Roller Coaster Rush (2023) Board Game

Roller Coaster Rush is a thrilling board game designed by Scott Almes and published by Pandasaurus Games in in 2023. The game combines elements of action and dexterity, making it a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages. With a modular board and open drafting mechanics, Roller Coaster Rush offers endless possibilities for strategic gameplay.

Game Components of Roller Coaster Rush

Blueprint cards

Track pieces (high, medium, and low humps, half-circle and L-shaped turns)

Marble (plastic)

Investor cards

Showstopper cards (optional)

Money (coins)

Starting piece for each player

How To Setup Roller Coaster Rush

To set up the game, each player starts by receiving a hand of blueprint cards, $20, and their marble. Players then find the track pieces that match their blueprint cards and a starting piece. Each player builds their starting prototype coaster using all their starting pieces. Investor cards are placed on the “uninterested” side.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Auction: Players bid secretly for blueprint cards to acquire track pieces.

Dexterity: Players run their marbles down the constructed coaster tracks.

Resource Management: Players manage their money to bid in auctions.

Game Objective

Design and construct a roller coaster using blueprint cards and track pieces.

Win auctions to add or replace track pieces.

Demo the coaster for investors to earn money.

The player with the most victory points, earned by how far the marble travels down the completed coaster, wins the game.

Player Experience

Roller Coaster Rush is a light game where the fun is more in the building and running of the coaster than the final result. The game involves simple mechanics but can be frustrating due to issues with track piece connections and non-uniform marbles. Players must balance bidding in auctions with demonstrating their coaster to investors to earn additional funds.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Kinetic Fun: Involves building and running a marble down the coaster tracks.

Simple Mechanics: Easy to learn and play.

Interactive: Players can demo their coaster to earn money and interest investors.

Cons

Quality Issues: Cheap, all-white plastic pieces and packaging problems.

Non-Uniform Marbles: Marbles vary in smoothness, affecting gameplay.

Limited Replay Value: Game becomes a toy after a few plays rather than a board game.

Frustrating Track Pieces: Connections between track pieces can be problematic.

Personal Thoughts on Roller Coaster Rush

Roller Coaster Rush is for those who enjoy light, family-friendly games with a mix of auction and dexterity elements. However, it may not satisfy players looking for complex gameplay or high-quality components. Despite its promising concept, the game falls short due to several design and material issues, making it less appealing for serious board game enthusiasts. It is best suited for casual players or families with younger children who might enjoy the kinetic aspect of building and running a roller coaster.

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