Magnetic Mayhem: A Review of Klask

Some games blur the line between a tabletop dexterity game and a sport – Foosball and Air Hockey are both good examples, but they require expensive equipment and a lot of space. Klask, on the other hand, is a new game that delivers a similar experience, although much smaller and much easier on the wallet.

Gameplay

In Klask, each player controls a playing piece on top of the board using a magnetic handle on the bottom of the board. Players use their piece to hit a marble around the board, trying to land it in their opponent’s goal. There are also white magnets on the board, which players must try to avoid.

Points are scored in the following ways:

• You score a point if the puck (marble) falls into your opponent’s goal
• Your opponent scores a point if your playing piece falls into your goal (KLASK!)
• Your opponent scores a point if two white magnets attach to your piece

The first player to reach six points wins.

Review

There is something universally satisfying about a dexterity game that can be almost instantly taught. Combining the freeform movement of Air Hockey with the rolling ball of Foosball, Klask succeeds admirably at drawing people in quickly and keeping their attention for quite some time.

Yet with its familiar elements, it also offers a unique experience in a small and affordable package. With the goal being a hole in the board rather than a “slit” in the wall, different gameplay strategies need to be employed. In Air Hockey (or for beginner Foosball players) hitting the puck/ball with as much force and speed as possible can be a good idea. However, in Klask, using too much force may cause the ball to speed right past the goal. This makes the game surprisingly challenging, since a slow ball gives your opponent more time to block a shot.

Additional scoring methods also help keep the game interesting. First off, letting your piece fall into the goal is an automatic point for your opponent – so be careful not to guard it too closely. But the addition of small, white magnets (affectionately called “marshmallows” by our group) bring the added challenge of dodging and/or directing these elements toward your opponent. Because of these magnets, many of our game sessions surprisingly became more similar to Dodgeball than either Hockey or Soccer.

The components are decently made, especially considering the $60 price point. The board/table itself is made of wood, and the pieces contain extra strong magnets for easy control. On the downside, the player pieces themselves are a bit small and the top of the board is coated with a bumpy material that causes the pieces to “jump” around some rather than glide smoothly along the surface. There are similar options on the market, such as WeyKick, but the cost is at least double that of Klask.

If you’re looking for a great game/activity for the family this holiday season, we recommend that you take a look at Klask.

Pros: Fun & unique gameplay, decent quality components, relatively low price point

Cons: Small player pieces, bumpy surface