Alley-Up from Hasbro (1971)

By: Todd Coopee
Filed to:
Company: Hasbro | Release date: 1971 | Ages: 8+ | # of players: 2 or more | Where to purchase: eBay

“It’s a challenge!”

Released by Hasbro in 1971, Alley-Up was a dexterity game that challenged players to guide a steel marble uphill through a zigzag maze by rocking the playing surface from side to side. Designed by Marvin Glass & Associates, the game required coordination and patience as players tried to overcome gravity and reach the top of the maze.

Designed for ages eight and up, Alley-Up accommodated two or more players. The plastic game board featured a raised zigzag track and an adjustable support leg that could be positioned to change the incline. Eight difficulty settings, ranging from 100 to 800 points, allowed players to increase the challenge by making the climb progressively steeper.

GAMEPLAY

At the beginning of each turn, players inserted the support leg into one of the numbered positions beneath the board and placed the steel marble in the lower right-hand corner of the maze.

Using their fingers to rock the board from side to side, players attempted to guide the marble uphill through the zigzag path. If the marble began rolling backward, they had to reverse its direction before it reached the bottom groove. If the marble returned to the bottom, the turn ended.

Successfully guiding the marble to the top earned the player the point value corresponding to the selected incline. Players agreed on the number of rounds before starting, and the player with the highest cumulative score won.

IN THE BOX

A complete game included the plastic game board, adjustable support leg, and steel marble. Depending on the edition, instructions were either included as a separate sheet or printed on the back of the box.

COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS

Alley-Up can be found on the secondary market in varying condition. Collectors should look for examples with the original steel marble and adjustable support leg, as both were essential to gameplay. The plastic board should also be examined for cracks, warping, or other damage to the zigzag track that could interfere with the marble’s movement.

Note: If you buy something using the eBay link in this story, we may earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting independent toy journalism!