Game review 89: Foosketball
Does the world need a two-player-only, basketball-ised, plastic version of table football complete with multi-ball mode?
Pity the poor table footballers.
Like a medieval torture device, these most-suffering of playing components spend their days pierced by a metal rod from shoulder to shoulder.
After capture, they’ve been assembled in a row with up to four others, in a slightly more santised, PG version of The Human Centipede, doomed to cartwheel their way in position to score ‘points’ for their giant human masters.
At least then, their Foosketball cousins are the lucky ones, being that they are still able to use their arms. For twisty limbs are the USP of this mix of Foosball and Bas-ket.
Your mission? Be the first to score five points against your opponent by manipulating your massive-handed bin-headed player into position to pick up one of several balls littering the court and flinging it into the opposing basket. The orange balls score one point, while the single, precious golden ball nets you two.
Sounds easy? It is not. Foosketball shares the frustration found in table football that the ball often does not want to go anywhere near your players, resulting in spinning your speared player pointlessly around only to graze the ball into the arms of your grateful opponent.
Additionally, unlike table football where each rod is held with one hand, Foosketball requires one hand to move your old chap from side to side and another to get a grip of those massive orange balls. Yes I know what I’m saying.
That’s easier said than done at first, especially after a lifetime of table football means the concept feels alien on first play-through. Once you get the hang of it, there’s rather a sense of achievement fulfilled.
It’s fast-paced action and everything is in play all at once – no taking turns here. Blocking is paramount, too, especially when your opponent is on a mean streak – dropping your own flow and placing an arm out is necessary to stop the momentum going against you.
The downsides? Well, the plastic isn’t fantastic. And neither are the production values. While the colour scheme is bright and breezy, on our copy, one of the brackets keeps falling apart during gameplay.
Plus, the box storage is horrid, with the contents falling out once everything is in place. Either we were doing something wrong or a membership in Mensa is required to collate everything back. Whichever way, putting a game back on the shelf should not be a dexterity game in itself.
Does the world need a two-player-only, basketball-ised, plastic version of Table Football complete with multi-ball mode. No. But are ten minutes of our day brightened up , while my daughter (and I, admittedly) learn some complicated hand-eye co-ordination skills? Yes indeed.
It is a good concept with an ingenious contraption at the heart of it with malleable, throwing players. And its toy-like appeal means that our games generally descend into playing the player rather than the ball, joyfully aiming at each other’s faces rather than the basket, and forgoing the result.
It’s not one for serious tabletop aficionados, but if dexterity-based, uber-lightweight family games are your thing, then it’s a slam-dunk.
Game facts and stats
Age
8+
Year first published
2021
Publisher
Hasbro
Designer
Uncredited
Graphic designer
Danielle Sharples
Player count
2
E’s review
What do you like best about the game?
“I quite liked it but it’s also really hard.”
Is it tricky?
“Yes, when trying to pick the balls up and trying to score because people block us.”
What one thing would you change?
“I’m not sure. It’s a really good idea already.”
9/10
My review
Set-up time
About five to 10 minutes, depending on whether you’ve set it up before. The instructions come in handy here, though a couple of sections toward the end involving the base of the basket are a little mind melting.
Price
Variations on the concept are available from about £15. Hasbro’s version seems to be out of production at the moment, so it’s going for about £35 online. Don’t pay that much for it.
Practicality
Our version, while fun, is rather flimsy with the aforementioned rogue bracket. It’s also terrible to put away. Please publishers, especially goliaths like Hasbro, who should have the means to do it – please improve the storage situation.
Fun for parents?
Would prove great after-dinner fun – but don’t expect your house guests to get involved with packing everything away once finished with.
6.75/10
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