Love Letter is probably the game we’ve played more than any other. So when a Star Wars version turned up that was out of print and sold out everywhere, we went hunting. In the end, we finally got our hands on Star Wars: Jabba’s Palace.
What is Jabba’s Palace?
Star Wars: Jabba’s Palace came out in 2022 from Z-Man Games and was designed by Justin Kemppainen. The box says two to six players and about 20 minutes. All the classic Love Letter mechanics are there: hold a card, draw a card, play one. But three things give it a fresh twist.
- Two factions. Every card belongs to the Rebels or to Jabba’s court. The 19-card deck runs from 0 to 8, and there’s no Princess.
- New effects. Characters from Return of the Jedi bring their own abilities. Some knock opponents out if the number or faction matches.
- Agenda cards. For us, the big innovation. An agenda decides how a round is won when the deck runs out. Sometimes it’s the highest card, like the original. Sometimes it’s the most Rebel or the most Palace cards in front of you.
That last point is what we were most excited about when the box arrived: it’s not always about holding the highest card. The shifting win conditions and new effects make it noticeably more dynamic than the classic.
Two favorites in one box
For us, Jabba’s Palace combines two of our absolute favorites: Love Letter and Star Wars. If you’ve read our Star Wars: Rebellion review, you know how this family feels about the galaxy far, far away.
Rebellion takes a whole day. Jabba’s Palace fits in a pouch. Inside are a deck of cards, a little bag of tokens and a printed cloth bag. It’s the kind of game that lives in a jacket pocket rather than on a shelf.
What pinches
As with the original, a lucky guess can knock you out of the round before you’ve done anything. No agenda card changes that.
And then there’s the hunt. Jabba’s Palace was out of print and sold out everywhere when we were looking. If you fall in love after reading this: sorry in advance.
What we hear in the community
Jabba’s Palace is very well received. For some it’s their favorite Love Letter game, with particular praise for the card and component quality and the strong theme. Many like that the agendas make every game play differently. Four to five is often named as the best player count.
The criticism centers on luck and player count. With two or three, opponents often get knocked out so easily that the agenda rarely matters. That’s why some prefer the original with two. We haven’t compared the two closely enough at two players to weigh in.
Classic or Jabba’s Palace?
If you’ve never played Love Letter, start with the classic. It’s simpler, it’s available, and it’s our most-played game for a reason.
If you already love Love Letter, or everything in your house runs on Star Wars, Jabba’s Palace is the more varied game. We like it a touch less than the original. That’s not a criticism. The original is just very hard to beat.
Over to you: Rebels or Jabba’s court?
Where it shines
- Agenda cards mean the highest card doesn't always win
- Two factions and new effects add real variety
- Strong Return of the Jedi theme
- Fits in any bag in its cloth pouch
Where it pinches
- Out of print and hard to find
- With few players you get knocked out quickly
- For Love Letter newcomers, the classic is the better start
Fact sheet
- 2–6 (box)
- about 20 min
- 10+ (publisher)
- Justin Kemppainen
- Z-Man Games (2022)
From our table
FAQ
What's the difference between Love Letter and Star Wars: Jabba's Palace?
Jabba's Palace keeps the core of Love Letter: hold a card, draw a card, play one. On top come two factions, new card effects and agenda cards that decide how a round is won. So it's not always about holding the highest card.
Can you still buy Star Wars: Jabba's Palace?
When we were looking for our copy, it was out of print and sold out practically everywhere. Expect to hunt for it.
How many players is Jabba's Palace for?
The box says two to six players, and a game takes about 20 minutes. In the community, four to five is often named as the best count.
Is Jabba's Palace good with two players?
We can't judge that from our own games yet. In the community you often hear that classic Love Letter is better with two, because in Jabba's Palace you get knocked out too easily with few players.
