Unboxing
The game comes in a box that is great for reuse as a storage container. Inside there are many small pieces, instructions and a game board shaped like a bowl.
The Playtime Experience
The setup took me nearly 20 minutes to complete. For the game board there is a thick paper cover that is white and makes it look more like a real spaghetti bowl. The instructions walk you through taking the many small “ingredient” pieces and placing stickers on each of them to represent ingredients like Broccoli, meatballs, olives, mushrooms and tomatoes. There are also corresponding ingredient stickers to go on each side of the included die for game play.
After the ingredients all have stickers on them, you have to set up the game stations with the spaghetti string and the forks. There are four spaces around the side of the spaghetti bowl game board. On each space you are to clip on a base and then the corresponding colored fork for that base. To get the “spaghetti” take the corresponding strings and knot them to form a loop, one threaded through the game board and the other through the fork. Once this is done it is time to start the game play.
To start each player will pick up their spaghetti string loop, when everyone says “ready spaghetti” you drop the loop on the board. Then without moving any of the strings you have to place the ingredient pegs in each of the small holes on the bowl board and twist your form until the string is taut. Then for your turn you will roll the die and remove an ingredient from the board to correspond with the ingredient specified by the die. The goal of the game is remove pieces that frees your string without freeing your opponent. The first person to completely roll up their string around the fork wins.
Things I Liked
I like that all the pieces are color coordinated and that the bulk of the game set up is a one time occurrence.
Things I Didn't Like
This game did take quite a lot to set up and that means if you are observing the lower end of the age spectrum your child will certainly need you to do it.
Appropriate Ages
This food-based Game Zone game is recommended for our younger players 4 and older.
Final Note
I found the game play with Game Zone’s Ready Spaghetti Game to be simple and interesting. However, if I am realistic I am not sure that this game will get the kind of attention more popular games are currently seeing. The fact is the initial setup has many steps and each time you want to play kids have to remove all the ingredient pieces, drop their loop and then set up again. I feel that this type of set up over and over again may deter young ones from wanting to play. Also if you lose the small pieces this game becomes obsolete and considering the young target age group that is a real possibility. My concerns aside it was an inexpensive purchase and a cute game.
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