A Trio of New Oink Games Coming From Hachette UK in May

Hachette Boardgames UK have just announced three new titles due for release in May from Japanese publisher Oink Games. Oink Games specialise in small pocket sized games that include the international best selling Deep Sea Adventure. Oink also opened their first dedicated - and very aesthetically pleasing - store in Tokyo, Japan, in March.

A vibrant display of Oink Games products fills a curved wall, showcasing a variety of colorful game boxes arranged in a grid pattern. The boxes feature bold designs in bright colors, including yellows, greens, blues, and pinks, creating an eye-catching visual effect. In the foreground, a blue shelf holds various game-related items and stationery, complementing the overall aesthetic of the store.

The three new titles, all of which should be out at UK Games Expo, are Compress, Kobayakawa, and Frozen Passage.

The image features the cover of the game

Compress is a 20 minutes game for 1-7 players, ages 8+

Outsmart the others and stay ahead in this new kind of recordkeeping game! An endless stream of 1s and 0s. If you can’t reproduce the sequence correctly, you won’t make it. But then you realise… it’s not about memorising them, it’s about keeping track. All you have at your disposal are the 8 cards in your hand. How can you use them to retain as much information as possible? Instead of relying on your memory, arrange your cards and keep track of the sequence through logic.

A bright turquoise background features a large, stylized red emblem consisting of three interlocking circles, symbolizing the game Kobayakawa. Below the emblem, the title

Kobayakawa is a 20 minute game for 3-8 players, ages 8+

Bet on having the highest final card, but watch out for the Kobayakawa! Simple…or not: Place your bets. If your hand is the highest, you win! However, watch out for the trick “Kobayakawa” card. the number on the Kobayakawa is added to the lowest card’s value, so even if you’re holding the highest number, a win is not guaranteed. Despite its simple rules, this is a quick and exciting card game that will test your bravery and bluffing.

A minimalist game cover features a stylized illustration of a sailboat with a red hull and white sails, set against a blue background that occupies the lower half of the design. The title

Frozen Passage is a 20 minute game for 1-4 players, ages 8+

Bound by Hope. The Northwest Passage. An elusive sea route along the northern coast of America that’s said to link the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Since the 15th century, expedirions were launched with the dream of discovering it, only to then vanish within the icebergs. In this cooperative game, you aim to connect 15 cards together, while following the rules for how to connect them. Even a small misstep could spell disaster. Work together and predict which cards your fellow explorers hold, make use of items, and successfully traverse the route that humanity has dreamed of!

Images courtesy of Oink Gamesand Hachette Boardgames UK.

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InstagramApr 15, 2026

Hachette Boardgames UK bring 3 new Oink Games titles this May, all in time for UK Games Expo. Compress, Kobayakawa and Frozen Passage continue the tradition of cramming games into tiny boxes. The only shrinkflation we'll tolerate - #OinkGames #BoardGames #CardGames