- Publisher : Iello
- Designer(s) : Zachary Connelly, Alex Cutler
- Artist(s) : Michael Parla
- Players : 1–4
- Playing time: 15–30 min
- Weight BGG : 1.00
What's this?
“Boxtop Pinball: Haunted House” is a game of skill for 2 to 4 players , suitable for ages 6 and up , for quick games lasting around 15 minutes . The objective is to score the most points by flicking your dice to throw them into a 3-level pinball box representing a haunted mansion.
How do you play?
How a Round Play Play begins with the first player, then continues clockwise . On their turn, a player must roll one of their dice .
- Placement: The player places one of his dice on the Launch Pad .
- Launch: The player flicks the die to propel it onto the flipper .
- Resolution: Once the die is rolled, the player cannot touch it . The die remains where it lands until the end of the round , unless another die moves it . If the die falls outside the flipper or into a hole, it is not worth any points .
Bonuses and Actions Landing the die can trigger immediate effects or count towards the end-of-round score.
- Monsters: If the rolled die hits a Monster (or pushes another die that hits a Monster) , the player checks off the corresponding Monster on their score sheet . The Monster is then moved to its space on the next level (High -> Medium -> Low -> High) .
- Clues: If the die rolled moves a Clue token (always during the player’s turn) , the player takes this token . He keeps it face down ; the points on these tokens will only be counted at the very end of the game .
- Haunted Realms: These are special areas marked x2, x3, or x5 . If, at the end of the round, a die is (even partially) in one of these areas, its number is multiplied by the indicated bonus .
- Summoning Circle (Bonus): If a player’s die roll lands in this circle during their turn, they may immediately roll a bonus die (taken from the 2 dice set aside at the start of the game) . If a player’s die is pushed into this circle outside of their turn, they take a bonus die and roll it on their next turn .
End of the round The round ends when all players have rolled their 4 basic dice, as well as any bonus dice they may have . The count then begins :
- Dice Scoring: Each player adds up the value of their dice remaining on the flipper , applying Haunted Kingdoms multipliers if applicable .
- Monster Scoring: Players score points based on the number of different Monsters they managed to hit during the round: 2 points for 1 Monster, 5 points for 2 different Monsters, and 10 points for all 3 different Monsters .
End of the Game The game ends after the third round . Players add up their scores from their three rounds . Then they reveal their Clue tokens and add these points to their total .
Is it good?
“Boxtop Pinball: Haunted House” immediately captivates with its clever concept and ingenious hardware, which allows you to transform your box into a sort of 3D pinball machine.
This game is a pure concentration of skill and atmosphere, where the fun is immediate: you throw your dice with a flick from a ramp, you aim at the monsters, you try to push the opponent’s dice into the traps… Laughter and insults fly; it’s a perfect game for lively aperitifs or family games, especially since its rules can be explained in two minutes. The interaction is direct, chaotic and often very funny. You have fun from the first game, and you often want to start another one as soon as it’s over.
Despite its name, don’t expect the technical thrills of a real pinball machine. This is a pure pinball game, where chaos and luck reign supreme. Players looking for fine control and precise strategy will be left wanting more. The theme, while fun, doesn’t resonate much over the course of the games, and some will regret a lack of long-term strategic depth.
In summary , Boxtop Pinball: Haunted House is a fun, fast-paced and accessible game, perfect for evenings with friends or family, provided you don’t ask too much of it in terms of strategy.
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Boxtop Pinball: Haunted House Review
Positives
- Original concept and ingenious material
- Instant gaming fun
- Ultra simple and quick rules to explain
- Guaranteed atmosphere: laughter, teasing and twists
- Ideal for families or friends
Negatives
- Strong element of chance and chaos
- Little control and strategy
- Fun theme but limited in the long run
