This Parker Bros. game is a real gem. Copyrighted in 1987, this game had everything going for it. The concept went as follows: 2-4 players (ages 5 and up) each select a red "THWACKER" with a suction cup fused "hand." 27 cards picturing unique monsters are spread out on the table. One player presses the button atop the Monster-Maker Machine, then the three panels spin and stop to reveal a monster. The players search for the card matching the revealed monster and use their THWACKERS to claim the card.
So that was the boring description I wrote. Here's Parker Bros.' version from the included directions sheet: "Imagine that you're a hunter in the deep, dark jungle. But it's not just any jungle. This one is filled with big, blobby monsters that run wilde. Shhh! They're hiding everywhere. But not for long. Press the button on the Monster-Maker Machine and...aha...one appears in a flash! That's the one you've got to mash with your THWACKER hand. Can you do it before the other hunters do? If you think you can, then it's time you started off on this slap-happy adventure called MONSTER MASH. Happy hunting!"
My sister and I recently played this game over a bottle of wine and let me tell you, it is still hours of entertainment. The suction cups work fairly well on their own (even after 23 years), but I distinctly recall giving them a lick before playing back in the 80s. I guess we figured that gave you that extra edge. Amazingly, not only have we retained the instructions after all these years, but we also have all 27 cards. And no, I didn't learn that we had all the cards by counting them. My sister and I played until every monster appeared on the Monster-Maker and never once did the spread of monster cards leave us empty handed. Things could get a little violent in this game. As soon as one player "mashed" a card, regardless of whether it was correct or not, every other player felt the need to slap the same card in the hopes of releasing the suction.
The instructions say that a player wins once he has collected 5 cards. Our hours of entertainment come from a varied version of the rules. We decided that there would be no winner until one person had collected ALL the cards. Also, if a monster came up and someone had already captured it, you could steal it by mashing the card in from of him.
For your viewing enjoyment, here is a few video of the game in action:
I remember you and Caitlin playing this game. Most times you ended up hitting each other with the the suction cup hands.
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