Smack-a-Roo

Smack-A-Roo is a fun family game that is actually 10 games in one: Baseball, Smack-It, Skeebol, Knockoff, Bowlaround, Duck Zoop, 6 Lil’ Indians, Impossi-Bowl, Clownaround, and Shoot the Works. Some of these titles reveal the type of game: “Baseball,” “Bowlaround,” and “Impossi-Bowl,” are all pretty clear, for instance. Other titles are Ideal’s proprietary titles for games or variations that they have devised for this unique “arena-style” playing board. It’s all explained in the instruction booklet, which illustrates how to play each game. Gameplay is kind of a mix of Skittle Pool, Zig Zag Zoom, and Rebound or Bumper Shot.

There is a cool little marble-shooter gadget and marbles, of course. There are other gadgets and equipment, too: tenpins for bowling games, a triangular pin-setting device, a spinner device and an abstract clown used as challenging obstacles during play, and a sidelines bat for baseball-type games. Any number of people can play—including solo (which isn’t much fun, however)—but Smack-A-Roo is best suited for 2 to 4 players.