As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full details on our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Once your group has played King of Tokyo to death, Iello offers two bigger monster games with the same famous dice. King of New York keeps the monsters fighting each other and turns the city into a playground to wreck. King of Monster Island flips the script and has everyone team up against a giant boss. They look alike on the shelf, but they ask very different things of your table. Here is how to choose.
Quick verdict for competitive groups: King of New York
Every monster for themselves across five boroughs, with buildings, tanks and fame. It costs about $70.
Price band: $30+ (about $70) · Check today’s price on Amazon
King of New York vs King of Monster Island at a glance
| King of New York | King of Monster Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Competitive, last monster or most points | Cooperative, everyone against a boss |
| Players | 2 to 6 | 1 to 5 |
| Ages | 10+ | 10+ |
| Dice | Roll and keep, like King of Tokyo | Roll and keep, with a team plan |
| Best for | Rivals who love ganging up | Families and groups who hate losing to friends |
| Price | about $70 | about $50 |
How King of New York plays
You still roll six dice up to three times and keep the faces you like. Claws hit other monsters, hearts heal and energy buys power cards. New York adds a board split into boroughs, with Manhattan playing the role of Tokyo. Buildings sit in every borough, and destroying them gives rewards, but it also brings out the army. Units then strike back at the monsters who caused the damage.
Two new faces change the feel. Stars chase fame, and holding the Superstar card earns points every time you roll stars. Skulls make the military attack. You win by reaching 20 victory points or by being the last monster standing, so you can race or brawl. The Statue of Liberty card rewards the monster who fights the army hardest.
How King of Monster Island plays
In King of Monster Island the monsters are heroes. A huge boss stomps onto the island with its minions, and the team works together to defeat it before the island is overrun. You still roll dice for attacks, healing and energy, but now every roll is part of a shared plan. Who takes the hits, who powers up and who protects the island are team decisions.
The game includes a solo mode and plays up to five, and the volcano on the board adds a ticking threat to manage. Because you win or lose together, there is none of the target-on-your-back feeling that King of Tokyo and King of New York are known for. That makes it a good pick for kids and for groups where losing to a friend stings.
When to buy King of New York
- You love King of Tokyo's backstabbing. New York keeps it and adds more ways to score.
- Six players. It supports one more monster than Monster Island.
- Repeat plays. Racing for points versus fighting for survival leads to different games.
- Bigger decisions. Choosing between buildings, units and rivals adds tactics without slowing the game.
When to buy King of Monster Island
- Your group prefers cooperation. No one is singled out or knocked out by a friend.
- Solo play. It works with one player.
- Younger kids. The shared plan means adults can guide without beating them.
- Table presence. The big boss figure and volcano make a strong first impression.
Setup, length and table space for the two monster games
Both boxes are bigger than King of Tokyo. King of New York needs room for the city board, building tiles and army units, and a four-player game runs around 40 minutes. King of Monster Island has the island board, the boss figure and the volcano, and a full team game takes about 45 minutes. Neither is hard to teach if someone at the table already knows King of Tokyo, because the dice work the same way in both.
Still deciding whether you need a sequel at all? Our King of Tokyo vs King of New York comparison covers that question, and King of Tokyo vs King of Tokyo: Duel looks at the two-player version. For the original rules, see our guide to how to play King of Tokyo.
Which monster game should you buy?
If your table loves competitive chaos and you play with four to six people, buy King of New York. If you would rather team up, play with kids or want a solo option, buy King of Monster Island. If you have never played the series, start with the original King of Tokyo (about $45), which teaches the dice in minutes and plays in half an hour.
King of New York and King of Monster Island FAQ
Is King of Monster Island cooperative?
Yes. All players work together to defeat a boss monster and its minions, and you win or lose as a team.
Do you need King of Tokyo to play King of New York?
No. King of New York is a complete standalone game.
Which monster game is better for kids?
King of Monster Island, because nobody gets ganged up on and the team shares every decision.
