I Vant to Bite Your Finger (1979)

I Vant to Bite Your Finger is a board game designed by Charles Phillips and Charlie Leicht, published by Ideal Toys in collaboration with Hasbro in 1979. The game is popular and significant due to its unique and entertaining gameplay, which involves players waking a vampire and placing their fingers in its mouth to be “bitten” by small, red felt-tip markers.

Game Components of I Vant to Bite Your Finger

A large, roughly foot-tall vampire standee

Game board featuring a dirt track around a dark hillside castle and graveyard

14 red circular spaces, a start space, and an end space

Player tokens: white discs with silhouette cut-outs of a spider, a rat, a snake, and a bat

A clock dial mechanism on the vampire figure

A twin-nibbed felt-tip marker (representing the vampire’s fangs)

A plunger behind the vampire’s head

Die for determining movement

How To Setup I Vant to Bite Your Finger

To set up the game, place the vampire standee on the board, ensure the clock dial is set to the starting position, and distribute the player tokens. Each player chooses a token and places it on the start space. The game is ready to play once all components are in place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Be the first player to complete the track around the castle and graveyard.

Mechanics:
– Roll the die to determine how far to turn the clock dial on the vampire figure.
– Turning the clock dial may cause the vampire’s cape to fly open.
– If the cape opens, the player must insert their finger into the vampire’s mouth.
– Another player then attempts to depress the plunger behind the vampire’s head.
– If the plunger is depressed, the player’s finger is marked with two red dots, and they must return to the start space.
– Players continue rolling the die and moving their tokens around the board.

Player Experience

Playing **I Vant to Bite Your Finger** is a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. The unpredictable nature of the vampire’s cape opening adds an element of surprise, making each turn engaging. The physical interaction of placing a finger into the vampire’s mouth, only to possibly get “bitten” by the red felt-tip markers, makes the game memorable and often hilarious.

Pros

Unique Mechanism: The game’s use of a physical “bite” mechanism is innovative and fun.

Interactive: Players are actively involved in each other’s turns, enhancing social interaction.

Thematic: The Halloween-themed setting and vampire character make it a great seasonal game.

Cons

Limited Replayability: The game mechanics, while fun, can become repetitive.

Risk of Damage: The felt-tip markers could potentially damage if not handled carefully.

Outdated: Modern children may find the game less appealing compared to more complex or electronic games.

Personal Thoughts on I Vant to Bite Your Finger

**I Vant to Bite Your Finger** is a nostalgic gem that suits families or groups of children who enjoy simple, interactive games with a touch of spooky fun. It’s ideal for those looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-understand game that can add a bit of Halloween spirit to their gaming sessions. However, it may not appeal to players seeking more complex gameplay or strategic depth.

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