Ninety Nine is a simple number-climbing card game…
…with a very cute Pokémon makeover.
Ninety Nine Game Overview
Players take turns playing cards to raise, lower, or manipulate a shared running total. Each card has a numeric value or a special effect, and you’re trying to keep the total at 99 or below.
If you can’t play a card without pushing the total over 99, you’re out.
How Do You Win?
You stay in as long as you can legally play a card. The last player remaining wins the round. When a player has won enough rounds they win the game..
Main Mechanisms
This is a hand-management and push-your-luck game. You’re always balancing the risk of raising the total with the need to clear awkward cards from your hand.
USP
The Pokémon theme adds charm but doesn’t change the gameplay. It’s a classic filler card game with a cute coat of paint.
Theme
Purely cosmetic. The Pokémon art is appealing, but the game itself stays abstract.
Setup
Shuffle the cards and deal each player a hand. That’s it.
Components & Artwork
The artwork is the highlight here. The cards are colourful and feature a wide range of Pokémon, making it more engaging than a standard deck. Production quality is solid and fits the playful theme.
Ease of Teaching
Extremely easy. One minute to explain, and players understand it after a couple of turns.
Similar Games
Lobo 77 has the same gameplay style of avoiding busting out as the total rises.
Ninety Nine (Korean Pokémon Edition) Review
Positives
The cute artwork makes the game instantly appealing.
Fun, fast, and easy to play with any group.
Negatives
Very light, with minimal strategy. You’re basically playing the highest card you can play so it is very ‘luck of the draw’.
Not much of a game beyond the basic number-managing gimmick.
Summary
Ninety Nine (Korean Pokémon Edition) is a charming, ultra-light filler that’s fun in the moment but doesn’t offer much depth. Great for a quick laugh, but not one you’ll reach for when you want a proper game.