Published by Lakeside in 1968, Three Blind Mice was a children’s action game in which players attempted to pull their mice to safety before they were trapped beneath a wedge-shaped “cheese” catcher.
GAMEPLAY
The game was designed for two to four players. At the beginning of play, each participant received nine chips. Players selected a mouse and positioned it on the playing base while holding onto its tail. The first player to roll a green spot became the “Catcher” and used the wedge-shaped cheese box top as a shaker for the colour cube.
When a blue or green spot appeared, players attempted to pull their mice off the playing surface before the Catcher trapped them beneath the cheese wedge. If a mouse was caught, its owner paid the Catcher one chip. If all mice escaped, the Catcher role passed to the player on the left.
When a black or white spot appeared, players were required to leave their mice on the base. Pulling a mouse away at the wrong time resulted in a penalty chip paid to the Catcher. If the Catcher mistakenly touched the base with the cheese wedge during a black or white roll, the Catcher paid one chip to each remaining mouse and passed the cheese wedge to the next player.
Play continued until one player collected 18 chips and won the game.
IN THE BOX
A complete game included three mice, one colour cube, 32 chips, and the wedge-shaped cheese box top used during gameplay. Printed instructions were included with the game, and the components were stored inside the game itself.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
Three Blind Mice can be found on the secondary market in varying condition. Collectors should look for copies with minimal wear to the wedge-shaped cheese box top and all original gameplay pieces
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