Subbuteo Rugby (1970) Board Game

Subbuteo Rugby is a tabletop sports game that was released in 1970 by Peter Adolph, the same creator of the popular Subbuteo soccer game. It is a two-player game that simulates the sport of rugby through finger flicking mechanics. The game has gained a cult following among fans of rugby and tabletop sports games.

Game Components of Subbuteo Rugby

Pitch: A cloth pitch, similar to other Subbuteo sports games.

Players: Small plastic player tokens, often with lightweight designs in red/white and blue/white colors for the later versions.

Rugby Ball: A small, dark brown plastic ball, shaped similarly to an American football.

Goals: Metal rugby posts with white celluloid tubing.

Rulebook and Paperwork: Included to explain game rules and variations.

How To Setup Subbuteo Rugby

To set up the game, players need to lay out the cloth pitch, place the metal rugby posts at each end, and distribute the player tokens according to the chosen team compositions. The rulebook provides detailed instructions on setting up the teams and starting the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Score points by carrying or passing the rugby ball to the opponent’s goal area.

Mechanics:
– Flicking players to move them around the pitch.
– Using players to pass and tackle the ball.
– Kicking the ball for penalties or conversions, though this mechanic is less ideal due to the nature of rugby.

Player Experience

Playing Subbuteo Rugby can be an engaging but sometimes frustration-filled experience. The game attempts to capture the essence of rugby, including both league and union rules, though it lacks certain complexities like rucks and mauls. The flicking mechanism, while effective for football, can make the gameplay feel slow and bogged down due to rugby’s unique rules and continuous team movement.

Pros

Flexibility: Can be adapted to both rugby league and union rules.

Nostalgia: A classic game that can evoke memories of earlier sports simulations.

Simple to Learn: Basic mechanics make it accessible to new players.

Cons

Limited Complexity: Lacks key aspects of rugby such as rucks and mauls.

Slow Gameplay: The flicking mechanism can make the game feel slow and less fluid than desired.

Limited Kicking Mechanics: The small rugby ball and flicking mechanism are not ideal for representing kicking actions in the game.

Personal Thoughts on Subbuteo Rugby

Subbuteo Rugby is for those who are nostalgic about old-school tabletop sports games or are interested in a unique take on rugby. While it may not fully capture the dynamic nature of the actual sport, it offers a simple and engaging way to simulate rugby matches. It is particularly suited for fans of rugby league, as the gameplay mechanics align more closely with this version of the sport. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a highly realistic or fast-paced rugby simulation.

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