Thrift Treasure: Connect 4 Dunk Game

We almost didn't buy this copy of Connect 4 Dunk because the box was missing. Turns out it didn't come with one in the first place! - SahmReviews.com

Sometimes it pays to be patient when shopping at thrift. Usually, when we spot a game we’d like to have in our collection, we must decide if the random price put on it by Goodwill is worth it or not. Their pricing is all over the place. Sometimes it’s a very fair $1.88, other times they think they’ve found gold and price a used game at $7+. And lately we’ve had to compete with other locals looking for used games (I’m talking about you, Ryan!).

Last month we found Connect 4 Dunk in the clearance section of our Stuff Etc. thrift store. If you’ve never been to one, they usually price things a little higher and then drop them 50% after they’ve sat for over sixty days. This copy had just reached the half-off level, but since it was in a bag and not the original box, we elected to pass. But this week when we stopped in again, it had now gathered dust for three months. This meant it was 80% off! A grand total of $0.80!

We almost didn't buy this copy of Connect 4 Dunk because the box was missing. Turns out it didn't come with one in the first place! - SahmReviews.com

As it turns out, there was good reason for it to be in a bag and not a box. The original packaging was a plastic clamshell that is destroyed when you open it. Why Hasbro elected for this type of container we’ll never know. Since the Ziploc it was in was transparent, we could quickly verify all pieces were present and accounted for. We were also surprised to discover the game had probably never been played as the included stickers were still on the original sheet and hadn’t been applied!

We almost didn't buy this copy of Connect 4 Dunk because the box was missing. Turns out it didn't come with one in the first place! - SahmReviews.com

Connect 4 Dunk is a 2011 variation of the classic game of Connect 4. We’ve added a few of their issues over the years, including Connect 4 Stackers, Connect 4 Launchers and u-Build Connect 4. While those previous three had you trying to line up four in a row in a more traditional sense, Connect 4 Dunk gives you two ways to win. More on that in a second.

We almost didn't buy this copy of Connect 4 Dunk because the box was missing. Turns out it didn't come with one in the first place! - SahmReviews.com

First you must assemble the playing area. Connect 4 Dunk utilizes a one-column tower made up of several pieces. Attach the legs to the bottom and funnels to the top first, then insert the release lever. Give one launcher and all of one color discs to each of two players.

We almost didn't buy this copy of Connect 4 Dunk because the box was missing. Turns out it didn't come with one in the first place! - SahmReviews.com

The object of Connect 4 Dunk is to win three rounds or get 4-in-a-row for an instant win. To start a round, one player yells, “Ready, set, launch!” Both participants then quickly launch their color discs trying to get them into the top of the tower. The first player to get four in wins the round, even if they’re not in a row.

We almost didn't buy this copy of Connect 4 Dunk because the box was missing. Turns out it didn't come with one in the first place! - SahmReviews.com

Move the scoring marker up one and start another round by releasing the lever and return all discs to their respective owners. If either player can line up four in a row during a round, they instantly become the overall winner! Otherwise, the first person to win three rounds in total is the winner of Connect 4 Dunk.

Even though it is out of print, you can still find new copies on Amazon from 3rd party sellers. You might have better luck on eBay where you’ll find several new copies available for under $20 shipped! If you find a used copy at thrift or a yard sale, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t have a box!

Have you played any of the Connect 4 variations?

11 thoughts on “Thrift Treasure: Connect 4 Dunk Game

  1. You sure scored a great deal by waiting to get this game. It looks like an interesting way to play connect 4 and one that I would like to try.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *