Life is full of Frustrations (Frustration)

Member Name: belfin

Product:	Frustration
Date:	21/12/05 (1663 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy to play - helps introduce dice in a fun way to youngsters

Disadvantages: can be a bit repetative and take ages if there are a 4 players

Well here goes with another review of a game which you may find useful as it's coming up to Christmas.

I've chosen to write about this classic game for a number of reasons - the main ones being that it is so easy to play and is great for keeping young children quiet for a while after the Christmas dinner has been eaten, although the popping can get annoying after a while.

This game is really just a different version of the old favourite Ludo where you had to get 4 counters out from their starting position, round the board and home to one of 4 spaces. Unlike ludo you don't have to throw the dice but instead have to use the pop-o-matic device in the centre of the play area. This can be a bit tricky for young ones to press down until they get the hang of it but then there's no stopping the popping.

So what do you get in the box?

Well the game board itself is made up of a see through plastic top with knobs on all around. There are 4 different coloured corners which are the same as the 4 counters for each player and they are Red, Green, Yellow and Blue. Going towards each corner of the board from the pop-o-matic centre are the four numbered home spaces and under these, right in the corners there are the starting positions. The race course goes all the way round the board. Like most MB games the instructions are on the back of the lid so no chance of losing them. The 16 counters are round and stand about 2cm in height and come in a small bag.

How do you play?

The simplicity of this game is what makes it so playable and the rules are easy for anyone to understand. The age on the box is for 4 years and upwards but already our 3 year old son can play this with a little bit of help. 2 - 4 players are needed to play but you can of course play tournaments or double up in teams if you so wish.

Each player has 4 counters which are placed on their start positions. After deciding who goes first the race is on to pop the first 6 which is what is needed to get your pieces out on to the playing field. After you do this you are able to pop again and move your piece on it's perilous trip round the board.

Some of you may be wondering why it is such a dangerous journey and this is because other nasty opponents can send you back to the start position if they land on you with their playing piece. There have been many nasty looks in our house when one of us has been approaching the safe haven of home spaces only to be caught a couple of spaces away. This is where the game gets it's name.

The only other rules are that to get your counter home you have to land exactly on a home space and that you cannot double up your counters on one space. If you cannot move another counter you simply have to wait and try again next time round as you do if you have no counters out in the first place.

Are there any tactics involved?

There is a lot of luck in this game although common sense tells you it is better to stay behind someone else's piece rather than in front where they can land on you. It's also a good idea to avoid landing where other players bring out there counters if they still have counters in their start positions as they will send you home immediately if they get a 6. At the end though it is pure luck trying to get the right number on the dice to get into one of the home spots.

Where can you get it?

This game can be found in most big stores like Woolworths, Toy r Us and online from Amazon for around £8.

How playable is this game?

The younger kids seem to love this game although I have to admit I get bored after a couple of games. This has nothing to do with the fact that I always seem to be the one getting sent back to the start as everyone else gangs up on me. It's great for encouraging the following of simple rules, counting and colour recognition as well as the fun aspect of it involved for young children and for the sheer competativeness of it for the older ones. I may come over as a bit of a sadist here but nothing pleases me more than the look on one of their faces as the recognition comes that they will have to start over again with a piece.

It is quite simply sheer frustration.

Summary: Old favourite - still popular today