How much do you want that piece of cheese? (Mousetrap)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Mousetrap
Date:	17/06/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fun

Disadvantages: easy to lose pieces

Going through a spat of childhood memories with my games reviews, and which other game holds so many memories than Mousetrap?

You take the part of a mouse, working your way around the board, trying to evade capture from the elaborate mouse trap. Should you set it off, the whole thing sets off a chain of events and catches you. It's one of those contraptions that always seem to go wrong at some point, (seemed to always be the diving man bit that never worked), and you can't help but think they tried a little too hard with this game to make it practical.

The worst thing about this game is the set up time and amount of pieces it contains. Putting it together is a real challenge, and it was always one of those games that you kind of regretted getting out after a while. It will take up to twenty minutes to put it all together (less for an adult). Inevitably, with that many pieces, it's also too easy to lose bits, and you only ever find out something's missing when you've put the whole thing together and then go 'oh, where's the diving man bit?' Frantic searches ensue, and you end up frustratedly admitting defeat, when you have nothing left to do but put it all away again.

Indeed, it's one of those games that needs all the pieces, so it's pretty much ruined if you lose a bit. Considering the amount of 20 year old sets floating around people's houses, it's almost certain that most are missing pieces.

Playing the game is good fun - the fear factor sets in as you put it all together, and work your way through the course. The pieces are all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours, so it's a visually alluring game too. Little ones (say under 5) will need help putting it together and playing it, but surely that's half the point with games is it not?

Price-wise, it's around £15 for a set, which is a lot when you think that it soon loses the novelty (particularly for dad who has to set it up each time).

All in all, a fun enough game but one prone to going wrong in one shape or form.

Summary: do it