King of Tokyo: Origins is a standalone game in the King of Tokyo series that is intended as an entry point for new players, as it is a smaller, more affordable set. The game features four new monsters, an assortment of new power cards mixed with older ones, energy cubes and green dice with yellow characters.

The gameplay remains the same as in the original game: to win, you must be the first to score 20 points or be the only creature left.

During a turn you roll six dice, which show the following six symbols: 1, 2 or 3 points, energy, healing and attack. Over three consecutive rolls, you choose whether to keep or discard each die to gain points, gather energy, restore health, or attack other players. When you attack and are outside of Tokyo, you hit whoever is in Tokyo; if you're in Tokyo, you'll hit everyone outside of Tokyo! If someone's health drops to 0, they are out of the game. (You can't repair damage while in Tokyo, and the only way to leave the city is to be attacked... which may bring you to the brink of death.)

When you collect energy, you store it in cubes, which you can use to purchase power cards, which have a permanent or temporary effect.