title image

Istanbul: Digital Edition

Classic strategy board game

Ratings

Age

4+

Category

Board

Languages

English

Istanbul: Digital Edition is the official adaptation of the TOP 100 board game of all time. As a merchant in a bustling bazaar, your goal is to be the first to collect a set number of rubies. Manage your assistants carefully across 16 different locations, each offering unique actions. This digital version features the original rules, great artwork, AI opponents, pass-and-play mode, and cross-platform online multiplayer for the ultimate strategic challenge.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

90/100

Istanbul: Digital Edition is a flawless translation of the 2014 Kennerspiel des Jahres winner. Acram Digital has a reputation for high-quality board game ports, and this is their crown jewel. The game is a 'modular board' race where you manage a merchant and four assistants through a bustling bazaar. The tactical depth comes from the 'assistant management'—you have to leave them behind to perform actions and then circle back to pick them up.

The UI is incredibly efficient, condensing a complex board into a readable mobile screen without losing the beautiful artwork by Andreas Resch. The inclusion of cross-platform multiplayer and a robust AI means you can always find a game. The 'Mocha & Baksheesh' expansion content is also being integrated, which adds even more longevity. If you enjoy strategic 'euro-style' board games, this is easily one of the best available on the App Store.

Dinsun reviewed on: Tue Feb 25 2025

Features

1

Official 100% original board game rules

2

Play against AI, friends, or both

3

Cross-platform online multiplayer

4

Pass-and-play mode for local sessions

5

Stunning artwork and high-quality animations

Tips & Walkthrough

Gameplays

Screenshot

screenshot 0screenshot 1screenshot 2screenshot 3screenshot 4screenshot 5screenshot 6screenshot 7screenshot 8screenshot 9

Q&A

The digital edition supports rules and content for expansions like Mocha & Baksheesh in its recent updates.

Ratings & Reviews

Great strategy game with steep learning curve but well worth it
Sat Apr 18 2020 jmacfarlan

Great game, 5 stars but just have an issue with the online invite system to play with friends. I’ve started playing Istanbul with some friends online but we seeing issues with the invitation system. There are 5 of us and we are all friends online in the app. When someone sets up a game and invites the others we all seem to get an iPhone notification for the invite but after clicking that and going into the game there is often no game invite showing in the lobby so cannot join the game. When we look at alerts (the bell icon) we can see an alert about being invited to a game but there is no way to join. Sometimes it works but usually with 5 people at least one person doesn’t get the invite properly. Please help as otherwise we love the game

Did something happen to the iOS version getting mocha expansion?
Fri Feb 14 2025 Ronpaulstiltskin

It was in the app under other games with a banner that said coming soon but that’s gone now? Looks like it’s on steam. Was there an issue with the App Store or something? I do t really use steam. Switch version maybe? Not trying to worry over nothing if it’s still being worked on, just asking because I saw the ad for it was removed and couldn’t find anything about the iOS app anymore. I’m sure stuff comes up in mobile game dev especially for adaptations of existing licensed games, etc so I just wanted to check.

Great Port
Tue Aug 21 2018 beachgirl525

Very very well done port of a fun Euro style game. The tutorial is a real help to newcomers, and the AI is balanced. If you start on easy, you will soon learn not only the mechanics of the game, but strategy. I really enjoy the achievements as well. Oh how I wish they would add the expansions as in app purchases...buying that would be a no brainer. Well worth the $6.99 cost, especially considering that the physical game costs so much more, and you can p,ay without worrying with getting a game group up!

A little tough on smaller screen sizes.
Wed Nov 28 2018 Quickbrownfox13

I’m a huge fan of the board game and am happy to have found this for IOS. I’m not sure what could be done differently, but I find that I have to really get close to my screen to play this game well since strategy depends upon looking at the current states of each position on the board. Things like seeing how many assistants are left in a stack require zooming in and out. It’s still fun, but not a super easy experience on a smaller phone (iphone 6/7). Note to developers - the small market doesn’t deduct the right amount of resources when you purchase the first tiles. It should cost two and only deducts one from the inventory.

Great game, good app
Fri Apr 26 2019 Mgway

I've played half a dozen games now and haven't had any problems with gameplay of app stability. However, I think there are a few small issues that if resolved would make this a great app. First, the turn notifications don't follow the ios notifications setting, instead they're hidden under the "my account" settings. Second, there are a ton of loading screens when playing an online game. My iPhone XS takes about 15 seconds across two loading screens to load the game after tapping the notification, and the same reload happens to go to sleep in the middle of taking a turn.

Fantastic Game! Dice Game Next?
Tue Jun 26 2018 AlaskaDaveAK

This is an excellent port of the Istanbul board game. I wasn't too familiar with the game, though, and the tutorial got me up to speed without overloading me. Beautiful art, great gameplay and nice UI make for a wonderful app and well worth the few dollars they're asking. Any chance for the Istanbul Dice Game, which my group actually prefers to regular Istanbul? If not, we'd love the Istanbul expansions. Thank you for this great app, typical of the work, energy and passion of Acram Digital.

Great implementation but serious game bug
Sat Feb 24 2024 Thitsa

I love the game and the app is well designed but I’ve discovered a bug in the current version that allows me to pay fewer resources than required under a specific scenario. If you visit any of the Warehouse, you can get more resources than your cart fits. Then if you spend resources at the Mosque you will spend the virtual resources that you don’t actually have. Please fix this because it is a big exploitable hole.

Great app, no bugs or crashes
Mon Dec 27 2021 Zs_anderson

This has been an excellent app version of the board game. We play it frequently as it is much faster than setting up the actual board. I have never been any issues with bugs or crashes. My only request is that they would add the expansions to the app.

Some Youtube Videos found!

News found!

The Boards & Cards Summer Bundle Bash on Steam has incredible tabletop dealsThe Boards & Cards Summer Bundle Bash on Steam has incredible tabletop deals

Acram Digital is holding a massive sale on tabletop bundles, from timless classics like Cluedo to epic card games such as Lord of the Rings.

Wargamer Fri Aug 29 2025

Istanbul: Digital Edition ReviewIstanbul: Digital Edition Review

Like Monster Couch and Nomad Games, Acram Digital have taken it upon themselves to bring popular board games to the digital space.

TheXboxHub Wed Jun 29 2022

Istanbul: Digital EditionIstanbul: Digital Edition

Buy Istanbul: Digital Edition and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store.

Nintendo Wed Nov 29 2023

Snag Concordia, Charterstone and other digital board games during Acram’s spring saleSnag Concordia, Charterstone and other digital board games during Acram’s spring sale

Acram's full catalogue of digital board games are enjoying some reduced prices during the developer's spring sale.

Dicebreaker Wed Jun 29 2022

Weekly Switch eShop Deals (W37) Back to MaxWeekly Switch eShop Deals (W37) Back to Max

#DRIVE (PM Studios) – $8.25 (Usually $16.50, ends 19/09) – 50% off ✚ 10 Second Ninja X (Thalamus Digital) – $3.75 (Usually $15.00,...

Vooks Tue Oct 29 2024

Aussie Weekly Switch eShop Deals (Week 39) Slayin’Aussie Weekly Switch eShop Deals (Week 39) Slayin’

Cardpocalypse, Disney Speedstorm, Slay the Spire.

Vooks Wed Nov 29 2023

Hundreds discounted in Nintendo’s Indie Sale – April 2024Hundreds discounted in Nintendo’s Indie Sale – April 2024

Hollow Knight, Balatro, Untitled Goose Game, Penny's Big Breakaway, Ori, Unpacking, Spiritfarer, Cult of the Lamb and way more.

Vooks Wed May 29 2024

Aussie Weekly Switch eShop Deals (Week 51) Follow-upAussie Weekly Switch eShop Deals (Week 51) Follow-up

All-Star Brawl, No More Heroes, Ocean Horn, Tactics Ogre and The Wonderful 101.

Vooks Wed Mar 01 2023

10 Best Board Games On Nintendo Switch10 Best Board Games On Nintendo Switch

If you want to get your board game fix while on the go, these board games on the Nintendo Switch should scratch the itch.

Game Rant Wed Jan 29 2025

Istanbul: Digital Edition ReviewIstanbul: Digital Edition Review

Istanbul: Digital Edition, developed by Acram Digital, is a digital adaptation of the popular board game of the same name.

GameSpew Sat Jun 29 2019

You may also like