title image

Fanorona Game

Board

Ratings

Age

4+

Category

Board

Languages

English

Experience Fanorona, a 2-player strategy game with deep roots in Madagascar history. Unlike most games where you jump over pieces to capture them, in Fanorona you capture by moving toward or away from an opponent's line of pieces. This lead to complex chain reactions and strategic maneuvers. The app features various difficulty levels, a clean interface, and a tutorial to teach you the nuances of this ancient classic.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

85/100

Fanorona is a hidden gem for fans of abstract strategy games like Chess or Go. Originating from Madagascar, this game offers a unique 'capture by approach' and 'capture by withdrawal' mechanic that completely flips traditional board game logic on its head.

The digital version is clean and lets the depth of the game shine. It's incredibly aggressive; a single move can sometimes wipe out half of your opponent's pieces if you set up the chain reaction correctly. The AI is a formidable opponent, making it a great way to learn the ropes before trying to find a human challenger. It’s a culturally rich, mentally taxing, and deeply satisfying strategy experience that every board game enthusiast should try at least once.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Features

1

Authentic Malagasy rules

2

3 difficulty levels of AI

3

Local 2-player mode

4

Tutorial for new players

Tips & Walkthrough

Gameplays

Screenshot

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Q&A

The goal is to capture all of your opponent's pieces or leave them with no legal moves.

Ratings & Reviews

Good game, but input needs fixing
Thu Feb 19 2015 Fosa99

On an iPhone 5s, the white pieces frequently don't lock into place, making it annoying to move. Otherwise, good game. Thanks!

Not Great for ACIII
Fri Jun 09 2023 Billy0203

This will definitely help you learn the game and get you started in the right direction for winning a game, but there’s several flaws to it. The player must always capture a piece where as the computer can at any point decide to no longer capture. You can’t decide who goes first and who doesn’t. It’s up to a luck. Whenever you start a new game if you start it in the middle of a capture the pieces being captured will still be gone in the new game. Overall if you’re using this to play I’d say it’s fun. If you’re using it as an Achievement Hunter like myself then this will help, but it won’t win you the game.

What games should be
Sun Jun 03 2018 Stafms31

This is a great game and well set up for mobile. Recommendation: add a setting to remove hints (don’t tell me I have more moves... if I don’t see it, I don’t want to be told.). Even better... if I miss out on a chain, track it and let me know at the end.

Awesome!
Fri Mar 27 2015 gingadiabetic

I just bought this game a few days ago, and it's already become one of my favorites. The rules are pretty simple. Kind of like an amped up version of checkers. Sweet game. Well designed app too!

Great way to learn this board game
Sat Feb 13 2021 1GirlScoutMom

Great way to teach the kids about a board game played in Madagascar! We tried to learn with pebbles and a game board, but it’s much easier to learn and understand through this app first.

Works Great
Sat Apr 07 2018 FifthJ4ck_4

Works Great on hard for beating AC3 After hours of trying to find a game that would win, this one did on the first try. Totally worth the $0.99

Excellent abstract game
Tue Apr 13 2021 BeerNate

As a fan of abstract strategy games this is an excellent app and game. Works well and love that as a beginner the easy ai setting is great for learning how to play

It’s not like the real thing.
Sat Jun 08 2024 mobwityaboy

Forget the whole “human and human experience” thought process when I say it isn’t like the real thing. Why can’t I pass my turn? If I made one move, I should be able to “skip” “pass” or whatever. This app should be free. I wasted a buck.

Some Youtube Videos found!

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