Kerplunk

Ever carefully, stressfully thought about whether you should have to snip the green or the blue wire? Welcome to the tension, skill and fun that is Kerplunk! This game was first released by the Ideal Toy Company, all the way back in 1967!

How it Plays

Kerplunk, by Hasbro, is a 15-minute game of looking carefully and thinking which plastic needle to pull so that a marble does not drop. The one that does loses….Think contained Jenga. You don’t want to have those wooden bricks make a calamity and risk chipping the fine china, with this you can make Kerplunk far more portable, and who doesn’t like marbles! Well, maybe Indiana Jones, maybe he can’t sleep at night, maybe it’s Bed Bugs.

What you can do

Be careful, take your time and check for movement before you decide on the needle. This latest release from Hasbro is a revised version of the classic you may have played decades ago. The needles are bendier which adds to the tension and cautious approach and you look to see where the load bearing needles are.

Components

The components in the latest version of Kerplunk are bright, shiny plastic, practically indestructible and lasts decades, based on prior print runs. I partially like the colour palate (modern, not too gaudy or punky, and decent needles which aren’t designed to hold in a scaffolding build).

Final Thoughts on Kerplunk

Kerplunk is a nostalgic classic, and is fun for all, especially children. There can only be one winner and you will wish to play again to see if it was a fluke. There is limited interaction, but it does not mean you cannot put someone off! The components are a little fiddly and this might not suit some. It is highly engaging, seeing if you will win when someone else messes up!