Touché (1977)

About this game

Each player has 6 pieces lined up on his side of a 5×5 grid, either the rectangular or the rounded pieces. Pieces are transparent, and inside them are magnetized metal disks, one side red, the other white. In this distant variation on Tic-Tac-Toe, your ultimate goal is to arrange that 4 disks of your color are in a row, regardless of the shapes of the pieces. Under the board are magnetic strips of unknown polarity. As you place a piece into a new space, it might stay as it is, but it could also happen that the disk flipped and the piece joined your opponent's side. Options during a turn are either to enter a piece, move a piece, or jump a piece. Later published as Magic 4 by Discovery Toys and in Germany under the original title by Parker, where it was nominated for Spiel des Jahres of 1979.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 1.6/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.