Blockhead! is a simple tabletop game suitable for children four years of age or older. It was invented in 1952 by G.W. "Jerry" D'Arcey and developed by G.W. and Alice D'Arcey in San Jose, California. Originally consisting of 20 brightly colored wooden blocks of varying shapes, the object of the game is to add blocks to a tower without having it collapse on your turn.
Rules edit
The first player sets one of the blocks on a flat surface; this is the only block allowed to touch the base. Each player then takes turns adding a single block until the tower collapses. The player that knocks over the tower on their turn loses. A player who loses three times is eliminated. The last player remaining wins.
Blockhead! uses slang terms with a block theme: A player who has lost once is called a "square"; a player who has lost twice is a "character"; a player who loses three times and is eliminated is a "blockhead".
History edit
The game was first published by G.W. "Jerry" D'Arcey in 1952. In 1954 Saalfield Publishing Company released the first 25-block version of the game. The design of the blocks has remained consistent through each edition, the only change being modifying the yellow “double hump” to be more heart-shaped. Currently, the game is produced by Pressman Toy Corporation.
Editions edit
- 1952: G.W.D'Arcey square box
- 1954: Saalfield tall box #7563
- 1954: Saalfield square box #7563
- 1969: Saalfield Executive Edition #6163
- 1969: Saalfield Giant Edition #7625
- 1975-76: Parker Brothers
- 1982: Pressman
- 1992: Pressman Super Blockhead! - 30 Pieces
- 2001: Pressman Cylindrical Box
- Current: Pressman
Blockhead! was voted into Games Magazine's Hall of Fame and appears on the GAMES 100 list.[1]
Reception edit
Games included Blockhead in their "Top 100 Games of 1982", calling the game "Very addictive" and declaring that "We know of no better equalizer of children and adults, game fanatics and non-gamers."[2]
Reviews edit
- 1983 Games 100[3]
See also edit
- Jenga, another stacking game
References edit
- ^ "GAMES Hall of Fame". GAMES Magazine. 2005-06-15. Archived from the original on 2010-04-17.
- ^ Schmittberger, R. Wayne, ed. (November 1982). "The Top 100 Games 1982". Games. No. 33. p. 53.
- ^ "GAMES Magazine #45". November 1983.
- "15th Anniversary Celebration for Blockhead" (advertisement). Saalfield Publishing Company. 1969.
- "Blockhead Rules, Pressman". Archived from the original on 2000-09-19. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
- "Blockhead! - BoardGameGeek". Retrieved 2006-12-09.
- "Blockhead! Rules" (Game Insert/ Rulebook). Saalfield Publishing Company. 1954.
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