Knucklebones Magazine
Greg J. Schloesser
July 2006
USA

Balancing games seem to be quite popular, and there’s no shortage of these dexterity games. The latest in this genre is the strangely named Wallamoppi, wherein two players compete to remove “kiwi disks” from a pyramid and stack them to form a tower without causing it to topple.

Out of the Box seemed to spare no expense in the game’s production, which includes 36 thick, wooden discs, 18 each in natural or dark finish. The box itself is also wood, and is actually used as an intriguing timer mechanism.

After choosing colors, players alternate removing discs from the bag and stacking them on the table to form a pyramid. Players place whatever discs they draw from the bag, either his own or his opponent’s. Discs can be placed directly onto the table or atop two other previously placed discs. The base of the pyramid must contain eight discs, but discs can be placed in higher rows before finishing the bottom row. The idea is to try to place your own discs in positions where they can be easily removed, while placing the discs of your opponents in positions that make them difficult to grab.

When the pyramid is complete, the tower-building begins with players alternating removing one disc and placing it atop the top disc in the pyramid. However, they have a time limit in which to accomplish this feat. The wooden box is stood on end and used as a timer. A marble is dropped into the box and rolls along the tracks inside the box, eventually rolling into the chute and reaching the end. A player must remove and place a disc, and grab the marble before it reaches the end of the chute. Failing to do so in time results in a victory for one’s opponent. Players alternate doing this until either one player fails to grab the marble in time or the tower tumbles.

As the tower grows, it becomes more precarious. Not only is the height of the tower a factor, but the supporting pyramid will also be growing unstable. This occurs rather quickly, so the game is quite short in duration. That’s a good thing, as it doesn’t grow stale.

While quite clever, the timing mechanism really doesn’t add that much pressure to the proceedings. It takes a handful of seconds for the marble reach the bottom. While that seems quick, it really does allow enough time for a player to remove and place a disc. The “clack” sound the marble makes while it drops from track to track, however, can add a psychological sense of urgency that really isn’t necessary.

For dexterity game fans, Wallamoppi is a nice addition to the genre. Its strengths are quick play, attractiveness, decent price and some challenge. Plus, it will certainly make an attractive game to display in your game room or on your coffee table. It isn’t as challenging as other dexterity games I’ve played, but it is still amusing. Your biggest challenge will be trying to explain why kiwis are so intent on building a tower!

Back to WALLAMOPPI Reviews page