Scooby-Doo has tons of toys and video games, plus the rest that they will plaster that canine’s goofy mug onto. Board video games aren’t any exception.

In honor of the Halloween season, we’re diving again into my favourite style combine: horror and science fiction. We just lately took a take a look at the Aliens board sport, and the way nice it’s. So, actually, this subsequent horror/science fiction sport should even be nice too! Right?

Scooby-Doo Game: Where Are You! was launched in 1973 by Milton Bradley. I feel it’s price stating that the present’s “final” episode aired in 1970, three years prior. Granted it acquired revived eight years later, however that’s not essential proper now. What is essential is how horribly unsuitable the whole lot about this sport is!

So, let’s start.

Mystery Inc: Renowned Treasure Hunters

Ask anybody what’s the one factor that Scooby and the gang are greatest at, and they’re going to in all probability say one thing like, “Meeting various 70’s celebrities?”.

While right, the reply we wished was “Solving mysteries.” That’s their entire factor. That’s all they do. Dealing with a monster-of-the-week shtick a long time earlier than Buffy the Vampire Slayer ever did.

So, when the Scooby Doo board sport lists the sport goal as…

…treasure looking, you might be certain this sport goes to be a doozy.

The one factor Scooby Doo is understood for, the entire level of the present and dozens of spinoffs by no means divert from fixing mysteries! And it’s undoubtedly by no means treasure looking! Okay, superb. Yeah, in Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers, Shaggy is making an attempt to hunt for his uncle’s treasure, however that didn’t come out till 1987, in order that doesn’t rely.

So, certain. Whatever. Mystery Inc has gotta pay the payments in some way. So they’re going treasure looking. I can reside with that. Let’s ignore the senselessness of the story and transfer on to the sport. How’s it performed?

Badly

No huge shock.

It’s a easy roll-and-move sort of sport that was highly regarded on the time.

Each participant takes their token and begins by the Mystery Machine within the decrease left of the board.

Wait… what’s that?

They couldn’t even get the colour of the Mystery Machine proper! It wouldn’t need to be good, may simply be blue and inexperienced with out that many particulars. But why purple?! Purple is actually the alternative of inexperienced! They took the time to ensure they acquired everybody’s seating place proper, however couldn’t be bothered to ensure they didn’t use fully the unsuitable shade. Great, transferring on.

Once everybody will get began, the gameplay follows typical pre-Catan gameplay: Roll to maneuver, hope you win. Rather than use cube like all regular and wise sport, the Scooby Doo sport makes use of a spinner set into the field insert.

To advance previous an X or a blue area, the participant should land precisely on it. Otherwise, you keep the place you might be. Board Game Geek lists this sport as enjoying in 20 minutes. I don’t know the place they acquired that info, as a result of I can’t think about anybody’s truly taken the time to complete even that. Regardless, the one purpose the sport takes that lengthy in any respect is that you must wait at these spots till you roll good.

Also, as an apart, do me a favor for a minute. Scroll again as much as the board and attempt to observe the trail you’re presupposed to take. It took me a number of passes earlier than I feel I figured it out, however I’m nonetheless unsure I’ve it proper. Anyway, transferring on.

You’re within the dwelling stretch; you made it by way of the Torture Chamber which we’re going to not discuss and to the Secret Passage. Here’s the place the sport decides to get wacky! As quickly as you land on the X area for the Secret Passage, you draw a card and do what it says. Half of them ship you backward, including much more excruciating gameplay to this horrible mess of a sport.

Also, that’s the solely time you truly draw a card. That’s it. Just if you attain the Secret Passage. They may have added different areas or anytime you attain a Blue area, however no. Just that one time. That’s sufficient. Don’t need to over-complicate the sport, proper?

The first one to achieve the treasure wins. Cool. Good job. Whatever. We’re performed now.

Final Thoughts

It shouldn’t trouble me this a lot however I’ve all the time actually favored Scooby Doo. When I discovered this sport, I hoped it wouldn’t be rubbish, however in my coronary heart, I knew it will be. Nothing about it makes any sense. There aren’t even any monsters! The field artwork exhibits a monster! Where’s that werewolf? I wanna lure the werewolf!

This may have been a incredible Mouse Trap-like sport or one thing. Having to assemble clues then when you’ve got sufficient you’ll be able to attempt to lure the monster, utilizing Scooby and Shaggy lure the monster right into a not-so-cleverly hidden lure. So a lot potential! But no, as a substitute we acquired this mess.

There is actually nothing about this sport that truly has something to do with Scooby Doo, apart from the artwork, which can be unsuitable.

So that’s Scooby Doo Game: Where Are You!. I hope you’re as upset as I’m.

Even the title is clunky and poorly designed.

Matt has liked video games of all types his entire life: board, video, battle, roleplaying. He’s labored as a author for BoLS since 2017. He’s labored as freelance editor for board sport rulebooks and has designed a lot of his personal video games as properly.

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