Thrift Treasure: Blockade
We regularly find games at our local thrift stores that are no longer available at the retail level. Either the game wasn’t good, the publisher went under or it just doesn’t live up to current trends. This week’s Thrift Treasure feature makes us wonder why it isn’t still available.
Blockade from Lakeside Games was originally issued in 1975 and again in 1979, which is the version we purchased. One of the original designers did reissue the game under the name “Quoridor” in 1997 through a number of different publishers, and much of the game play is also the same in “Pinko Pallino” by the same designer. However, there doesn’t seem to be a current version of the game at all.
A hefty plastic playing field along with colored walls and avatars are included, as are thorough instructions. Blockade is designed for two players, although I could see two teams of 2 also being able to enjoy the game.
The goal is pretty simple, get one of your avatars to one of your opponents starting space. You can only move two squares per turn in any direction (except diagonal).
The twist is that during every turn you also place a ‘blockade’ to slow down your opponent’s progress. Blue walls must go one direction, green walls must be laid perpendicular to them. First to get one of their avatars to the other players starting point (either one) wins.
Any guess who won? (Hint: not her)
We love older games that don’t “look old”. If it wasn’t for the dated design of the box, the color and quality of the game would not give away the fact that it was over 35 years old! This is a great strategy game for two players and no two games will be alike. As I mentioned before, Blockade is no longer being published, but you can find copies available on eBay for under $5! (Ignore any higher auctions, there are plenty at this price level). Of course don’t forget to check your local thrift store!
Great find! I love junk shops. I got the best version of Cludeo at one a few years ago. Needless to say I haven’t stopped playing it yet.
There’s a version of Quoridor at our Goodwill right now, and it took everything in me not to buy it for $3. It was missing one wooden barrier, otherwise it would be mine! I’ve never seen Cludeo in the wild, would love to find one!
Great find and for a fair price as well. Thrift shopping is becoming a art form now in terms of finding good prices. Goodwill is a lot more expensive these days in comparison to the Salvation Army. Thanks for sharing your find Scott!
I love the vintage box. It sounds like a fun game. You should start rallying for them to start making this game again.
This is a game my kids would really have a lot of fun with! And I love that it will give them more to do than just watch TV all summer long.
I remember this game! It was a lot of fun trying to block the other person. What a great find. Next time I am in the thrift store I will have to look and see what games they have.
I love thrift finds. I remember this game but that in no way means I am an antique lol. Looks fun 🙂
I haven’t heard of this game before, sounds like something my husband would really get a kick out of!
This looks like a really fun game! I definitely would not have guessed it was from the 70s.
Never heard of this game before but it looks like a fun one that we can take camping with us. I’ll have to pick one up before next weekend!
I love thrift shopping & always find tons of neat things there. This game definitely looks like fun.
Looks like a great strategy game. My oldest always beats me at these kinds of games, her mind just works more quickly
I think I remember this game! I used to play a lot of games like this when I was young.
Sweet thrifting find! I wish I could have better luck thrifting but I have heard from friends who do it that it is all in the amount of time you put into it. I don’t go much, so I don’t have much to show for it…..but I would love to find steals like this! Awesome job!
I absolutely LOVE this meme you’ve created! Long ago board games are often sadly forgotten and I love how your bringing them back and highlighting their history 🙂
I spent hours playing this classic game. We spent hours playing this game growing up with popcorn and Kool-Aid.
Okay, this looks like such a great game… would actually be awesome for our family game nights. Hubby’s brother and nephews come over and let me just tell you; it gets really loud with the trash talk, LOL
I love your retro game features! I have never heard of this one but it looks so fun!
This looks like a really fun game! I love that it is from the 70s and still has the pieces with it.
Looks like an awesome game. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before – and I love board games! Wish I could find little treasures like this when I’m thrift shopping! 🙂
How fun! I had never heard of this one… and this totally made me want to go search thrift shops for games.
Who doesn’t love a good thrift store?! I always love wandering around and seeing what kind of games there are available. You forget a lot of good ones until you come across them years later!
What a wave of nostalgia–I totally forgot about this game! Well done. And thanks for the memories. 🙂
hmm. so do you think that blokus may be kind of similar to this? it’s all i have. also i want to get my own copy of this, looks FUN
What a great family game night idea. My kids would love this.
Strategy games like that are lots of fun. That was a super thrift store find and in amazing condition.
I never heard of that game before but it looks fun. I have to try to find it to add to our game collection
Fun game to try for family game night. Will look for it in my area stores.
That’s too fun!!! I love reclaiming things at thrift stores. Great game in great condition too that’s the best part!
I love these types of games, especially the older games. I don’t think I have played this one before but my favorite is Clue.
Scott,
This post gave me such a great idea. It would be really cool to get my friends (4o and up) old board games from thrift stores. Wow, thank you!
-Renee’