Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala vs Istanbul
A side-by-side comparison of two of the most-asked-about board games — using only verified specs from our catalogue. No invented rules, no fluff.
Specs and BoardGameGeek rankings current as of June 2026. Gaps in our data show as a dash (—).
| Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala | Istanbul | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2014 | 2014 |
| Players | 2–4 | 2–5 |
| Playtime | ~40 min | ~40 min |
| Recommended age | 13+ | 10+ |
| Complexity (BGG weight) | 2.8 / 5 | 2.6 / 5 |
| BGG rank | #97 | #193 |
| Designers | Bruno Cathala | Rüdiger Dorn |
| Key mechanics | Auction / Bidding, Constrained Bidding, End Game Bonuses, Hidden Victory Points | Contracts, Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, Mancala |
Both games share these mechanics: Mancala, Modular Board, Variable Set-up.
Which should you get?
Based only on the specs above — not on opinion:
- Istanbul is the lighter, easier-to-teach game (2.6 vs 2.8 of 5), while Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala offers more decision depth for experienced players.
- For bigger groups, Istanbul stretches further (2–5 players).
- With younger players, Istanbul has the lower recommended age (10+).
- On raw BoardGameGeek ranking, Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala currently sits higher (#97 vs #193).
Both are well-loved games; the "right" one depends on your group. Read the full entries for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala and Istanbul.
Where to buy
Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala
Find Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala on Amazon →Istanbul
Find Istanbul on Amazon →Amazon links are affiliate search links. As an Amazon Associate, EveryGameMade earns from qualifying purchases.
Common questions
Is Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala or Istanbul harder to learn?
Istanbul is the easier of the two to learn — 2.6 of 5 on BoardGameGeek versus 2.8 of 5 for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala.
Which is faster to play, Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala or Istanbul?
Both take about 40 minutes.
How many players do Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala and Istanbul support?
Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala plays with 2–4 players; Istanbul plays with 2–5 players.