Pitchcar Review

Pitchcar is one of the finest dexterity games produced and one that everyone should try at least once.

It's a finger flicking race game where you control the car around a race track.

Opening the heavy red box you get

• Six straightaways
• Ten 90-degree curves
• Rail pieces for straights and curves
• Eight car discs with stickers
• One Start/Finish line sticker
• Rule sheet
  

First thing is to put the stickers on, the 8 car disks each require a sticker your choice as to which colour. Then the start/finish line sticker needs placing on a piece of straight track. Next up is building the track.
The track pieces are made from MDF and fit together really well, they have a black coating to make them look like a race track and to also aid in the flicking. The rules booklet comes with some suggested tracks and all are very easy to put together.

After the main pieces of track are assembled you need to put the crash barriers on. These are plastic strips that come in two sizes. The longer is used on the curves and the shorter on the straights. It's worth double checking the track as the crash barriers are only used on one side of the track pieces.

A flat table is essential for this game. The slightest difference in height will usually result in a small lip where the tracks pieces join. This can cause a few irritations when it comes to racing.

Racing is easy, its all in the flicking and shoving techniques of the racers. But before you can race you have to qualify.
Players take it in turns to do a qualifying lap. The winner is the person who can flick there car around the track using the least number of flicks. If a flick results in your car coming off the track or ending upside down you have crashed. You have to put your car back to where it was.

Once everyone has qualified the cars are arranged on the grid in typical formula one fashion. The game can take up to 8 players so the start can be a little crowded, but the more players the better. Players now take it in turn to flick there car around the track. One flick at a time. Once everyone has had a turn it starts again with the player in the lead going first. If you accidentally knock an opponent off the track you put the car back on where it came off.

After 3 laps the first player over the start/finish line wins the game. It's that simple.

This game is a lot of fun, from setting up the board to trying to rebound your car around the track its all good fun. I have played this game with several groups of people of all ages and everyone has enjoyed it. The only minor point to the game is maybe the cost. It weights in at just under £40 but you get a hefty game for the money and one that will get a lot of play.

If the price is an issue there is a Pitchcar mini version available. Its about half the price and about half the size so it may be easier to play in smaller venues. It's the exact same game that has just been scaled down.

There are also expansions for both versions of the game. I think the most impressive is the first expansion for the main game. This adds a jump and tunnel. This component alone can really transform the game. If you think you have got your flicking action down, wait till you have a vertical element added to the track.
Other expansions add chicanes, longer straights tighter curves and an elevated section. So you can really change the tracks around.

Pitchcar Expansion 1 - Jump and Tunnel
Pitchcar Expansion 2 - Crossroads and Corners
Pitchcar Expansion 3 - Long Straights
Pitchcar Mini Expansion 1 - Ramps
Pitchcar Mini Expansion 2 - More curves
Pitchcar Mini Expansion 3 - Long straights


I really like Pitchcar, its a great game to bring out at party's or when you need a break from heavier games. It's quick to setup and tear down and a game will usually last about 20 minutes unless you get stuck in the tunnel

Summary

A fun game that will get the crowd going. 9/10

Clarity of Rules Ready, aim, flick. Not much more to it. 9/10

Game Length About 20 mins for a 5 player game, so it gets a few replays in. 8/10

Value

Quality components that will last. 8/10

Overall A fantastic game that will continually hit the table no matter who is around(9/10 not an average)