Disclosure: Meeple Mountain received a free copy of this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. This review is not intended to be an endorsement.
Singapore Transit
I have a bit of a soft spot for this game, simply because I’m originally from Singapore. I was born there but didn’t have the fortunate experience of growing up there, as I immigrated to the U.S. when I was a child. That didn’t stop me from feeling a connection to Singapore—we would go back and visit family every other year or so. I have fond memories of the MRT system, which is the primary rail transportation across the island. From the memorable station chimes to the funny, passive-aggressive PSAs, the MRT calls me back.
SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit) is the premier transit system, with over 160 stations across six lines. The average daily ridership clocks in at around 3.4 million. It’s an incredible system that can take you just about anywhere on the island. Supported by government subsidies and assistance, SMRT is a prime example of how public transit should operate—in service of the people.
Next Station…
Next Station: The Singapore MRT Game is a light-hearted card game centered around the six MRT lines. Note: This game isn’t related to the Next Station: Paris or Next Station: Tokyo family of games, even though it shares the same title. While other train-themed games—such as Free Ride, Age of Rail: South Africa, On the Underground: London/Berlin, and Ticket to Ride: Legacy of the West—focus on rail-building, this game is more about color (line) matching, similar to Uno. It also includes two additional ways to play: a two-player-only speed game and a trivia mode. The box includes two copies of the MRT system map, helping familiarize players who may not be everyday riders.
Tap Your EZ-Link or NETS Card
Gameplay unfolds over a series of turns, with the objective of shedding all the cards in your hand. After an initial card is revealed, players take turns playing a card that matches the same line (color). The simple rules are spiced up with combo and power cards.
Players can execute a “four in a line” combo—playing four cards of the same color and one additional card of any color—a handy way to shed cards. Interchange cards (multicolored) allow players to switch the active line. Special Pass cards can be used as wilds or for special powers, such as swapping hands or canceling another player’s card.
Another layer of strategy comes from “adjacent station” play: if you see a station number that is numerically next to the card in play, you can jump in out of turn. It’s a fast ride, and speed is key. If a player cannot play a card, they must draw up to ten cards or skip their turn.
It All Comes Full Circle (Line)
I’m always excited to see games come out of Singapore. I’ve long admired Daryl Chow’s titles like Wok and Roll, Plantopia, and Rainforest City—all love letters to Singapore in their own way. Next Station: The Singapore MRT Game is no different.
Each card features a unique watercolor-esque illustration of a nearby landmark, making the act of playing cards feel like a sightseeing trip across the island. The cards are in English, Chinese, and Tamil, reflecting the racial harmony that Singapore promotes. The quick pace makes it easy to reshuffle and play again—we had games last anywhere from one to twenty minutes. While it shines more with higher player counts, it’s still a joy with two.
The adjacent station mechanic keeps everyone engaged, and eagle-eyed players will find sneaky chances to dump cards. With eight different Special Pass powers and speaking rules (e.g., declaring “last station” when holding one card), no two games feel the same.
There were a few bumps along the way: the timing of combos can be tricky for non-gamers, though they catch on after a few rounds. The small text on the Special Pass cards can slow things down, and while the rulebook is thorough, a more streamlined version would help with teaching.
These are minor gripes in what is otherwise a very fun card game. I hope American audiences get the chance to ride the MRT rails through this game and experience a slice of Singaporean culture: the efficiency, the charm, the playful rules of etiquette, and the beauty of everyday travel. For me, this game isn’t just a fun diversion—it’s a nostalgic journey.
I’ll be hopping on this train often, round after round, until the day comes when I return to the homeland and transit my way around the island once again—this time for real, with chimes ringing in my ears and the familiar breeze of Choa Chu Kung, Bugis, and Toa Payoh stations rushing past.
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