National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (2022) Board Game

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday comedy film that was released in in 2022. The movie follows the Griswold family as they attempt to have the perfect Christmas, only for things to go hilariously wrong. The film has since become a beloved holiday tradition for many.

The board game adaptation of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was released in 2022 by Funko Games. Designed for 2-5 players aged 8 and up, this game brings the chaotic and comedic spirit of the movie to the tabletop.

Game Components of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Marty Moose tumbler: A themed tumbler included in the game.

125 cards: Each player gets a deck of 25 cards.

6 themed dice: Dice featuring characters and symbols from the movie.

Game board: Where players place and manage their cards and dice.

How To Setup National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

To set up the game, each player takes a deck of 25 cards and shuffles them face down in front of them. The player who most recently cooked a turkey goes first, a nod to Thanksgiving dinner. The game board is placed in the center, and the themed dice are ready for use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Players roll the dice to draw cards from their deck.

Card Drawing: Rolling a Clark die allows a player to draw a card from their deck and place it face up.

Cousin Eddie: Rolling a Cousin Eddie die forces the die to be placed on the game board and cannot be rolled again, disrupting the player’s turn.

Special Moves: The green die has a wreath bonus and Clark’s Christmas bonus, allowing extra card draws and discards.

Wild Card: Can be used as any number or as a 7 to discard a run of 7.

Game Objective

The game ends when a player has no cards left in their deck, indicating they have successfully avoided Cousin Eddie and played the perfect Christmas, thus winning the game.

Player Experience

The game is very satisfying to play, with well-designed dice and festive sweater-like illustrations on the cards and box. It plays well with two to five players and can generate lively debates over when to push your luck. The game is simple enough for younger players but still enjoyable for adults.

Pros

Simple and Easy to Learn: Suitable for ages 8 and up, but accessible to younger players.

Festive Atmosphere: Themed elements and illustrations create a holiday vibe.

Family-Friendly: Good for a quick and fun game with family members.

Affordable: Currently available for around $10-$19.99.

Cons

Gameplay Not Movie-Dependent but Lacks Direct Connection: The gameplay mechanics do not directly relate to the movie plot.

Luck-Based: The game relies heavily on dice rolls, which can be unpredictable.

Personal Thoughts on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

This game is ideal for fans of the movie or anyone looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-play game during the holiday season. It serves as a great gateway game for families or casual gamers who want to move beyond more complex games like Monopoly or Catan. While it may not offer deep strategic gameplay, it provides a fun and quick experience that can be enjoyed by all ages.

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