Trouble

(Unknown), Amuze, Anker Play Products · Board game · 1965
2–4 · best 4 45 min Weight 1.1/5
6.0 rating Ludopedia
3.9 rating BGG
Buy
6.0 rating Ludopedia
3.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy classic games with a touch of luck and a lot of nostalgia, Trouble is a sure bet! It's that simple game that entertains everyone, perfect for introducing newcomers to the world of board games.

Highlights
  • Guaranteed nostalgic fun
  • Super simple and fast rules
  • The iconic Pop-O-Matic!
Keep in mind
  • Lots of luck involved
  • Interaction can be frustrating
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for classic fun with Trouble, the game that introduced the world to the iconic Pop-O-Matic die roller! If you remember that plastic popping sound, you know what to expect: an exciting race where the goal is simple: be the first to get all your pawns to the finish area. Each player chooses a color and, on their turn, presses the magic bubble to roll the die. A six is the key to getting a pawn out of the base and onto the track. From there, it's pure luck and basic strategy: move your pieces around the board, hoping not to land on an opponent. If that happens, the unlucky player's pawn goes back to the start! And be careful not to be the one bumped and have to restart your journey. For those looking for an extra challenge, an optional rule suggests that bumped pawns only return to their starting space, and only when they leave that space are they sent back to the base. Trouble is a great choice for introducing younger players to the world of board games, with easy-to-grasp rules and that dose of adrenaline with every roll. It's the kind of game that entertains generations, perfect for a family afternoon or for those who want to relive the nostalgia.

The game is a simplified variation of Pachisi, focusing on the roll-and-move mechanic, with a racing element where interaction occurs when one pawn 'bumps' another. Tension builds with each round, as no one wants to see their pieces sent back to the start. It's a fast-paced, straightforward game that guarantees plenty of laughs, especially when the die decides to play a trick on someone. The Travel Trouble version, for example, keeps the essence but with a smaller board for even quicker games. If you're looking for something light, with a touch of luck and lots of interaction, Trouble is a classic worth checking out.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

7 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Animals: Bears Animals: Birds Animals: Cats Animals: Dinosaurs Animals: Dogs Animals: Hedgehogs / Porcupines Animals: Penguins Animals: Pigs Animals: Turtles Books: Harry Potter Books: Winnie the Pooh Brands: Disney Characters: Caillou Characters: Hello Kitty Characters: Minions Characters: Moomins Characters: Smurfs Comic Books: Marvel Universe Comic Books: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Components: Magnets Components: Pop-O-Matic Creatures: Trolls Movies: Cars Movies: DreamWorks Animation Movies: Frozen Movies: Pixar Movies: Star Wars Movies: Toy Story Religious: Christianity Religious: Judaism Religious: The Bible Series: World's Smallest (Super Impulse) Theme: Dolls Theme: TV Detectives Theme: Under the Sea Toys: Barbie Toys: Lalaloopsy Toys: Shopkins Toys: Transformers Traditional Games: Pachisi / Ludo TV Shows: Bluey TV Shows: Charlie's Angels TV Shows: Dinosaur Train TV Shows: Dora the Explorer TV Shows: Go, Diego, Go! TV Shows: Little Einsteins TV Shows: Paw Patrol TV Shows: Thomas the Tank Engine Video Game Theme: Angry Birds Video Game Theme: Sonic the Hedgehog
Publisher (Unknown), Amuze, Anker Play Products, The Canadian Group, Cardinal, Cayro, The Games, Cookie Jar Entertainment, Danawares, Dedimi, Disney/Pixar, DreamWorks, Egmont Litas, Falcon Games (I), Feva (UK) Ltd., Forever Clever, Fundex, Gabriel, Goliath Games, Grafix Travel Games, Habano-Trisma S.A., Hasbro, Humbert & Brandt GmbH, IRWIN Games, Irwin Toy Ltd., Just Play, Kohner Bros., MB Giochi, Milton Bradley, Mountains China Co. Ltd., Nelospelit, Nelostuote Oy, Pavilion, Peliko Oy, Peter Pan Playthings, Pressman Toy Corp., Reflexshop, Rite Lite Ltd., Saenggak Plus Edu, Sambro, Spear's Games, Spin Master Ltd., Super Impulse, Tactic, Tiimari, Walt Disney Productions (Disney), Winning Moves Games (USA), ZagPlay
Designer Frank Kohner, Fred Kroll, Paul Kohner
Artist (Uncredited), Peyo

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

8,486owners
133wishlist
9want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play?
Trouble is for 2 to 4 players.
How long does a game take?
A game of Trouble usually takes about 45 minutes.
Is it a difficult game to learn?
Not at all! The rules are very simple, perfect for children and for those new to gaming.
What is the Pop-O-Matic?
It's that special die built into a plastic bubble that you press to roll. It's Trouble's trademark!
What is the main objective of the game?
The goal is to be the first player to get all 4 of your pawns to the Finish area.
What happens if I land on another player's space?
If you land exactly on the space occupied by an opponent's pawn, their pawn is sent back to the start (Home).
Are there any rules to make the game more challenging?
Yes, an optional rule suggests that bumped pawns only return to their starting space, and only when they leave that space are they sent back to Home.

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