Match Madness (2016) Board Game

Match Madness is a fast-paced board game that was released in 2016 by FoxMind. Designed by Jeppe Norsker and illustrated by Karl Malepart, this game is suitable for players aged 7 and above. It falls under the categories of Action / Dexterity, Deduction, Puzzle, and Real-time, with a main gameplay mechanic being pattern recognition.

Game Components of Match Madness

Blocks: A set of 5 puzzle blocks for each player.

Pattern Cards: A stack of objective cards showing various patterns.

Game Modes: Quick Play and Total Madness modes.

Expansion: Match Madness Extreme expansion available.

How To Setup Match Madness

To set up Match Madness, start by scrambling the blocks and placing the pattern cards face down in a single stack for Quick Play, or into five distinct face-up piles for Total Madness. Each pile in Total Madness is arranged by difficulty, with cards worth 1 to 3 points each.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Quick Play:
– Players simultaneously try to arrange their blocks to match the revealed pattern card.
– The first player to match the pattern grabs the card and keeps it.
– The game continues until all cards are claimed, with the player collecting the most cards declared the winner.

Total Madness:
– Players attempt to match any of the face-up cards on the table.
– When a player believes they have a match, they yell “Match!” and point to the card.
– If the arrangement is correct, the player takes the corresponding card; if incorrect, they lose a previously completed card.
– The game ends when all cards are claimed, with the player having the most points declared the winner.

Player Experience

Match Madness is a fast-paced, tactile game that challenges players to recreate patterns quickly and accurately. The game is intense, with players often feeling flustered and frustrated as they spin, turn, and slide their blocks to match the patterns. However, for those who enjoy puzzles like Rubik’s Cube and tangrams, Match Madness can be highly engaging and enjoyable.

Pros

Attractive Colors and Design: Vibrant colors and easy-to-discern patterns.

Substantial Components: High-quality blocks designed to withstand frequent use.

Dual Game Modes: Quick Play and Total Madness offer different levels of challenge and strategy.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for younger players to develop their pattern recognition and problem-solving skills.

Cons

Limited Appeal: The game involves repetitive pattern-matching, which may not appeal to everyone.

Speed-Dependent: Success is heavily dependent on speed, which can be frustrating for slower players.

Personal Thoughts on Match Madness

Match Madness is ideal for those who thrive on speed and puzzle-solving. If you enjoy the challenge of recreating patterns quickly and outsmarting your opponents, this game is perfect. However, if the idea of repeatedly spinning and arranging blocks does not appeal to you, you might find the game less engaging. It is particularly great for families and younger players looking to develop their cognitive skills, but it may not be the best fit for players seeking more complex gameplay or strategic depth.

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