enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted z-man games brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Role-Based Teamwork:** Leverage unique character skills to outsmart outbreaks and cure diseases before time runs out.
- • **Unite to Save the World:** A truly cooperative game where teamwork is your only path to victory.
- • **Fast-Paced Strategic Thrills:** Engage in high-stakes decision-making with a 45-minute playtime that fits your busy schedule.
- • **Dynamic Gameplay with Expansions:** Expand your experience with multiple add-ons for fresh challenges and endless replayability.
- • **Perfect for Game Nights & Brain Gains:** Develop critical thinking and collaboration skills while having fun with friends or family.

## Overview

Pandemic by Z-Man Games is a cooperative strategy board game for 2-4 players aged 8 and up, featuring a global map where players work as a team to stop four deadly diseases. With an average 45-minute playtime, it combines fast-paced decision-making, unique character roles, and expandable gameplay, making it a top-rated choice for engaging, social, and intellectually stimulating game nights.

## Description

You and your team are the last defence standing in the way of deadly diseases that threaten the world! From designer Matt Leacock,
is a cooperative game of teamwork for two to four players.
As members of an elite disease control team, you must keep four deadly diseases at bay. Work together as you travel the globe to treat infections while collecting the cards you need to discover a cure for each disease.
The clock is ticking as outbreaks and epidemics fuel the spreading plagues. As a cooperative game, players win or lose together.
Only by working together can you keep the outbreaks in check and find the cures in time!
Over the course of the game, players use actions to move between
while treating diseases and setting up a network of research stations that help them cure diseases and make movement more efficient.
Each player manages a hand of cards matching the colours of the four diseases. These cards allow them to travel more quickly between cities or—if a single player can collect five cards of the same colour—discover a cure for a disease.
But plenty of challenges stand in their way. Outbreaks can spread diseases across the board and random epidemics can intensify a disease in a moment’s notice.
Access two free scenarios available for Pandemic: Government Shutdown and Isolation.

## Features

- STRATEGY GAME: Players must work together playing to their characters' strengths as they plan their strategy of eradicating the diseases before they overwhelm the world with ever-increasing outbreaks. A truly cooperative game where you win or lose together
- COOPERATIVE BOARD GAME: Only through teamwork will you keep the world safe from outbreaks and epidemics. Your team must work together and plan carefully to stem the tide of infection while working toward finding the cures
- WORK TOGETHER AND SAVE HUMANITY: Four diseases threaten the world, and your elite team of specialists must find a cure for each of them before it’s too late. Everyone must work together applying their unique character skills to benefit the team—and the world
- LOOKING FOR NEW GAMEPLAY AND ADVENTURES? The Pandemic game line now includes multiple expansions and stand-alone titles. Note: Expansions require Pandemic Base Game to play
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This easy to learn family and adult board game can be played with 2 to 4 players. The average playtime is 45 minutes

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Age Range Description | 8 years + |
| Asin | B00A2HD40E |
| Best Sellers Rank | 3,482 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) 117 in Board Games (Toys & Games) |
| Brand Name | Z-Man Games |
| Colour | One Colour |
| Cpsia Cautionary Statement | Choking Hazard - Small Parts, No Warning Applicable |
| Customer Package Type | FFP |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (18,363) 4.8 out of 5 stars |
| Edition | Updated Edition |
| Educational Objective | Develop critical thinking, cooperative learning, and decision-making skills |
| Estimated Playing Time | 60 Minutes |
| Expansion For | Pandemic |
| Game Mechanics | card racks, cooperative |
| Genre | Cooperative Strategy |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00681706711003, 03558380046875 |
| Included Components | 1 Board - 7 Role Cards - Role Pawns - 6 Research Stations 6 Markers - 96 Disease Cubes - 48 Infection Cards - 59 Player Cards - 1 Reference Cards and Rulebook |
| Indoor Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Is Assembly Required | No |
| Item Dimensions | 30.5 x 21.8 x 4.3 centimetres |
| Item Dimensions L X W | 30.5L x 21.8W centimetres |
| Item Part Number | ZMG71100 |
| Item Type Name | ZM7101 |
| Item Weight | 1.04 Kilograms |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | Pandemic (2013) |
| Manufacturer Part Number | ZMG 71100 |
| Manufacturer Recommended Age | 11 - 11 months |
| Material Type | Cardstock |
| Minimum Age Recomendation | 96 |
| Model Number | ZM7101 |
| Number Of Items | 1 |
| Number Of Packs | 1 |
| Number Of Players | 4 |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Rulebook Availability | Printed Included |
| Set Name | Pandemic |
| Size | Base Game |
| Special Features | Board Game |
| Theme | Strategy |
| Unit Count | 1 1 |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Z-Man Games
- **Genre:** Cooperative Strategy
- **Material:** Cardstock
- **Number of players:** 4
- **Theme:** Strategy

## Images

![Z-Man Games | Pandemic – The Intense Cooperative Strategy Game | Race Against Time to Save the World | Simple to Learn, The Ultimate Games Night Challenge | 2–4 Players | Ages 8+| 45 Mins Playtime - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/711hemLdy-L.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Size Name, Style Name** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: How does this compare with the original? Is the gameplay different?**
A: I've played both the old version and the new version dozens of time (though it's been a couple years since I played the first edition). Most of the changes are cosmetic in nature. The cards and board were redesigned (though they function exactly the same, except as noted). The nice wooden infection cubes have been replaced by a cheaper-feeling plastic. The cards and game look different, but are comparable in quality. The game play is basically the same, with a couple of minor changes. They buffed Light Green - the engineer (who can now charter flight from any city with a research station to anywhere on the board by discarding any card)  and White - the researcher (other players in the same city can now take any card from him, as opposed to him having to give the card during one of his turns). I think they also slightly changed Purple - the dispatcher. The buffs are very helpful, as the engineer was previously a virtually useless role. Now he can get anywhere easily by placing a city for one turn, then discarding any card to fly anywhere for his second turn, where he can heal two blocks immediately. This makes the researcher much more effective because she can spend all 4 moves getting to someone else, who can then spend their first three moves taking cards from the researcher and their fourth move developing a cure. The second edition also added 2 new roles: the contingency planner and the quarantine specialist. The former, as an action, can (one card at a time, and once per special event) redraw a special event card from the discard pile back into his own hand that doesn't count against his limit (i.e. He can have 8 cards as long as one of them is a redrawn special event). I typically don't play with the contingency planner because his role completely sucks. The quarantine specialist simply prevents new diseases from being placed in the city she is in, as well as all adjacent cities. If you have 2 adjacent cities with three blocks each, you can avoid a double-outbreak simply by moving her to either of the cities. We often use the dispatcher to move her around as needed. In summary, the second edition simply fixed a few annoying weaknesses of the engineer and researcher, replaced nice wooden cubes with cheap plastic ones, and added one fun new role. If your original version is still in working condition, don't buy a new game. Just print the new rules to buff the old roles. It's not worth a whole new board game just for the one role of quarantine specialist. If your old game is worn, get a new copy, but keep the wooden disease cubes.

**Q: What's the youngest age you'd recommend to play?**
A: The box says 8+, the Amazon description says 13-15. The expansions all are 13+, so maybe that's why Amazon is confused. We haven't played any of the expansions yet, but my 5yo and 8yo both love Pandemic. We got it shortly after the 5yo's birthday, and at first it was kind of frustrating at times when he'd insist on doing something completely illogical, but he's gotten better in the past half year. That said, he reads way above grade level, so 8+ is probably a better idea - you want the kid to be able to read the names of the cities, etc. I wouldn't buy the game if you only have kids under 8, unless they're profoundly gifted - we got it for the 8yo, and the 5yo just happened to be able to go along, but there are games that would be more suitable for his age - he isn't yet really able to strategize at the level needed for Pandemic. And really, saving the world can wait until the ripe old age of 8. ;)

**Q: How long does a typical game of Pandemic take to play?**
A: I think 45-60 minutes with a strong team who knows the game is a good estimate.  The first games with new players will take a while, even on easy, because there are a lot of little nuisances and details to learn... and if you're playing with a few different strong personalities, you may loose time to discussing the best tactics and strategies. When my husband and I play, 45 minutes is a good estimate, but we also work well together and know the rules of the game.

**Q: Would like a good two person game.  Is this it?**
A: After 7 plays as a 2-player game, I'd say it plays very well. I'd also say that I disagree with those who say it is harder as a 2-player game.  Each player has more influence over decisions and potentially twice as many turns as they would get in a four-player game.  So in some ways it could be a tad bit easier.  The amount of epidemic cards are more of a factor in the difficulty than how many players are in the game.  The infections and epidemic cards will come out at a rate irrelevant to how many players are in the game.  And one of the game-ending triggers is when all of the player cards are drawn - and that is based on how many turns are taken, regardless of how many different players are taking turns.  The disadvantage of playing a 2-player game would be missing out on larger group discussions and interaction.   But it's really not a big deal.  You will still find this game a great value if you play 2-players 90% of the time and 4-players 10% of the time.  That is the situation I am in and I recommend the game.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best Co-Operative Game Going
*by  on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 23 December 2013*

Bought this game after watching it played on Wil Wheaton's Tabletop and have been very pleased to add this to my stack, prior to this game I had not owned a truly co-operative game and to be honest I am not sure I will find another to beat it.First off the quality of the board and pieces is top notch, the look and feel is lovely and having played it a fair few times now no sign of wear and tear has appeared on any of the pieces or cards.The game mechanics are simple to understand and each player has access to a card that gives a quick run down of the basic turns rules/actions on a general level as well as any character specific rules on their cards. This neatly means once you've played it a couple of times you don't need to refer back to the manual. Which is nice.The game has one way to win, which is curing every disease, but many ways to lose which means even when you're a seasoned player and think you've worked out a solid strategy how to win you can be blindsided and lose. The difficulty level of the game can be altered as well using the number of Epidemic cards which is a nice touch so that you can gradually increase the challenge. Also the different player roles make each game different as skills you may have relied on previous games are now unavailable - the random selection process ensures people are forced out of their comfort zone which adds to the variety of the games.All in all this is a brilliant game to bring people together, especially in a regular group of gamers who spend their time working out ways to screw each other in a desperate attempt to win, you won't be disappointed to spend an hour playing this.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spread the word!
*by  on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 5 July 2018*

Pandemic was the first game to introduce me to cooperative boardgaming. It became an instant favourite and still holds up very well. This should be a staple in every boardgame collection! In Pandemic, you must save the world by working together as a team to control viral outbreaks and cure diseases.How is it played?Pandemic is a turn based cooperative game where you can take up to 4 actions per turn. These actions involve moving around the world to different cities, removing virus cubes from infected cities, building research centres and curing diseases. After each turn, you draw cards to help you cure diseases (some of which may actually cause an epidemic which will spread a disease). And then you draw further cards to advance the viral outbreak. This finely tuned balance is what keeps the virus spreading so you have to work together to stop the spread as well as cure the disease.How do you win?You win if:- you cure all diseases (you don't have to eradicate them by wiping them off the map, but kudos if you do)You lose if:- You can't draw any more player cards- You run out of virus cubes and can't spread a disease further (it's out of control at this point)- You have too many outbreaksThe key is to work together as a team and use each of your unique abilities at the most opportune times. It's a fantastic game that combines strategy, teamwork and luck! It's quite daunting the first time you play it, but after a few playthroughs, the mechanics become clearer and it can be enjoyed by players of all ages. If you have more than 4 players, it works quite well with one person acting as a host for the game and offering their insight to things you may have missed.It also has a lot of expansions which increase the replayability of the game, but in my opinion the core game is enough to start with for a while. This really is a great game!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Save the World
*by  on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 10 July 2014*

Pandemic is a co-operative game that sees players work together to seek to cure and then eradicate a number of diseases that are outbreaking across the globe. Each player plays a different role and each character has different skills depending upon which card they draw at the onset of the game. The aim of the game is to travel the world by moving your character from city to city by various means in order to manage the spread of disease before things get out of hand.Mechanically speaking, the game is quite straight forward with initial infections being determined by drawing cards at the onset of the game and then further infections taking place at the end of each player's turn when random city cards are drawn. Players must work together to remove disease cubes whilst collecting cards relating to each of the four specific diseases in order to find a cure. The difficulty can be set by adding greater numbers of 'epidemic' cards into the deck, which means that there are more outbreaks and things are a bit faster-paced and more challenging.This is a great introduction to co-operative gaming. My wife has warmed to board games since we played this and it stops us having to try and outdo each other in competitive play (she is too nice as she sees how frustrated I get when she is unaturally lucky and wins everything we play). Seriously though, whilst competitive gaming is good fun with friends, sometimes it is far better to have co-operative gaming within the family unit.In terms of quality, the board and box are sturdy and the components are genuinely nice to handle and play with. The cards do get a bit worn given time and a decision will need to be taken as to whether protective sheaths are worthwhile. I would say yes but the game does get some serious playing time at our house. When things get stale and the strategies for each character type have been mastered, make sure you progress onto Pandemic on the Brink.All in all a strong 5 stars and a glowing recommendation from me. Enjoy...

## Frequently Bought Together

- Pandemic Board Game (Base Game) - A Cooperative Battle to Save Humanity, Strategy Game for Kids and Adults, Ages 8+, 2-4 Players, 45 Minute Playtime, Made by Z-Man Games
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*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-09-05*