I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to have found this week’s Thrift Treasure at our local Goodwill. It sounds silly, but this is actually the second time we have run across Quarto!, but the first time we had to pass on it since it was missing a couple pieces. Ever since picking up Quits last year, we have been on the lookout for a matching copy of Quarto! to complete the collection. And now we finally found one!

Another wooden game for our collection! Quarto! by Gigamic just about completes our collection, and is just as fun as the others! - SahmReviews.com

We much prefer these older copies since they are made from wood and not plastic. The game play hasn’t changed though, a sign of a well-balanced and entertaining title. At its heart, Quarto! is a quick-playing abstract games that pits two players against each other in an attempt to get four in a row. But it isn’t quite that simple – there are multiple ways to accomplish it.

Although there are two colors of pieces, this isn’t a red vs. black type of game. You are not assigned a color at all! The first player picks one of the sixteen pieces and hands it to his opponent. That person must then place it on the board. He then chooses one of the remaining fifteen and hands it back to the first player who then also must play it. This is how the game progresses, back and forth choosing the piece to play for the other person!

Another wooden game for our collection! Quarto! by Gigamic just about completes our collection, and is just as fun as the others! - SahmReviews.com

Each piece has four different characteristics. Tall or short, light or dark colored, round or square, and solid or hollow. One of these four variables are what you’re trying to line up in a row. All tall, all light, etc. With so many options, it is quite easy to miss an opportunity if you’re not looking for it. And because neither of you ‘own’ certain pieces, if you miss it, your opponent is sure to grab it!

Another wooden game for our collection! Quarto! by Gigamic just about completes our collection, and is just as fun as the others! - SahmReviews.com

A round will last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on how long each player studies the board and considers their moves. Sadly, this wooden version is no longer made, but you can find an updated wooden design still being issued by Gigamic on Amazon for well under $30! A fantastic value for something that is certain to last decades! Or take your chances on eBay – they pop up there on a regular basis as well!

21 thoughts on “Thrift Treasure: Quarto!

  1. I’ve never heard of this game before. Looks like a great find! I like that it’s not a super long game too. It’s nice to know that the game is still available online.

  2. This sounds like a game the kids I babysit would really enjoy. I like that it’s different than most games where you pick an assigned color. This sounds like it would make the kiddos think!

  3. Hubby is much like you in that he likes the older wooden sets, but we have only found a few in the past. They just don’t seem to make games like they used to. I could totally see him playing this to the max since he is obsessed with strategy 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  4. I love looking for games at thrift stores too because the old ones are so much better quality! New games are so cheap and tend to fall apart. Quarto sounds like so much fun – I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one for my family.

  5. Oh I love the look of this game! It’s great that it isn’t plastic, our plastic board games really don’t last long and the quality is poor. Love to see the wood and I think this would have the family entertained for hours!

  6. It would probably take me a while to get the jist of it but I have a sneaky suspicion I would love it if I do! And do I know someone I would love to play this with!

  7. I love these kind of detail-oriented games that require concentration! I wasn’t familiar with this one but it looks like a fun one to try and easy to learn.

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