Flicking instead of kicking: finger games by Plakks
21/12/2021
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
My kids tested «Plakks» and «Pitch & Plakks». One is table football, the other miniature golf. Two games that are popular because they’re so simple.
It takes about 30 seconds before I hear one of them cry. The reason? An own goal. It happens to the best of us. But it’s too much for an ambitious six-year-old who’s also faced with a sister who’s happy about it. It’s a double-edged sword for me. Instead of peace and harmony, the siblings are fighting again. But it’s also a good sign. It also means my kids are fully immersed in the game after just 30 seconds. It’s not surprising, as Plakks is so easy. There are two versions, which are sold separately.
Both the table football and the miniature crazy golf make do with wooden balls, a few obstacles and a goal. As soon as the game’s set up, it’s ready to play.
From the young at heart for the young
I get the appeal of the game right away. At school, my desk buddy and I used to spend entire classes flicking balls of paper into each others pencil cases. Unlike the content of the classes, this game was never boring. I imagine, the creators of Plakks started off in a similar fashion. They are childhood friends Haritz and Jordi from Barcelona, and they’ve been dedicated to balls and tracks for over three years now.
Two big boys who found happiness in small games. Plakks games are mainly made of FSC-certified wood. They contain few plastic parts and you can really tell that they’re not the product that’s been churned out of a factory for the last 30 years.
The football field is unfolded and reveals a pitch covered in green felt. The goals are made of plastic; the ball is wooden and doesn’t seem to be perfectly round. You may find this charming or disappointing, but my kids aren’t bothered. Each side gets eleven wooden pegs, which are stuck into the board and serve as «players». If you want to decorate them in your favourite team’s colours, you can order sticker sheets, print them out and use them to customise your pegs. From January, football shirt colours of Swiss teams will also be available.
The ball is alternatively flicked at the opponent’s goal using your index finger. If the ball goes into your goal, you have to remove a player. Whoever’s first to lose all players has lost. It’s as simple as that. Things only get complicated if siblings are playing against each other. For example, when a shot is deflected by the knee and there’s no VAR in sight to play back the video evidence. Emotions just keep boiling over.
My son’s final review is not entirely objective. It fluctuates between «stupid» (after letting in goals) and «super». I want to know if he thinks Plakks is better than Tipp-Kick – a toy he’s wanted various accessories for this Christmas. He replies in the affirmative. Let’s hope he will have forgotten by Christmas Eve. My daughter’s 9 years old and got a taste for writing down her opinion last year.
That’s why I have to jot down a few questions for her again for this review. Find her (unedited) answers about Plakks and Pitch & Plakks, the second version. It’s for playing miniature golf and building new courses from the existing parts over and over again.
Plakks: finger football
The game «Plakks» is quite simple and recommended for players aged 3–99. How do you like it?
It’s very good!
It’s a pity you can only play it up to 99 years of age. Do you think a 100-year-old could play it?
Yes, but a 100-year-old would have to work very hard! But so would a 99-year-old! :-)
You’re 9 and your brother’s 6. What was it like playing with him?
Lots of fun! Sometimes we’d get annoyed. Sometimes we’d get excited.
What didn’t you like so much?
That the other players sometimes stopped me from scoring a goal:-) :-) :-)
Do you think it will still be interesting a week from now?
Definitely!
Pitch & Plakks: miniature golf
The second game offers more possibilities. You can build various courses. And more people can play. Do you prefer it?
It’s also lots of fun, but I think the football game is more fun and active. Plakks miniature golf is an aiming game.
What difficulties are there?
An obstacle with a hole in it. You need to hit through it. There’s a ramp. Two obstacles that don’t cover the full course. A final hole you need to hit your ball into. A bridge you need to hit your ball over. And then there’s a final hole and a second final hole. It looks a bit like a volcano and you need to aim for it with full swing to get the ball rolling up into the hole.
Right, now you know all there is to know before you try to get the ball in the final hole. The only thing my six-year-old has to say about both games is: «New and cool, as long as I’m winning.» My nine-year-old enjoys getting just as creative while building the courses as she did answering my questions.
Verdict
If you’re more the Jenga than the Settlers of Catan type and enjoy a dexterous challenge, you’ll have lots of fun with Pitch or Pitch & Plakks. Even though the idea is simple, the games don’t get boring. On the contrary: the goal is clear and skill wins, so anyone can jump right into the game. Either for a quick duel or a whole tournament. Miniature golf offers more options and can be played in larger groups, but you don’t take turns as quickly. And football is, well, football. It will always find fans. Even when you flick the ball with your fingers.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer, dad of two. Likes to be on the move, shimmies through everyday family life, juggles with several balls and occasionally drops something. A ball. Or a remark. Or both.
