Anyone for a bacon buttie! Only kidding!! (Pass the pigs)

Member Name: preciouskdg

Product:	Pass the pigs
Date:	22/02/04 (181 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap, great fun

Disadvantages: addictive

have been having a bit of a clearout at home this week and have come across a few items I had forgotten existed. Quite exciting really!!!

I came across a game called 'Pass The Pigs'. It is one of the many games created by MB Games, the seventies and eighties King of Board games!! I have looked on the internet and found one website which sells the original 'Pass The Pigs' for £9.99.

www.iwantitcheaper.com.

What was the first thing I did on discovering the game? Exactly, I opened the black plastic 'pigskin' case to reveal the inch long rubber piggies with their intricate details. Pink noses, curly tails, even the udders - Aaahhh!! How cute!!! The two piggies are neatly laid in their green plastic 'sty', fitting snugly on their sides. Excitement or what!!!

The case measures about 15cm by 6cm. The front of the case also has the shape of the pigs on the front so that when the lid is closed, the pigs are held securely. The case clicks closed on the side. The case is hard so keep sthe piggies safe and sound.

As well as the piggies, there are also two black pencils, an instruction leaflet and a scoring pad. The scoring pad has space to accommodate up to four players. The front of the pad can be removed and kept for reference as it shows the scoring techniques involved in the game.

The idea of the game is to toss the rubber piggies onto a flat surface and achieve high point scoring positions from them. You continue to throw until you chose to pass onto the next player or you get a 'Pig Out' move, 'Makin Bacon' move or 'Piggy Back' move. Sometimes you can chose to throw again and loose all the points from your round. Its a definite game of chance.

The Positions

Sider ( 10) - pigs land on the sme sides - 1 point
Trotter (3) - one pig lands on all fours, one lands on its side - 5 points
Double Trotter (1) - Both pigs land on their feet - 20 p
oints
Razorback (3) - One pig lands on its back - 5 points
Double Razorback (0) - Both pigs land on their backs - 20 points
Snouter (3) - One pig ands on its snout and two feet - 10 points
Double Snouter (0) - Both pigs land as above - 40 points
Leaning Jowler (1) - One pig lands on its jowl and ear and on one foot - 15 points
Double Leaning Jowler (0) - Both pigs land as above - 60 points
Makin Bacon (0) - Both pigs touching each other in any position - You lose alla chieved points so far.
Piggyback (0) - As this is an unnatural position for pigs the player is disqualified.
Pig out (4) - Pigs land on opposite sides with feet facing - 0 pointsts and end of go.

In twenty five throws, I recorded what positions I achieved. I have put the scores in brackets next to each move to show how many moves are involved in a typical game.Obviously the positions I have not achieved are very dificult so very rarely occur. Or perhaps I am just rubbish at it! Who knows! Let me know if you get a 'Makin Bacon' move!!!

The game is so addictive and frustrating. I find myself trying to achieve the more difficult moves even when it may take hours!! Sad arent I!!!

The basic game objective is to reac 100 points before your opponent/s.The second game option is called 'Hog Call'. A game would proceed as normal, except any player with 20 or more points can chose to predict how the pigs will land. If they predict correctly, that player recieves double the amount of points and the tosser wins nothing. If the caller predicts incorrectly, they would lose t he number of points and the tosser would recieve the points amount doubled. No one can go under the score of zero!

Although the game sounds very basic, it is immense fun, fantastic fun. It will keep you entertained for hours! The frustration aspect keeps you hooked.

It is a greatshame that 'good old fashioned' board games are not more widely
used by youngsters. The pS2 and X Box does not seem to leave enough space for the likes of 'Pass The pigs' and 'Connect Four'.

Although the date on the instruction leaflet is 1984, my god, I have had something for twenty years!!!, the little history insight staes that the ancient game has been around for over 3000 years and was developed by the 'Pigalonians' in 'Pigalonia'! And no I am not that gullible!!!

A doctor called 'ibber' discovered the gam ein Germany in 1965, where the piggies were known as 'Glucksschwein' or Lucky Pigs.

The game can be played by all ages although younger children will probably need some help with the scoring aspect. Pass The pigs can be played anywhere. It is small enough to fit into our handbag or even your coat pocket. It is suitable for playing in the playground, on the train, in the car. Although if a child drops a piece on the floor of the car, an accident could occur. Maybe not a good idea. It can be played anywhere sensible!

Honestly, if you havenever played the game, you must try it! For those of you who own a set, well, I know you are already rummaging through through those boxes!!!

Also, just to ease the frustration a little, if you can not find the game, there is a website which lets you play online or even download it locally onto your desktop.

www.fontface.com/games/pigs

You can downlaod within seconds and start playing straight away. The osund effects are great! 'Boing' 'Oink oink'!!

The rules are the same and you simply play against the PC. Even more addictive than the real thing! Go and try it!! Have great fun but dont forget to come back and rate my review.

Many thanks for reading!

Kerry xx


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