Quick Look: Cockroach Salad
Publisher: Drei Magier Spiele
Designer: Jacques Zeimet
Artist: Rolf Vogt
Player Count: 2-6
This is the first installment of our Small Game Series, a series of articles in which we discuss–in brief–various games with small boxes and/or small footprints. We’ll discuss what makes the game enjoyable, who might enjoy it, player count and implications of such, how big the box actually is (i.e. will it fit in your cargo shorts pocket or are you better off putting it in your backpack?), depth of gameplay, and why this game was selected. To get this series started, we’re giving Cockroach Salad a look. Unfamiliar with this one? Well, it’s time to get reading!
Why it’s Good
It’s fast-paced, brings the laughter, and messes with your brain. Like, seriously. Everyone has a stack of cards and must play the top one on their turn and say what it is (I.e. lettuce, pepper, tomato, cauliflower). But wait! If it matches the card that was just played before them, they can’t say what it is, so they have to say one of the other three.
But wait! You can’t say what was just said, so if someone played a pepper and says “Pepper,” and then you play a pepper, you have to say something else!
But WAIT! If there is an infested veggie card played, cards must be played on a new stack and you’re not allowed to say what came before you as well as what is on the infested card showing on the other stack.
BUT WAIT!
If you get another infested veggie card, you put it on the stack and go back to the other one. And this leaves you with even fewer options of what to say.
And this is how you break your brain.
But really, Cockroach Salad is a ton of fun. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and I’ve never not had a lot of laughter throughout.
Who it’s For
Play Cockroach Salad with kids, parents, partners, friends, and anyone else, for that matter. It’s a great ice breaker, filler, and a great game to play on trains and planes. It’s for people who can enjoy a silly game, so if Euros are all your group is interested in, then perhaps Cockroach Salad is one to play at home…without them.
Player Count
Cockroach Salad plays from 2-6 players (sorry, no solo variant). I find it to be good at all player counts, as it’s fun to see everyone else mess up and struggle, but the intense back-and-forth of two- and three-player games really is a blast.
Pocket or Backpack?
This game will fit nicely in your pants pocket—no cargo shorts needed! Because it’s so small, you can bring it pretty much anywhere. Going to a posh restaurant and want to kill time while waiting for your food? Bring Cockroach Salad! On a business trip? Convince the bloke next to you on the plane to play with you! You get the idea.
Depth
Play card, say what it is. Or don’t, depending. And that’s it! Not too complicated, but as the game gets going, your brain gets spinning. I wouldn’t call this a strategy game by any means, but there is a certain complexity to it. It’s the tabletop version of Zip Zap Zop (kind of), in that you need to react quickly to what your neighbor just did.
Why I Chose Cockroach Salad
Cockroach Salad deserves the mention due to its compact size and ability to engage in a fun and fast-paced way. It’s a great game to play while waiting for the rest of your group to show up, at family reunions (your crazy uncle is gonna love this one!), or for a fun time with family.
While I haven’t used it for such, I find there are practical uses for Cockroach Salad as well. For example, I mentioned this is the tabletop version (more or less, kind of sort of…) of Zip Zap Zop. Well, you can use this game as part of theater exercises, for instance. Or, it can be a fun ice breaker with the new family in the neighborhood or on a group date to lighten the mood. Of course, the best practical use is to simply have fun and enjoy yourselves.
Conclusion
Cockroach Salad is fast, fun, and is enjoyable by many different types of gamer preferences. Its small size makes it a viable option to take anywhere (except maybe scuba diving), and its quick gameplay allows for it to be played during most lulls, be it at restaurants, wedding receptions (yawn), or the airplane tray tables.
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