This week's game...the game of unstable blocks and jeering taunts that is Jenga. And since this a gaming blog, we'll also take a look at a few Jenga variations, specifically Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, and Tetris variants.
Players: 2+ (only 2-4 in Donkey Kong and Space Invader variants)
Time: 15-30 minutes
Genre: Casual Family / Party Game
Jenga is a very straightforward game with a unique mix of lighthearted fun and immense pressure. Taking 54 rectangular blocks, players stack them together in an alternating 3x3 pattern to create a tall, seemingly stable tower. Players then take turns pulling one block out at time and putting it atop the tower. Players are not allowed to take blocks from the top two rows and any block not taken, but is moved out of place must be put back before the next player is to go. Rules also dictate that players are to only use one hand when pulling out blocks (though most casual players never enforce this). As the tower becomes taller and more unstable, it's only a matter of time and physics before such comes crashing down on the unfortunate player, deeming everyone the winner.
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| An inevitable conclusion to Jenga. |
Of course with this simple concept, there is an abundance of various versions and knock-offs (they are just wooden blocks after all). So let's take a look at a few popular video game inspired variants. Donkey Kong Jenga turns each block into girders, to which the infamous Kong sits atop daring various carpenters to challenge him in rescuing Paulina. Each player is given a Mario peg (known as Jump Man back in this arcade game) and places them in holes at the end of each girder. Taking turns using a spinner, players will move their Jump Man up the spiraling tower and remove the indicated girders. If a girder should be removed in which a player's peg is resting, that Jump Man will fall to the next girder. Alternatively, if another player's peg is in the way of your Jump Man advancing, you can jump above to the next available girder. First player to reach the top or the player closest to the top when it all inevitably comes crashing down wins. This variation can add a nice competitive or cooperative mix to things depending how you want to play, should you decide to work together and save Pauline.
Tetris Jenga features a variety of different shaped blocks in the styling of Tetris. Each layer of the tower doesn't need to be a perfect 3x3 square as the math will not always add up. The challenge in this variation comes from the fact that weight distribution is more difficult to predict due to the variety of odd shapes holding up this tower. I'm less inclined to recommend this version as the pieces here are plastic, which combined with the unusual shaped pieces just make this version especially prone to easy collapses. You'll spend more time building than playing.
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| Donkey Kong Jenga (left); Tetris Jenga (middle); Space Invaders Jenga (right) |
Lastly, Space Invaders Jenga plays similarly to Donkey Kong Jenga, but in opposite fashion. Each player is given an Invader peg and starts their extraterrestrial beings instead at the top of the tower. Players use a spinner to move their Invaders down closer to the Earth and determine how many blocks to pull. Pulled blocks will also include various text once pulled that may speed all Invaders' descents or stun the player with a laser. The first player to reach the Earth or the closest player to the Earth when the tower collapses wins. I recommend the Donkey Kong or this Space Invaders versions as they allow for standard Jenga play along with these cool variations. And I recommend Jenga for those who enjoy loud noises and can handle pressure.
If you have any questions about Jenga or these variations, let me know in the comments. Otherwise, look forward to future installments of Tabletop Tuesday!
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