“A balancing game of skill and chance…any number can play.”
Released in 1960 from Revell, The Game of Yertle used the turtle character created by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) as the central figure in a simple balancing game designed for young players.
GAMEPLAY
The plastic tumbler provided the game’s action. It consisted of a base with a pole and a three-disk component that balanced on top. The upper component included a small recess on its underside to keep the component it positioned place at the top of the post. The disks were labelled A, B, or C.
The spinner featured six segments: A, B, C, and three Choice segments. Players took turns spinning and placing a Yertle on the corresponding disk. A Yertle could sit on top of a disk or hang from the disk by its tail or legs.
The objective of the game was twofold: first, to load all 21 Yertles onto the tumbler and second, to remove all 21 Yertles without upsetting the balance and spilling the turtles.
A player whose move during the loading phase caused all Yertles to fall was eliminated from the game, and the remaining players continued. During the unloading phase, if a player spilt the Yertles, that player automatically lost and the opponent(s) claimed the crown.
Two alternate modes of play were also provided:
Scoreboard Yertle: Players earned points for successfully loading or offloading Yertles. The first player to reach 100 won.
Leap Yertle: Instead of offloading the Yertles, players continued to spin and move them from disk to disk. If a player who knocked some–but not all–of the Yertles from the tumbler lost a turn. If a player caused all the Yertles to fall, they lost the game.
IN THE BOX
A complete game included 21 Yertle turtles (seven each in blue, yellow, and red), a plastic tumbler, and a spinner. Instructions were printed inside the box top.
ABOUT REVELL
Revell was founded in California as Precision Specialities in 1943. The company was created to supply moulded plastic mechanical components to original equipment manufacturers. The company launched a toy and game line under the Revell brand, producing items such as Dr. Seuss Zoo (1959), Revell Rebel “400” Banked Raceway (1967), Snap-Together Model Kits (1975), and, more recently, the James Bond Vehicle Kits (2024).
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