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Universe

Universe 1966

Design Alex Randolph Publisher Parker Brothers
5.5 /10
BGG rating
#26795
BGG rank
2.5
Weight
2–4
Players
2
Best at
20
Minutes
0
Age
Game page · 0 prints BoardGameGeek

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My Prints for Universe

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Expansions & Promos

No expansions or promos on record for this game.

About the Game

Parker Brothers pentomino game for 2 to 4. Play the last piece to win the game. This game is an updated version of the earlier Pan-Kai by the same author, to which Universe adds the three and four players variants.

The game box featured publicity stills from the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." In the movie, one of astronauts plays Universe with Hal (the computer). This scene was cut and replaced with Dave playing Chess with Hal. The director thought it would be more understandable by the audience.

The game doesn't mention puzzles, but there are plenty of patterns to try to make with the pentominoes. For example, form a 5x12 rectangle, or a 6x10 rectangle, with one set of pieces.

The two player form of this game was published in 1961 as Pan-Kai

Filed Under

Categories
Abstract Strategy Movies / TV / Radio theme
Mechanics
Enclosure Pattern Building Tile Placement
BGG ratings
32 · geek rating 5.50
BGG data
refreshed Sep 7, 2026