Pap the Disney Gamer's Highlights Brent's Favorite Things Week: The Magic Kingdom Board Game

Those that know Mr. Brent Dodge know that he is all about the unexpected, surprising and out of left field. So it comes to no surprise that his favorite game is not an app you can buy for your mobile device, a video game released on a console or handheld or even a virtual experience at any of the parks. Instead, his favorite game takes us way back to the days before the internet, mobile devices and computers ruled entertainment: board games. Today's Gamer Tuesday marks a first as we talk about a board game: The Magic Kingdom Board Game!

Released in 2004 and published by the Parker Brothers, The Magic Kingdom game takes place at Disneyland, the main objective is to visit all the lands in the park before the other players. At the start of the game, each player is given five random attraction cards. Players must keep this fact a secret from the other competitors. They will know what attraction these players had when they successfully have visited the attraction. The first player to visit all of his/her attractions and make it back to the entrance of the park wins the game!

As you can see from the main objective, the Magic Kingdom game is a very simple one. For bigger board game enthusiasts, the game will lack the strategy and challenge other board games like Monopoly offer. But this is designed to appeal mostly towards family audiences, with simple goals and easy to understand instructions. With its design allowing up to five players, everyone can participate without feeling left out by the game's technicalities. That doesn't mean there are not tricks you can pull off that can distract a player while on his or her goal towards park completion. Much like in a real park visit, event cards represent distractions that may keep a player away from their goal. Some of these cards feature amusing events, such as hunger (send a player to a restaurant location), being lost or itching to meet a character! This is a very clever way to present an obstacle towards the player while still keeping the theme of Disneyland intact.

Normally, this is where I would be talking about the game's graphics and visual design, but this is a board game, so instead I will talk about how it uses Disney's various assets. Provided that this is based on the happiest place on Earth, the Magic Kingdom game is very colorful, from the box to the overall board design. The game pieces are, in my opinion, the best part of the game. Each feature a different icon of the park/land, such as Sleeping Beauty Castle, Town Hall in Toontown, and even the Haunted Mansion! As small of a detail this may be, it gives a lot of character to the game. And speaking of characters, each player piece is represented by a different character from the Mickey and friends troupe. There are also pieces that represent the average park guest. They are presented in shadow form, and feature balloons, mouse hats and more.

Sometimes the best games are usually the simplest, and the Magic Kingdom game may be the simplest there is. However, much like a park experience, the fun lies in the people you play with, and how you play it. The design of the game invites anyone of any age and skill to participate and reminisce about the happiest place on Earth. The colorful aesthetics, the easy to learn gameplay and attention to detail that celebrates the culture of the Disney theme park experience makes it one worth checking out if you want revisit the days before electronic stimulation ruled the day.