Fast-paced yet accessible gameplay
Engagingly competitive, with emphasis on teamwork
Awesome theming
Can be really funny
Being in the spotlight can be anxiety-inducing
Head-to-heads are a lot of pressure
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Bꦐlockbuster is doing rather well for itself, all things considered. Despite its collapse in 2013, the video rental chain still manages to shuffle into the spotlight via countless nostalgic throwbacks - like when Captain Marvel added an impromptu skylight to the roof of a 1990s store during her debut movie. Fast-forward to now and it’s resurfacing yet again with a party board game from Big Potato Games, publishers of Obama Llama and Bucket of Doom.
It's not another quiz wannabe, though. Trust me, you'll want to take note of this one. Blockbuster: The Game is a worthy of addition to our list of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best board games thanks to its accessible rules and frenetic action. Its head-to-head challenge has resulted𝓀 in near-legendary stories amongst my friend group too. You could say it's somethiไng of an over-achiever.
Price | $29.99 / £19.99 |
Ages | 14+ |
Game type | Trivia / cooperative |
Players | 4 - 8 |
Lasts | 20mins |
Complexity | Low |
Designers | In-house |
Publisher | Big Potato Games |
Play if you enjoy | Linkee, Articulate, Bucket of Doom, Obama Llama |
Much like Big Potato's other releases, Blockbuster is a party game that relies on quick reactions. It’s also a cute nod to everything ‘90s: thꦍe box is modelled after a VHS case, its cards are designed to look l✅ike tapes, and the board is reminiscent of an old Blockbuster car park. It even features the iconic but-slightly-wonky sign.
However, it’s not a slave to nostalgia. Although Blockbuster: The Game trades on happy memories at a surface level, the gameplay is more than strong enough to hold your attention even if you never set foot in a B✃lockbuster store. And before you say it, no - you don't need to know lots about films to play. This is a game anyone can getꦐ involved with.
So, how does it work? Blockbuster: The Gam🦂e is similar to other speedy quizzers like Five Second Rule or Pinch 'N' Pass. You’re racing against the clock to describe, quote, and act out as many movies as you can. Aimed at teams of at least two people per side, the goal is to build a deck of eight 'genre' cards before your opponents do. And that's it. As with any good party game, it's easy to explain, understand, and set up. This makes Blockbuster ideal for a get-together with friends or family.
Add in a fast-paced head-to-head round and you have a game that'll keep everyo🍸ne on their toes.
Blockbuster: The Game isn't the sort of game you cruise through on autopilot, nor is it forgettable. You see, it doesn’t take prisoners. As a case in point, see exhibit A - the amusingly brutal first round.ও After being given a category to work with (e.g. "movies with dogs"), a single member of your team is chosen to yell out a relevant film and hit the buzzer which resets a 15-second time limit. Someone from the opposing group must then do the same thing. This head-to-head squabble continues until one side can’t think of anything else, and time runs out. Which will happen faster than you think, by the way. Every sensible answer seems to leak out of your head just as the timer starts ticking.
The result can be incredibly memorable. While most of us may run out of answers within a short space of time, two pals of mine kept going for ten minutes straight in a bout of verbal tennis. It's become a 𓂃semi-mythical battle in my friend group.
'Triple Charades Jeopardy' is next, and you could argue that it's even better because everyone is involved. To kick off, the first round's winner picks six ran🐷dom cards featuring a movie from the deck before choosing three. They the♛n have to describe the first film using one word, use or make up a quote from the second, and mime a third for their team in just 30 seconds. If your team guesses them correctly, you receive those cards.
As y♏ou can probably guessꦬ, the result of is often hilarious.
Want a different kind of party game? I can't recommend 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Codenames enough. This modern classic has become a huge hit for goo🦩d reason.
Oh, but there's one more thing - the first rou🥃nd's winner must choose which cards their rivals will use as well. Because they're likely to choose the three easiest cards for themselves, that leaves the harder ones for their opponents. It’s deliciously evil, and I’m all for it.
OK, so there's not a lot of strategy powering all this. However, Blockbuster isn't the sort of game you can run on autopilot. You'll eventually have to step outside of your comfort zone and choose genꦜres you're less familiar with to complete the set, so resting on your laurels is ill-advised. Plus, I'm not sure it needs tactical depth. The point is having fun, and ✤it nails that assignment.
Basically, what you're left with is a lot of light-hearted sillin🌃ess. Blockbuster: The Game is a real laugh for those who are alright with time pressure, and it'll appeal to most people as well because it doesn't require extensive trivia knowledge. Yes, the pressure may be too much for some. But se🦩eing as the barrier to entry is so low,
Blockbuster: The Game is a great way to spend your evening, especially if drinks are involved and spirits are high. If you can get a large enough group together, it’s also a fun exercise in teamwork and/or exasperation. While it's not necessarily one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best cooperative board games♋ out there, it's a good icebreaker nonetheless. Nothing brings people together l👍ike good old-fashioned competition.
Are there betღter paꦉrty board games out there? Of course. But few balance accessibility, fun, and stakes quite like Blockbuster.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Game mechanics | This game opts for the "🅺simple b🦹ut effective" approach, and it really pays off. | 4/5 |
Accessibility | Because it's pitched as a game "for anyone who's ever seen a movie," few wil♊l feel lost here. | 5/5 |
Replayability | There are enough movie cards to keep you coming back for a long time, and expansions are av🔯ai♊lable to boost longevity even more. | 4/5 |
Setup and pack-down | Because it doesn't need a💧 lot of space,🥂 you can prepare or pack up Blockbuster quickly. | 5/5 |
Component quality | While I can see the cards becoming dog-eared and damaged if you aren't careful, everything else feels built to last. I🅘t looks awesome thanks to the '90 theming as well. | 4/5 |
This review sample was provided by the publisher.
I've played Blockbuster in my own time for years now, and it's remained in rotation at my house ever since I first published this review back in 2021. Since then I've tried it with numerous groups of people in different circumstances. I've a☂lso tried it alongside other party board games to get a sense of how it compares.
In terms of my credentials, I h꧂ave been writing professionally since 2012 and have covered board games for GamesRadar+ for more than six years.
To get a broader overview of our process, don't miss our guide to 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test board games. As for a wider overview, be sure to check in on the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ reviews policy.
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I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and now manage GamesRadar+'s tabletop gaming and toy coverage. You'll find my grubby paws on🃏 everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news.
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