Spooky Stairs (2003) Board Game

Spooky Stairs is a children’s board game released in 2003 by Drei Magier Spiele. Designed by Michelle Schanen, the game features a fantasy theme and memory-based gameplay mechanics. With its colorful artwork by Johann Rüttinger and Rolf Vogt, the game aims to provide an engaging and fun experience for young players.

Game Components of Spooky Stairs

Gameboard featuring a staircase

Player pieces in different colors

Color disks for each player

Ghost figures

Dice with number and ghost symbols

How To Setup Spooky Stairs

To set up the game, place the gameboard in the center of the table. Each player chooses a color and places their corresponding player piece on the start space. They also take a color disk of the same color to indicate their piece. The youngest player goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roll and Move: Players roll the die to move their piece the corresponding number of spaces forward.

Ghost Mechanic: If a ghost symbol is rolled, the player places a ghost figure over one of the playing pieces. The ghost cannot be tipped over to reveal the piece underneath.

Swapping: Once all pieces are covered by ghosts, rolling a ghost symbol allows swapping the positions of any two ghosts. With advanced rules, players can swap color disks, changing which piece belongs to each player.

Objective: The game ends when a piece (or ghost covering a piece) reaches the top step. The player controlling the piece that reached the top first wins.

Player Experience

Spooky Stairs combines a traditional roll-and-move mechanic with a memory game element. Players must remember which ghost covers their piece, adding a layer of strategy and fun. However, the game heavily relies on luck, as rolling high numbers or ghost symbols is crucial for winning.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: The ghost and memory elements differentiate it from other roll-and-move games.

Engaging for Young Children: The game is particularly enjoyable for young children and their parents, offering a fun and interactive experience.

Nice Components: The game includes well-designed and visually appealing components.

Cons

Luck-Driven: The outcome is largely dependent on dice rolls, making it less challenging for adults and older children.

Easy to Remember: For older players, remembering which piece is under the ghost is not challenging, reducing the game’s complexity.

Limited Player Count: Best with 3-4 players; not playable with 1, 5, or more players.

Personal Thoughts on Spooky Stairs

Spooky Stairs is an excellent game for its target audience: young children and their parents. It introduces a unique twist to the traditional roll-and-move genre, making it engaging and fun for younger players. However, for adults or older children, the game may be too simplistic and reliant on luck, making it less appealing. Using the advanced rules can add some complexity, but it still may not be challenging enough for older players.

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.