This week’s Thrift Treasure is proof that not every game for $2 at your local thrift store is worth the price. I have a weakness for abstract games as well as vintage titles. So when I picked up Moxie by Gopher Game Company I didn’t realize I would be wishing that Goodwill had a return policy.

I really wanted to like playing it. Almost every title from Gopher Game Company is hard to find, and while this one was in “OK” condition, I wanted it in my collection. After playing a few rounds with my wife I’m not so sure I feel that way any more.

There's a reason this game was made once and never reissued again. Gopher Game Company's "Moxie" wasn't worth the thrift store price. - SahmReviews.com

You can describe Moxie as a cross between checkers and tic-tac-toe. Each player receives eight Sorry-like plastic pawns and the box includes a removable cardboard game board. Players take turns placing their pawns on the board trying to get three in a row.

There's a reason this game was made once and never reissued again. Gopher Game Company's "Moxie" wasn't worth the thrift store price. - SahmReviews.com

Instead of placing a pawn, you can elect to move a previously-placed pawn in any direction one space (including diagonally). If you have the opportunity to jump, you must take that move instead.

There's a reason this game was made once and never reissued again. Gopher Game Company's "Moxie" wasn't worth the thrift store price. - SahmReviews.com

A jumped piece is removed permanently from the game, creating another win condition. Capture six of your opponent’s pawns and they don’t have enough to create a row of three – making you the winner.

There's a reason this game was made once and never reissued again. Gopher Game Company's "Moxie" wasn't worth the thrift store price. - SahmReviews.com

And that is the entire game. Sure, there are some strategic options available. Since jumping in mandatory, forcing your opponent to vacate a spot you need is a very valid strategy. But just like tic-tac-toe, Moxie suffers from a first-player advantage. Whomever places first has a serious advantage in the game, and unless that person makes a mistake, their odds of winning are nearly 100%.

So we can fully understand why this game hasn’t been reissued since its first publishing in 1956. Nearly 60 years of ‘aging’ hasn’t made it any better. Unlike many others we have shown you, Moxie is one Thrift Treasure you should leave at the store.

20 thoughts on “Thrift Treasure: Moxie

    1. I know I wasn’t a fan of the game when I played it, but my daughter and her grandparents did enjoy the game. At least it was only $2. :-/ I know I have bought games from thrift stores, and they just ended up as junk to be sold or thrown out.

  1. That sure does sound like a bore, while I do normally enjoy simplistic games like Tic-Tac-Toe & Checkers. I love your honest feedback, I’ll be sure to skip this one too!

  2. That stinks you guys still didn’t like the version of the game. Hopefully they can find a way to update the rules to be a bit fairer to the others in the game instead of just the one that goes first.

  3. That’s no fun if the starting player pretty much is always going to win. I’m glad it was only $2, but still it’s too bad it wasn’t worth it.

  4. Thrift stores are not super close to me but I hear about others having good finds there. I am curious how likely one is to find a good game. I might have to start checking in every so often.

  5. like to play it.. of course when i was born we didnt have internet or telephones.. so we made up games and were excited when we got to play a real game.. i could tell stories all day about way back then.. i am only 58 years young but we made up some that my grandchildren think i was not right in my younger years..

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