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.
I’m a fan of tabletop games, but I hate the setup. Istanbul is a great example of a digital port done right. It handles all the fiddly merchant movement and resource tracking so you can focus on the strategy. It’s a 'racing' game disguised as an economic simulator—you're trying to find the most efficient route to those rubies before your opponents do.
The AI is surprisingly competent, which is rare for board game ports. It’s not flashy, but the interface is clean and the tutorials are solid. My only complaint is the online lobby system; it can be a bit of a nightmare to invite friends. But for solo play or local pass-and-play, it’s one of the best tabletop adaptations out there. It’s a thinking man’s game, and I appreciate that.
Performance: Very stable; handles cross-platform play well despite lobby bugs.
Buy if: You enjoy medium-weight strategy board games and want a clean digital version.
Skip if: You want fast action or find economic puzzles boring.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 1.2.1Thu Jun 26 2025
[Feature] Added rules to the Rulebook for the upcoming Mocha & Baksheesh expansion.
[QoL] Added animations to locations and backgrounds.
[QoL] Moved the tutorial from the bottom of the rules section into its own dedicated tab.
[QoL] Added feedback category selection to the feedback form.
[Engine] Updated the game engine and improved overall performance of the app.
[Fix] Fixed issues causing music crashes.
The official digital adaptation of one of the best board games in history – Istanbul.
Istanbul is, without a doubt, one of the best board games to have ever been published. The long list of its awards and honors speaks for itself:
2015 Nederlandse Spellenprijs Best Expert Game Nominee
2014 Swiss Gamers Award Winner
2014 Meeples' Choice Nominee
2014 Kennerspiel des Jahres Winner
2014 International Gamers Award - General Strategy: Multi-player Nominee
2014 Hra roku Nominee
2014 Gouden Ludo Winner
2014 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee
2014 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee
2014 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Nominee
In our 2018 digital version we have maintained all of the features that made Istanbul the fan favorite that it is, but also expanded upon it with a number of tools and features only available on the digital platform. We maintained the authentic board game feeling with the convenience you can expect from an electronic device.
So what is the game about?
Can you be the first merchant to collect a certain number of rubies?
• Run, collect and trade goods across the bazaar
• Take control over your assistants
• Increase your wheelbarrow capacity
• Acquire special abilities to increase the advantage over your competitors
• Buy rubies or trade goods for them
In Istanbul, you lead a group of one merchant and his four assistants through 16 locations in the bazaar. In each such a location, you can carry out a specific action. The challenge, however, is that to take an action, you must move your merchant and an assistant there, then leave the assistant behind to handle all the details while you focus on larger matters. If you want to use that assistant again later, your merchant must return to that location to pick him up. Thus, you must plan ahead carefully to avoid being left with no assistants and thus unable to do anything…
What can you expect?
• Official Istanbul game - 100% original rules
• Adaptation of TOP 100 board game of all time by BGG ranking
• Play with AI, with friends or both
• Great artwork by Andreas Resch
• Languages: English, German, Dutch, Polish, French, Korean, Japanese, Chinese Simplified, Spanish
• Pass and play mode
• Cross-platform online multiplayer with synchronous and asynchronous modes
• Opponents' last moves replay
• 3 levels of difficulty AIs with individual strategies
• Preset or random generated game boards
• Atmospheric music and sounds
• Unique, original board game experience
• Intuitive gameplay
• Colorblind mode
• Over 70 achievements
• iPhone X support
Requires iOS 13.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.The official digital adaptation of one of the best board games in history - Istanbul.
The official digital adaptation of one of the best board games in history – Istanbul.
Istanbul is, without a doubt, one of the best board games to have ever been published. The long list of its awards and honors speaks for itself:
2015 Nederlandse Spellenprijs Best Expert Game Nominee
2014 Swiss Gamers Award Winner
2014 Meeples' Choice Nominee
2014 Kennerspiel des Jahres Winner
2014 International Gamers Award - General Strategy: Multi-player Nominee
2014 Hra roku Nominee
2014 Gouden Ludo Winner
2014 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee
2014 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee
2014 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Nominee
In our 2018 digital version we have maintained all of the features that made Istanbul the fan favorite that it is, but also expanded upon it with a number of tools and features only available on the digital platform. We maintained the authentic board game feeling with the convenience you can expect from an electronic device.
So what is the game about?
Can you be the first merchant to collect a certain number of rubies?
• Run, collect and trade goods across the bazaar
• Take control over your assistants
• Increase your wheelbarrow capacity
• Acquire special abilities to increase the advantage over your competitors
• Buy rubies or trade goods for them
In Istanbul, you lead a group of one merchant and his four assistants through 16 locations in the bazaar. In each such a location, you can carry out a specific action. The challenge, however, is that to take an action, you must move your merchant and an assistant there, then leave the assistant behind to handle all the details while you focus on larger matters. If you want to use that assistant again later, your merchant must return to that location to pick him up. Thus, you must plan ahead carefully to avoid being left with no assistants and thus unable to do anything…
What can you expect?
• Official Istanbul game - 100% original rules
• Adaptation of TOP 100 board game of all time by BGG ranking
• Play with AI, with friends or both
• Great artwork by Andreas Resch
• Languages: English, German, Dutch, Polish, French, Korean, Japanese, Chinese Simplified, Spanish
• Pass and play mode
• Cross-platform online multiplayer with synchronous and asynchronous modes
• Opponents' last moves replay
• 3 levels of difficulty AIs with individual strategies
• Preset or random generated game boards
• Atmospheric music and sounds
• Unique, original board game experience
• Intuitive gameplay
• Colorblind mode
• Over 70 achievements
• iPhone X support










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.
Official 100% original board game rules
Play against AI, friends, or both
Cross-platform online multiplayer
Pass-and-play mode for local sessions
Stunning artwork and high-quality animations
Your merchant moves up to two spaces but must have an assistant to take an action. If you land on a space where an assistant is already present, you pick them up. Plan your route in a 'loop' to constantly drop off and pick up assistants to maximize your turns.
Developer site for Istanbul and other board game ports.
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
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
Buy Istanbul: Digital Edition and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store.
Nintendo - Wed Nov 29 2023
Acram's full catalogue of digital board games are enjoying some reduced prices during the developer's spring sale.
Dicebreaker - Wed Jun 29 2022
#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
Cardpocalypse, Disney Speedstorm, Slay the Spire.
Vooks - Wed Nov 29 2023
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
All-Star Brawl, No More Heroes, Ocean Horn, Tactics Ogre and The Wonderful 101.
Vooks - Wed Mar 01 2023
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, developed by Acram Digital, is a digital adaptation of the popular board game of the same name.
GameSpew - Sat Jun 29 2019
Rubies can be obtained by selling goods at the palaces, donating at the mosque, or upgrading your wheelbarrow. Keep an eye on the rising prices—the longer you wait to trade for a ruby at a specific location, the more it will cost.
The digital edition supports rules and content for expansions like Mocha & Baksheesh in its recent updates.