Overview

Go Gecko Go! is a family-friendly dice and stacking game published by Zoch Verlag. Players each control a swimming team of four animals – a crocodile, turtle, frog, and gecko – racing down a river toward the finish line. Smaller animals can ride on top of larger ones for a piggyback ride, but players must watch the height of bridges that span the river: stacks that are too tall will be knocked off. The first player to get all four animals to the finish wins. Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2019.

Components

• Game board (river course with bridges)
• Animal meeples (4 per player: 1 crocodile, 1 turtle, 1 frog, 1 gecko, in player colors)
• River/stream tiles
• 3 dice (with animal symbols)
• Bridges (different heights)
• Instructions

Setup

1. Assemble the river course on the table, placing bridges at designated positions along the route.
2. Each player takes their set of four animals (crocodile, turtle, frog, gecko) in their chosen color.
3. Place all animals at the starting position of the river.
4. Place the three dice within reach.
5. Determine a starting player.

Turn Structure

On your turn, choose one of two options:

Option A: Roll Dice

1. Roll all three dice.
2. Choose a combination of dice results to use.
3. Move animals according to the chosen dice symbols – each die showing an animal symbol lets you move the corresponding animal type forward.

Option B: Add a River Tile

1. Place a river tile to extend the stream.
2. All animals in the river shift forward simultaneously due to the current.
3. This can move animals past obstacles without triggering bridge height checks in the same way.

Actions

Moving Animals

• Animals move forward along the river course based on dice results.
• Each die symbol corresponds to a specific animal type.
• Players choose which dice results to use on their turn.

Stacking (Piggyback Rides)

• Smaller animals can be placed on top of larger animals.
• Size order (largest to smallest): Crocodile > Turtle > Frog > Gecko.
• A gecko can ride on a frog, turtle, or crocodile.
• A frog can ride on a turtle or crocodile.
• A turtle can ride on a crocodile.
• Stacked animals move together when the bottom animal moves.

Bridge Clearance

• Bridges span the river at different heights.
• When animals (or stacks of animals) reach a bridge, their total height is checked.
• If a stack is too tall to fit under the bridge, the topmost animals are knocked off.
• Knocked-off animals must be moved back or repositioned according to the rules.
• Only the shifting action (Option B) allows animals to pass bridges without height checks.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to successfully move all four of their animals (crocodile, turtle, frog, and gecko) past all bridges and across the finish line wins the game.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Bridge heights vary: Different bridges have different clearance heights, requiring players to plan their stacking carefully.
• Shifting bypasses bridges: Using Option B (adding a river tile) shifts all animals forward simultaneously, which can help animals pass bridges that would otherwise block tall stacks.
• Strategic stacking: Giving smaller animals a ride on larger ones is efficient (they move together), but risks bridge collisions. Players must balance speed against safety.
• All animals required: You cannot win until all four of your animals have crossed the finish line, so leaving one behind while rushing others forward is a strategic risk.
• Children’s game: Designed for ages 6+, with simple rules and colorful wooden components.

Player Reference

Animal sizes (large to small): Crocodile > Turtle > Frog > Gecko

Turn options: Roll 3 dice and move animals OR add river tile to shift all animals

Stacking rule: Smaller animals ride on larger ones; combined height must clear bridges

Win condition: First to get all 4 animals across the finish line

Bridge hazard: Too-tall stacks get knocked off at bridges