Funkoverse: What Surprised Me About These Funko POP Strategy Games?

What Is Funkoverse? I recently stumbled upon Funkoverse games—compact strategy board games featuring iconic Funko POP figures. After seeing a few targeted ads, I gave in and bought the Funkoverse DC 100 and Marvel 100 starter sets. This article isn’t a full review, but rather my first impressions of what you can expect from these quirky collectible-based games.

Honestly, I expected very little. I mainly bought the games for the figures—8 Funko POP miniatures of fan-favorite characters for around $30 each? That seemed like a great deal. But as I read the rulebook, I discovered these games offer more than just shelf candy. While I'm no expert in skirmish-style strategy games, I hope this article gives you a useful glimpse into the Funkoverse universe.

Gameplay Overview

Funkoverse is a tactical game series where players compete on themed maps using mini Funko POP figures. The gameplay revolves around basic movement, special abilities, and dice-based combat. Each figure has unique abilities and interacts with the board in different ways, adding strategy to each encounter.

There are two main types of Funkoverse boxes: core sets (labeled “Strategy Game”) with 2 or 4 figures, and expansions (labeled “Expansion”) that require a core set to play. Each set is numbered (e.g., DC 100 or Marvel 100), and the core sets include everything you need to get started.

The games are only available in English, German, Spanish, or French—there’s no official Polish edition. Fortunately, the rules are fairly simple, so if you understand any of those languages at a basic level, you’ll be fine.

Funko Figures and Components

Let’s be honest—most people are drawn to Funkoverse for the figures. And they’re great, albeit smaller than standard Funko POPs (roughly 2/3 the size). They're made of the same vinyl, with impressive detail. Some models with open mouths have visible seam lines, but it’s a minor flaw.

Each figure is designed to hold items from the game—like Batman’s batarang or Harley Quinn’s mallet. The Marvel set includes cool 3D base components.

The game boards are sturdy and visually engaging. I personally prefer the gritty Gotham and colorful circus maps over the more sterile S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and Wakandan lab. The tokens, cards, and crystals are lightweight, but they do the job. Most paper components are thin but not prone to damage since they mostly lie flat.

First Impressions and Mechanics

I expected fluff, but Funkoverse surprised me. The games are light, but cleverly designed. I'd compare the complexity to something like *Marvel United: Spider-Geddon*, except it’s competitive, not cooperative.

Funkoverse supports 2 to 4 players, but I think it shines best in 1v1 duels. The key mechanic here is the cooldown system. Each team has a shared pool of action tokens. Basic moves are free, but using special abilities requires placing a token on a cooldown track. These tokens move down the track each round, and stronger abilities take longer to become available again. Timing and planning become critical.

You can choose to play a standard battle mode or dive into objective-based scenarios. Each box includes two double-sided scenario cards—four modes total. These define starting positions, victory conditions, and special rules. Points aren’t just awarded for knockouts; you score for objectives, positioning, and completing mission goals. This makes Funkoverse surprisingly replayable.

And yes, you can mix and match characters across universes. Want Iron Man vs. Batman? Go for it.

Flaws and Quirks

It’s not a perfect game. The board spaces are tight—two figures with large heads can barely stand next to each other. And like many skirmish games, combat relies on dice rolls. Sometimes luck overpowers strategy.

While some abilities increase your odds with extra dice, there’s no built-in system for directly modifying results. It would be great to have mechanics that let you surprise your opponent or mitigate bad rolls.

Also, experience pays off. Players who understand their characters well will have a big advantage. The best matches happen when both players have a similar grasp of the game.

Is Funkoverse Worth It?

In my opinion—yes. For under $30, you get a complete game and four quality mini Funko POPs. That’s a solid geek investment.

The gameplay won’t blow veteran gamers away, but it’s fun, thematic, and surprisingly tactical. If you enjoy light skirmish games and don’t mind a bit of English (or another supported language), Funkoverse delivers solid entertainment for its price.

It’s not a genre-defining strategy game. But where else can Harry Potter duel Voldemort, Batman brawl with Iron Man, or the Squid Game host a deathmatch with the Game of Thrones cast? If that idea excites you, give Funkoverse a try.