Board game with chance operation and random striker

Abstract

A surprise action game apparatus comprising in a presently preferred form a game board defining a plurality of pathways, one for each player, and each having a starting end and extending longitudinally therefrom to a finish line. There are a plurality of play pieces, one on each player's path for longitudinal movement therealong. The play pieces are adapted to be knocked over when engaged. The game apparatus further includes a knock-down unit which may be positioned at the starting end of any selected one of the pathways. The unit includes a movable wheeled toy striker vehicle and operating mechanism for propelling the vehicle along the selected pathway, but only after random or apparently random operation of the mechanism, to engage and knock down the play piece on that pathway. In play of the game, at each player's turn, the player places the knock-down unit at the start of his or her pathway and selectively operates the mechanism. For example, the player may turn a knob through increments or repeatedly push a button. Each such turn or push may permit the player to advance his or her play piece a space along the player's pathway. However, at some point after a certain number of turns or pushes, the toy striker vehicle is propelled along the player's pathway to knock over his or her play piece, which may require that the player return the play piece to the starting end. The players each attempt to be the first to advance his or her play piece to the finish line.