Fun City Game (1987) Board Game

Fun City Game is a board game that was released in 1987 by Parker Brothers. Designed for 2 to 4 players, this real-time game requires players to race around the board, completing various tasks and challenges to become the ultimate winner. The game features colorful artwork by Jack Burton Davis and is suitable for players aged 8 and up.

Game Components of Fun City Game

1 Game board

1 FUN CITY Bank Clock

1 SLOG piece with a holder

4 Pawns (red, blue, green, yellow)

2 Standard 6-sided dice

36 Crazy cards (various types like Mugged, Put yourself in my place, Pickpocket, Uh-Oh, etc.)

40 FUN CITY cards (representing different locations and activities)

Instruction booklet.

How To Setup Fun City Game

To set up Fun City, each player selects a pawn and places it on the corresponding colored window at Portleigh Arms. Players are dealt three Crazy cards each, with the remaining cards forming the draw pile. The FUN CITY cards are sorted by start time and placed on the board accordingly, with the 3:00 cards at the bottom and the 9:00 cards on top. The SLOG piece is positioned in the Super Duper Market, and the bank clock is set to 9:00. A banker is chosen to manage the clock and ensure there are always four FUN CITY cards on the board. Players roll the dice to determine who goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Roll and Move: Players roll dice to move around the board.

Crazy Cards: Players can use Crazy cards to affect gameplay, such as changing places with another player or disrupting opponents.

Bus Mechanics: Players can use bus stops to move more efficiently around the board.

Shortcuts: Players can enter and exit buildings to take shortcuts.

Time Management: Players must collect FUN CITY cards within the specified time range on the card.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most points by collecting FUN CITY cards before the bank clock strikes 5:00. Points are awarded for completing errands and visiting specific locations within the designated time frames.

Player Experience

Playing Fun City involves a mix of luck and strategic use of Crazy cards. The game’s bus mechanics and building shortcuts add flexibility to the traditional roll and move genre. However, the game’s reliance on luck and the limited variety of Crazy cards can make gameplay somewhat repetitive.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: The bus system and building shortcuts add a layer of strategy.

Creative Crazy Cards: Cards like Pickpocket and Taxi introduce fun and unpredictable elements.

Clear Instructions: The game’s rules and card explanations are generally well-written and easy to understand.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: The game heavily relies on dice rolls, which can lead to less strategy.

Limited Card Variety: The Crazy cards, while creative, do not offer enough variety to keep the game fresh.

Misleading Card Text: Some cards have confusing text that may require referencing the rules.

Personal Thoughts on Fun City Game

Fun City is suited for families and casual gamers looking for a light, entertaining experience. While it introduces some innovative mechanics for its time, it may not appeal to players seeking complex strategy or high replayability. The game is a good choice for those who enjoy roll and move games with a bit of extra flair.

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