Good & Bad Ghosts (1980) – Board Game Guys

Good & Bad Ghosts

“Good & Bad Ghosts” is a supernatural horror board game designed by Alex Randolph for two players, published in 1982 by Milton Bradley. The game has been reprinted under different titles, such as “Ghosts!” and “Good & Bad Ghosts”.

Why is Good & Bad Ghosts Popular?

“Good & Bad Ghosts” is a popular game due to its simple yet strategic gameplay, which allows players to engage in a mind game of bluffing and deduction. The game has been praised for its ability to create a tense and exciting atmosphere, as players navigate their ghosts across a gridded board to either escape through one of the exits or capture all of their opponent’s good ghosts. The game has won several awards, including the 1986 Årets spil “Best Family Game Award” and was recommended for the 1982 Spiel des Jahres.

Game Components of Good & Bad Ghosts

Game Board: A 6×6 grid with exits at each of the four corners, representing a haunted castle.

Ghost Pieces: 8 plastic ghosts for each player, 4 good and 4 evil, distinguished by small markers (blue dot for good, red dot for evil) on their backs.

Markers: To indicate the alignment of the ghosts, visible only to the owner.

How To Setup Good & Bad Ghosts

To set up the game, each player places their 8 ghost pieces in two rows of four at their back edge of the board. The arrangement of good and evil ghosts can be any order, but only the player who owns the ghosts can see their alignments.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Grid Movement: Players move one ghost per turn one square orthogonally.

Secret Unit Deployment: Ghosts’ alignments are secret to the opposing player.

Player Elimination: A ghost can capture an opponent’s ghost by moving to its square.

Game Objective: Win by capturing all four of your opponent’s good ghosts, or by moving one of your good ghosts off the board through one of the exits at the opponent’s side. Lose if you capture all four of the opponent’s evil ghosts.

Player Experience

**Good & Bad Ghosts** offers a blend of strategy and bluffing. Players must use tactics to determine the alignment of their opponent’s ghosts based on movement patterns and try to deceive their opponent into capturing evil ghosts instead of good ones. The game requires careful planning and a bit of luck, making it engaging for players of all ages.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Despite its simple rules, the game offers considerable strategic nuance.

High Replayability: The secret nature of the ghost alignments ensures each game is unique.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for children aged 8 and above, making it a great family game.

Quick Games: Games are short, lasting only about 15 minutes.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed strictly for two players, which may limit its appeal for larger groups.

Simple Components: While the gameplay is deep, the components are relatively basic.

Personal Thoughts on Good & Bad Ghosts

**Good & Bad Ghosts** is an excellent choice for those who enjoy abstract strategy and bluffing mechanics. It is particularly suited for families or couples looking for a quick, engaging game that requires tactical thinking. The game’sAccessibility and tactical nuance make it a standout in its category, earning it recommendations and awards, including the 1986 Årets spil “Best Family Game Award” and a nomination for the 1982 Spiel des Jahres.

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