Vintage board game "ka-bala" packaging with a large eye illustration, highlighting glow-in-the-dark feature, tarot cards, and astrological aspects, labeled as a game that foretells the future.

Ka-Bala

Ka-Bala

Ka-Bala is a talking board game manufactured and released by Transogram in 1967. The game was marketed under the slogan, “The Mysterious Game that Tells the Future”. It was molded out of green plastic that glowed in the dark and sat upon a hemispherical rocker. The game was operated by the players touching the “solary projectors,” which were handles on either side of the game. Unlike most talking boards, Ka-Bala used a large black marble as an indicator, which ran around a circular track on the surface of the game. The name “Ka-Bala” and the reference to the Zohar indicate that the game was supposedly related to Kabbalah, an esoteric school of thought in Jewish mysticism.

Why is Ka-Bala Popular?

Ka-Bala is a popular and significant game due to its unique design and connection to Kabbalah, an esoteric school of thought in Jewish mysticism. The game’s eerie green glow-in-the-dark board and the smashed dragon impaled by the Eye of Zohar give it a bizarre and fascinating appearance. The use of a large black marble as an indicator and the players’ instructions to chant specific words while operating the game add to its mystique and appeal.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more