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Description
A clever repackaging of the parlor game Dictionary, Balderdash contains several cards with real words nobody has heard of. After one of those words has been read aloud, players try to come up with definitions that at least sound plausible, because points are later awarded for every opposing player who guessed that your definition was the correct one.
Versions of the game as a parlor game go back at least as far as 1970, although Balderdash itself was not published until 1984.
Mattel, Inc. republished Balderdash in 2006 in a form that derives its gameplay from the sequel Beyond Balderdash.
Re-implemented by:
Beyond Balderdash / Absolute Balderdash
Kokkelimonke Jubileum
Re-implements:
Beyond Balderdash*
In a peculiar situation, this game was reimplemented by Beyond/Absolute Balderdash and then combined back into the original title (Balderdash) but with the rules and cards from Beyond/Absolute; while Tactic re-published their version of Beyond/Absolute combined with the original Balderdash and called it Kokkelimonke Jubileum.
Year Published
1984
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 3
This page: 3
Sentiment:
pos 3 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–3 of 3
Video Q-4Y_8fbWaU
Phenomenon general_discussion at 2:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12337 · mention_pk 35968
Click to watch at 2:20
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fun, imaginative wordplay
- easy to teach and play in large groups
Cons
- subject to uneven participation
- word obscure-ness can slow pace
Thematic elements
- word-definition bluffing
- parlor/party room
- dictionary-based bluffing
Comparison games
- Cranium
- Pictionary
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- definition guessing and bluffing — players invent fake definitions for obscure words; correct real definitions yield points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Parlor games began life as parlour games specifically designed to entertain large groups of people in social situations
- the dna of party games has remained unchanged though it's just been codified with proper rule sets
- we're a tribal species and we're compelled to find moments where we all think like one
- the biggest selling party game of all time is about trying to communicate ideas visually and enjoying and reveling in the failure to do so
- it's a team game where you have to link words together using clues
- Dixit and Mysterium both of which are sort of like charades but using crazy abstract art to communicate
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 15Zq8GNA2Ow
Adam Porter general_discussion at 8:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11328 · mention_pk 33295
Click to watch at 8:11
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Well-curated content that yields funny outcomes
Cons
- Often becomes sillier with time and may not finish a full run
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Dictionary game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- caption-creation — Players craft fake definitions/answers to fit categories while others guess the real one.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the key thing is you've got to be adding some sort of value even if that's just making it a really attractive package or curating the content anyway
- I'd always reach for my copy of five cucumbers not for the original deck of playing cards
- In Times Up first round one player is describing a series of names to their teammate over in 30 seconds
- Balderdash does well is it curates that content really well it gives you these different categories so so you can get some really funny outcomes from a game of balderdash
- Tellistrations is based on a pen and paper game called eat poop you cat
- Rock Paper Wizard is packaged version of rock paper scissors
- it's a two-player game where two people are playing multiple poker hands but they're spread across a series sort of locations in a row across the table
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CWohJ9kY0zo
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 2:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8621 · mention_pk 25391
Click to watch at 2:59
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- creative, hilarious
- great for family-friendly fun
Cons
- depends on players' imagination; some rounds can feel flat
Thematic elements
- inventing fake definitions
- parlor game
- humorous, deception
Comparison games
- Monikers
- Famous Last Lines
- Wise or Otherwise
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- fake answer creation — players write fake definitions for obscure words; others guess the real one
- social deception — points awarded for fooling others and for guessing the real answer
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the answer to every question is a color
- it's basically a game of listing things
- you have to come up with a fake definition for an obscure word cockalorum
- the cards are way more interesting than a hat full of TV chefs
- it's great fun trying to convince them that you can be trusted whether you're good or bad
- write fake acronyms and laws
- the original Christmas party game is the Hat game or Celebrity where you all write famous names on strips of paper
- Kokoro isn't just a great sofa game it's a great game every card flip brings elation or frustration
- it's like reading from a Sherlock Holmes novel as you meet with witnesses
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–3 of 3