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PlingPong (2017) Board Game

ByMichail

PlingPong is a tabletop action/dexterity game released in 2017 by Buffalo Games. It is designed for 2-4 players aged 8 and up, with a runtime of 20-30 minutes. The game revolves around bouncing balls into cups to score points, making it a fun and competitive game for players of all ages.

Game Components of PlingPong

  • 25 cups: 6 yellow, 6 red, 6 green, 6 blue, and 1 black cup.
  • 9 PlingPong balls**
  • 4 interlocking game trays**
  • Game rules**

    How To Setup PlingPong

    To set up PlingPong, place the four game trays in a grid layout. Position the cups on the game trays as instructed. Each player chooses a color and stands in the corner of the grid corresponding to their chosen color. Each player takes two balls. To determine the first player, all players bounce one ball off the table, aiming to get it into one of their colored cups. The player who succeeds first starts the game.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Players take turns shooting balls: Each player shoots one ball at a time until all eight balls have been shot, ending the round.
  • Bouncing requirement: Shots must bounce off the table at least once in the player’s corner of the grid to count.
  • Scoring: Cups with an odd number of balls are removed; cups with an even number or no balls stay.
  • Black cup penalty: If an odd number of balls land in the black cup, players who shot into it lose a cup, while other players regain a cup.
  • Game objective: The last player with cups on the board wins.

    Player Experience

    PlingPong offers a dynamic and engaging experience, with each round being quick but the overall game varying in length. The early rounds are fast-paced with many cups being removed, but as the game progresses, it becomes more challenging to hit the remaining cups. The tiered layout of the game board enhances the ricochet action, making the game more exciting.

    Pros

  • Easy setup: Interlocking trays make setup quick and simple.
  • Variety of game modes: Supports 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 8-player, Random Re-rack, Speed Round, and High Stack variations.
  • Award-winning: 2017 Award Winner, The Toy Insider Top Holiday Toys.
  • Family-friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up.

    Cons

  • No color-coordinated balls: Makes it slightly harder to track whose ball landed in each cup.
  • Potential for lengthy rounds: Later rounds can be slower as players aim for fewer remaining cups.

    Personal Thoughts on PlingPong

    PlingPong is ideal for families and groups of friends looking for a fun, interactive game that combines skill and luck. It’s perfect for those who enjoy dexterity games and are willing to engage in a bit of strategy to outmaneuver their opponents. While the game is simple to understand, its dynamic nature keeps players engaged and entertained. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to set up and can be played in various modes, PlingPong is a great choice.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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