Pillbox Games Side Effects | Strategic Take That Card Game of Therapy, Medication, Disorder Cards & Chaotic Interaction | Stylish Art Game for 2–8 Players Ages 14+ | 10–30 Minute Playtime

I saw this boardgame on store with a higher price and decided to get it from Amazon. It is such a good and fun game with unique gameplay. My husband and I started with the basic pack but decided to get the expansion one after a few days. The game is very easy to learn as well

We absolutely love the Side Effects game, and this expansion was the perfect addition to make it even more fun. The cards are excellent quality, just like the original game, and the artwork is fantastic. Not a bad price for an expansion pack. Such a creative, unique, and entertaining game. We love it!

Side Effects initially caught my eye because of its cool art style. Its skeleton-mental health theme gives it a morbid (and often funny) aesthetic and the box art is gorgeous! The long, skinny "tarot" sized cards are lovely to hold and sturdy, with beautiful artwork on both sides and vertically mirrored effect text that makes it easy to read cards sitting across the table. This small format detail is incredibly important to gameplay. Mechanically speaking, Side Effects is a fabulous, fast-paced little card game with a kind of rock-paper-scissors dynamic! Because you need to sort out conditions to deal out each player's "psyche" and then reshuffle them into the deck, you are going to have to shuffle these cards A LOT, and I could see that wearing them out in the long term. Side Effects gives each player a psyche full of illnesses that they must treat. But treating them with medication leaves you vulnerable to other conditions, and while you're attempting to treat yourself you also need to prevent other players from outpacing you or penalizing you. There is a fair amount of strategy to be had here, but it is light enough to be quite beginner-friendly. The game dynamic causes quite a bit of laughter and playful "punishing" moments. For more seasoned board gamers, this game is a wonderful palate-cleanser between games or for the end of a gaming session!

Do yourself a favor and buy the expansion pack too, trust me. Great game to play with teens, it's slightly edgy but also destigmatizes mental illnesses by opening the door to discussion. The information is mostly accurate (pretty sure Madness isn't in the DSM). It is easy to learn, you'll just want to keep the instructions handy to refer back to so you can strategize. Shuffling with the expansion pack is no small feat, but well worth the time and effort. My kid love giving each other mental breakdowns and plotting revenge. We added a couple of our own house rules: (1) you can force a treatment on someone (and then give them one of the side effects after). (2) Made it so the Restock card also lets you discard your whole hand. We're still thinking of changing the punishment for Dry Mouth as it is pretty weak. We can't wait for the new Vice cards to be released!

We play a lot of games - basic ones and more high strategy ones. This game was actually pretty easy once you got the hang of it. It does take some slight strategy and you definitely have to pay attention to what cards you have and the disorders your opponents have. You cane cure yours, give others more disorders, or make them have an episode, but any action can backfire on you too. My adult son and I played and really enjoyed it! We laughed and had a good time. One game can be very quick or take a but if time - it just depends on the luck of the draw. This is definitely a game we can play over and over again. Pros: Easy to learn Can play with 2-10 people, so more options for group size. We have only played with two and it was fun. The artwork on the cards. It is fun. Cons: The cards are larger than regular cards and harder to shuffle. You have to separate out the disorders, shuffle and deal them out, and then shuffle them back in the deck each game. That is time consuming. Some complained about the fact that it calls out or makes fun of mental health. It is actually accurate on the treatments and side effects of them, so it isn't making fun and is realistic. Yes, players can give each other disorders and such and make it fun, but it is a game folks! I have a psychology degree and have family members with mental illness and I do not take offense to this game. If you do, don't play it. I highly recommend this game if you don't mind the content of it.

f you thought Side Effects was a brilliant blend of chaos and cunning, wait until you inject the Booster Shot expansion into your game night—it’s like adding nitroglycerin to an already explosive formula! This expansion doesn’t just add cards—it adds attitude. With new Disorders, Drugs, and Action cards like High Tolerance, Misdiagnosis, and the devilishly clever Munchausen by Proxy, every round becomes a psychological chess match. The mechanics are tighter, the stakes are higher, and the opportunities for strategic sabotage are deliciously wicked. What I love most? The game walks a tightrope between dark humor and sharp gameplay. It’s not just about winning—it’s about outwitting your friends, managing your mental minefield, and laughing through the madness. The art is stunning, the card interactions are brilliantly designed, and the replay value is off the charts. As someone who lives and breathes tabletop games, I can confidently say this expansion elevates Side Effects from “fun” to “legendary.” Whether you're a seasoned strategist or a casual chaos agent, Booster Shot delivers a dose of dopamine every time it hits the table. 💊 Final verdict: Inject this into your collection immediately. And Amazon—if you're looking for a reviewer who brings passion, insight, and a flair for the dramatic, I’m your player one. Let’s make game night legendary. Ease of learning: Side Effects: Booster Shot is delightfully easy to learn—within minutes, new players can grasp the basics and jump into the psychological mayhem. The rules are clear, intuitive, and newcomers catch on fast, making it perfect for game night pick-up play.

Excellent game, lots of fun if it matches your sense of humor, easy to understand and makes for a great games night

Side Effects è un gioco semplice e divertente da giocare con i propri amici. le regole si imparano in 5 minuti ed è assolutamente geniale. il tema un po' dark delle malattie mentali lo rende un gioco intrigante che propongo sempre a tutti i miei amici come alternativa ai soliti giochi di carte. (nelle foto ho censurato solo un codice sconto che ti danno per l'acquisto di un gioco della pillbox) Dato che il gioco è disponibile solo in america non mi aspettavo arrivasse veramente, sono rimasto piacevolmente sorpreso quando ho aperto il pacco e mi sono ritrovato la scatola perfetta e intonsa!

Uma otima expansão para agregar ainda mais jogadores

Can't wait to buy the expansion!

I am a pharmacist and I love this game)))) My husband likes it as well. It is too realistic. Don't buy this gaif you don't have a sense of humor