Acquire
- Players
- 2-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.5 / 5
- Year
- 1963
About the game
Acquire is a classic economic game where players invest in growing hotel chains, buying stock and placing tiles to trigger mergers between rival businesses. When chains merge, majority shareholders earn hefty bonuses, while all investors can cash out or trade their shares into the surviving, larger company. Careful stock management and timing mergers to your advantage are the keys to accumulating the greatest wealth. As one of Sid Sackson's most enduring designs, it remains a benchmark of elegant economic game design.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editorial team regards Acquire as a timeless classic that still holds up decades after its original release. The merger mechanic creates genuine tension and rewards players who track stock values carefully. It's simple enough to teach quickly but has enough depth to reward repeated plays. A must-have for any collection with an appreciation for classic game design history.
What we like
- Timeless, elegant design that remains engaging decades later.
- Merger mechanic creates real strategic tension.
- Easy to teach despite meaningful long-term depth.
- Scales well across a range of player counts.
Keep in mind
- Can suffer from analysis paralysis with experienced players.
- Early tile luck can meaningfully affect outcomes.
- Some may find the theme dated compared to modern games.
Who it's for
Perfect for players aged 12+ who enjoy economic strategy and stock management in groups of 2-6.
