Meet the Flintstones!

 This week we have a kids' game from 1971 that I picked up a few years ago at a thrift store, The Flintstones Messed Up Vacation Game! Actually, I found several character based games that day at that store and I snatched them all up! Unfortunately the store no longer exists, so return visits are out of the question. Still, let's take a look at the game, shall we?

Here we have the box! At first glance, it looks fine. Even fun. However, I've looked at it for a while and I have...questions. For example, why is Barney wearing a helmet? Why is Dino a sea monster? Why is Wilma's dress black instead of white? In fact, why are a lot of the clothes the wrong colors? The world may never know...

On the inside of the box, we get this not so helpful back story...

And here's the board! Now despite some glaring incorrect color choices, I really like it. It seems like some thought went into designing the alternate paths and places where only one person can stand (little stones) and two people can pass (big stones). A weird detail is the symbols on the "fall down the cliff) tiles in the upper right corner. They mean...well....nothing that I can figure out. It seems they had an idea for them and then completely neglected to let the rule writers know.

Speaking of the rules, here they are!

The bolder cards can effect the game quite a bit.

And here is the whole setup!

Note that the moves are generated by a spinner. I'm not a huge spinner fan, as they can be manipulated a little too easily by talented kids. 

And here is a close up of the pawns on the board. If these pawns seem a little out of place, it's because they don't go with this game. The game didn't have any original pawns, so I dug through my misc. parts box and came up with these vintage wooden Clue pawns. 

Here's a close up of Barney, aka Colonel Mustard.

I wondered what the original pawns looked like, and with a bit of interweb digging, I found this image. The pawns were originally these guys! If you think you've seen them before, you probably have. They were included in Which Witch, which (see what I did there?) came out in 1970!

So, how about play? Well, for a kids' game, it's not bad. The path choices and the ability to pass on some paths and not others is a nice touch. On the other hand, the cards can really turn the whole game over to chance, even if you are a great spinner manipulator. Still, for about a buck (which is what I remember paying for it) it's not bad at all!

Next week we'll have another find from that store. 

Until next time, keep searching for treasure!