Barnes and Noble Connect Four Launchers - HB28951

I recently bought my son the Connect 4 Launchers game. It is a two player game for ages 5 and up.

Connect 4 Launchers is a twist on the classic Connect 4 game. Connect 4 Launchers has two 12 inch by 12 inch clear plastic trays. Each tray has 16 “pockets”. There are four legs that hold the trays. One tray is will lay right against the playing surface. The other tray is stationed at about 12 inches high.  Each player gets a launcher and discs. The discs are either yellow or red – the same colors as the discs included in the original Connect 4 game. The instructions offer three variations of games, all of which include launching the discs into the trays to get four in a row.

The first game is called the Basic Frantic Launch. At the start of the game, both players launch their pieces towards the game trays. The first to get four in a row wins the game. The version does not require taking turns, hence the “frantic” in the title. This is the version my kids typically play. I would prefer that they take turns. It takes just a few minutes to play a round. Much of the game is just luck. You have no idea where your chip will land, or if it will land on top of an opposing chip.

The Championship Frantic Launch is similar to the basic game, except that there are point values assigned based on where the location of the four in a row.

The final version is the Advanced Power Launch. This is a turn taking version. In addition, the discs are marked with stickers that are only used with this game. They indicate actions such as Go Again or Remove a Row. We have never played this version. My kids prefer the quick action of the frantic games.

My kids have played Connect 4 Launchers many times at a cousin’s home, so when my son received his own game he was thrilled. My kids love playing Connect 4 Launchers. A round of the Basic Frantic Launch is over in less than 5 minutes, and my kids will play round after round before tiring of the game.

The game board must be assembled and disassembled whenever the game is played. It is not completely sturdy, but as long as players do not lean on the board there should be no problem. The legs are likely to collapse of there is too much pressure put on the board.

When I first saw the game, I was concerned about the discs flying and someone getting hurt, but when used correctly there shouldn’t be any issue with injury. The launchers are not so powerful that they will cause an injury.
I found Connect 4 Launchers at my local Big Lots on clearance for only $10. It was a great deal for a game my kids love to play!

Recommend this product? Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 10