Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz (1982) Board Game

Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz was released in 1982 and is a trivia and word game designed by Ken Fisher. It is based on the works of renowned author Isaac Asimov, known for his science fiction and popular science books. The game is suitable for players aged 12 and above and can accommodate 2 to 30 players, making it a great option for large groups.

Game Components of Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz

Cards: Over 150 cards in each box, with each card having two sides (‘A’ and ‘B’) and three questions per side.

Categories: Six categories – Geography (Blue), History (Green), Movies (Pink), Science (Orange), Sports (Red), and Words (Yellow).

Difficulty Levels: Questions are graded into Freshman (1 point), Graduate (2 points), and Ph.D. (3 points) levels.

Scorepad: For tracking player scores.

How To Setup Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz

To set up the game, each category’s box of cards is prepared with all ‘A’ sides facing one direction. Players choose their starting positions, and the game can begin with any player. The boxes of cards are distributed among the players according to the categories.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Reach a total of 35 points by accumulating points in all six categories, with at least 3 points in each category.

Gameplay: Players take turns choosing a category and difficulty level. The player holding the box for that category asks the question, or if they requested their own category, the box is passed to the next player on the left.

Scoring: Points are awarded based on the difficulty level (Freshman 1 point, Graduate 2 points, Ph.D. 3 points).

Rounds: Play continues until a player claims to have reached 35 points. The round is completed to allow other players to tie or surpass the score.

Team Play: Optional team play where team members can answer questions in turn or confer and designate one player to answer.

Player Experience

Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz is designed to be fun and educational, rather than a rigorous intelligence test. The questions are straightforward and can be answered with a word or two. The game is accessible to a wide range of players, as it does not require deep intellectual knowledge but rather general knowledge picked up from various sources. It is suitable for any number of players and can be played in teams, making it a versatile and enjoyable party game.

Pros

Variety of Categories: Six diverse categories ensure that players with different interests can participate.

Multiple Difficulty Levels: Questions cater to different knowledge levels, making the game inclusive.

Team Play Option: Allows for collaborative play, adding a social element.

Educational Value: Players can learn new facts in a fun and engaging way.

Cons

Question Repetition: Cards need to be flipped and reused once all ‘A’ sides have been used, potentially leading to repetition.

Outdated Information: Questions from 1982 may not reflect current knowledge or events.

Physical Storage: Managing multiple boxes of cards can be cumbersome.

Personal Thoughts on Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz

Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz is ideal for trivia enthusiasts, families, and groups looking for a light-hearted and engaging game night experience. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy general knowledge quizzes without the pressure of intense competition. The game leverages Asimov’s diverse expertise, ensuring a broad and interesting set of questions that can be enjoyable for players of various ages and backgrounds.

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