Be Quick or Be Squashed
I get embarrassed when I have to admit it sometimes takes us a long time to publish a game review. The delays can be for a number of reasons: Our calendar is full, there was an issue with the game, or maybe we just didn’t have much good to say. In the case of our latest featured game, Squashed, I can proudly say the reason was “none of the above”. The real reason? The game is selling so well that PlaSmart keeps running out and hasn’t been able to get us a copy!
So let’s back up a little. Last fall we attended the Chicago Toy & Game Fair and met our friends from PlaSmart. They had a number of new offerings they were showcasing (see Morphology & Drop Shot) and provided us with copies at the show. We also had the opportunity to interview the inventor of Squashed, Mr. Nick Metzler, who was kind enough to take questions from one of our budding reporters.
The public’s reaction to the game at ChiTag was so great they were worried they didn’t bring enough of them to sell (they were correct). After restocking (then running out again) and restocking once more our copy finally arrived last week. We couldn’t wait to tear into it.
I guarantee you have never played a game like this one. Sure there are plenty of “land on your opponent and send them back to start” games out there, but none that let you physically SMASH your opponent’s piece off of the game board.
The premise is simple – be the last man standing. This is “King of the Mountain” in a 3D cube. Each player (up to 4) starts with four pieces placed on each horizontal side of the cube.
The “King” piece is place on the top and play begins. Each person rolls a special die numbered from 1-3 and moves a piece (or pieces by splitting the roll) the matching number of holes. You can move in any direction horizontally, vertically, around a corner, etc. – every direction except diagonally. You can even change direction in a move.
In this game you are trying to land on another player to squash them into the center of the cube and out of play.
This squashing part is actually quite fun, you put your piece on top of the other one, push hard and they “pop” through the cube, landing in the middle.
Here’s the catch. You can also land in one of the four gray spaces surrounding the king. This allows you to rotate the cube on one side and squashing EVERYONE on that face of the cube!
In this scenario our youngest eliminated one piece from each of her opponents in one move! After they are all Squashed, the king is removed from the side and placed back at the top of the cube. Play continues until there is only one piece left!
Each game only takes 5-10 minutes at best (including setup) which makes it perfect for a quick game or two before bedtime. The entire unit is well-built from hard plastic and holds up well to the ‘squashing’. Rated for ages 6+, our smaller-than-normal 9-yr-old did have some difficulty removing the pieces from the board to move them, but it didn’t sour her from enjoying the game.
Very simply, this is a FUN game and one we really can’t compare to anything else in our collection. Highly-rated on Amazon (and almost out of stock there again!), this is definitely one that should be on your wish list. PlaSmart has a number of other great products available on their website, and be sure to check out their Facebook and Twitter pages to keep tabs on what they have in store for us this year. With the weather finally warming up I’m sure you’ll be seeing their line of PlasmaCars on your neighborhood streets!
My kids would love the smash effect. Nothing is more fun that smashing a sibling off the board, I’m sure…well, unless it’s smashing mom or dad off the board. 🙂 I like that it can be played so quickly.
I think what I may like best about this game is that it only takes 5-10 mns to play.. my girls have short attn span.
When we were little we actually SWIPED game pieces off when we played sorry… it got kind of brutal.
Now that looks like something that my boys would totally fight over….er I mean have fun with LOL. They would definitely like it and they would definitely end up in a brawl over it, too. Ahhhh, boys.
Looks like a great game. My husband would enjoy it!
Perfect game for younger kids. My kids don’t have long attention spans at 4 & 6 so the quick game play is a key feature for us.
Oh this looks like SO much fun!!! Me and my kids would love to play this!
This game looks like SO much fun! I’m always looking for new games for my two little boys.
Ooh wow, this company is all new to me! Where have I been! Plus, I love a good game.. especially one that isn’t confusing to set up and get started! Your budding reporter is so cute, what a neat experience!
That looks like a really fun game! My daughter would probably love it when she’s a little older.
Now that ‘s interesting! So is it sort of like Sorry played on a Rubik’s cube?
Yes and no. The cube doesn’t turn like a Rubik’s cube, you turn the WHOLE cube. In Sorry you have to get to base, in this one you Squash the other players.
That’s neat! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cube game before. And pick up your shoes!
🙂 I was wondering if anyone would see that!
Squashed looks like a fun game. My grandkids would probably like it.
This looks like so much fun to play! I bet my son who have a blast with it! Great product!
my kids would FLIP for this. squashing opponents? sign us up!
This is perfect for novelty games! I am sure that the kids would love it and even adults can play the game. Thanks for the review. I hope I can get one of those. 🙂
This does sound really fun! I’ve always loved games like these where the whole family can play 🙂
My boys would love Squashed. Looks like a great game, I will have to check it out
Now this looks like a game my family will love considering squashing is in the rules!
Squashing is definitely high on my son’s list of things to do! We’ll need to find this one!
This looks like a fun game that the whole family would enjoy. We are big on game nights here and are always looking for something fresh to add in the mix!
Oh my gosh, I love games. Any and all games. I would have so much fun with this one!
Squashed looks like such a fun game! I love that it’s quick to set up and play for those short blocks of time between activities- like bedtime as you mentioned!
This looks like a really fun game! My daughter would love it I am sure!
I think my son is a bit young for this, but it looks like fun! I’m sure he’d love it when he gets a little older.
I REALLY wanted to go to they Toy Show but we had to miss it! 🙁 Looks like you had a lot of fun! Your reporter did a great job!
Oh, I saw this game at ChiTAG too and it looked so fun! I totally have to get one to play with my oldest, she would love it!!
this game looks like so much fun. I’m going to get it for my nephews for their birthday.
Oh wow that looks great. My kids LOVE games like this…we may have to pick this up.
This looks like a super fun game I’d love to play. I love how she handled the Q&A on the video too.
I am glad that you were finally able to get your hands on Squashed. It looks like a lot of fun!
Sounds like an interesting game, even one that adults would enjoy playing!
Sounds fun!
Looks like a great game, and omg – laughed at the “pick up your shoes” on the pic.
This looks like a great game! I love the pictures of your daughter.
Wow looks great. I see a future Christmas gift! Thank you for letting us know about this.
It appears to me that it’s really a good piece of toy for kids. My toddler will surely like it too.
That looks like a neat game. Very cool! 🙂
This looks like another really fun game!
What a fun game! I cant wait till my daughters get a little older I will def try this out with them!
This game looks fun, no wonder it keeps selling so fast. Even I would enjoy playing it, if I were able to get my cousins away from it. They are obsessed with games!
How FUN!! We love games in our house 🙂 “We haven’t played this one yet. We need to try Squashed!
Looks like a really fun game! I think I would enjoy a lot playing it with my son. Hope I can find it here.
I have never heard of this game before this, but glad you share this one with us. It sounds like a fun and interesting game that the entire family can play. 🙂 How awesome! It is also colorful too!
This sounds like so much fun for everyone. Our family likes to play games that destroy the opponents so I am adding this to our Christmas list. (assuming they have it in stock by then 😉 )
WhatA Great Game Perfect For My Daughters Thank You
Haha! SQUASHED. I can TOTALLY see my boys having fun with this one! Plus, if gameplay really IS this short, it won’t be something that I’ll roll my eyes at. Hmmm. . . May have to look into it! 😀
I am pretty picky about the games we own. I am putting this one on the Christmas list to buy my children…shhh don’t tell them : )
That looks like fun!! Great way for some family time!!
Oh wow, that looks like loads of fun!! I know my kids would have a ball with it!
Looks like a neat game. I think the fam would be up for a game of this!
This looks like so much fun! Definitely a game I’d play with the kids. And the best part for them would be Squashing their parents, I’d bet!!!
I remember playing King Of The Mountain. This would be a much safer way to play than how we used to do it.
Now this sounds like a fun game! Too bad I am currently living alone-I would definitely get it!
The premise behind this game is really cute. I like unique games like this that get kids engaged and having fun.
Can’t wait to play!
I need to get this for the kids and then set up a pool betting on who’ll throw the first fit for getting squashed, lol.
I like that your kids are included in the interviews you conduct. The game looks nice and sizable for kids as well, though might be a bit of a pain to store.
Looks like something I want to play with so I know both if my kids would love one!