Ice Cube from Milton Bradley (1972)

Company: Milton Bradley | Release date: 1972 | Ages: 5-10 | # of players: 2-4 | Where to purchase: eBay

Designed by Marvin Glass and manufactured by Milton Bradley, the Ice Cube board game combines water, ice, and salt for messy trips around the board until the last pawn is left standing.

The Ice Cube game box contains the plastic playing board with spinner, an ice-cube tray, plastic feet and hats (red, yellow, blue, and green), plastic buckets for water and salt, a metal washer, and printed instructions. The game requires a bit of preparation, as the bodies of the frozen pawns need to be made a couple of hours in advance of game time.

Once the water is frozen, players create their pawns by popping the ice cubes out of the tray and adding feet and hats. Players then take turns flicking the spinner at the centre of the game board in hopes of being the first to land on a white star and start the game. The object of the game is to be the last player whose ice cube melts.

Events around the board quicken the melting process, including hot head (a heated metal washer placed atop the pawn), a warm bath, a warm shower, and a stop at the salt mine. A reprieve from melting action is possible by spinning the deep-freeze activity. The player with the last ice cube to melt wins the game. Play takes about ten minutes and moves quickly.

Finding copies of the Ice Cube board game can be challenging, as the water and salt took their toll. For this reason, Ice Cube is a Holy Grail for board game collectors and prices reflect its rarity.

The box states that Ice Cube is for two to four players, ages five to ten, but fun-loving adults may also find enjoyment with this vintage game.

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