Released in 1980 by Milton Bradley, Tri-Trac is a strategy game that pits two opponents against each other in a race to be first to establish a path between two points.
GAMEPLAY
The brown plastic triangular tiles were distributed between each of the two players. The tiles included an orange or yellow stripe, representing a path. The lone tile marked with a white path was a neutral piece that could be used by either player throughout the game.
Gameplay started with the first player placing the neutral tile into one of the six spaces at the centre of the board. The second player then placed one of their tiles anywhere on the board. These initial moves were followed by a series of plays that allowed each opponent a number of options: add one of their tiles to the board, rotate one of their previously played tiles within its existing spot, or move the neutral triangle. Players could not manipulate their opponent’s triangles.
Players had to think strategically throughout the game as they worked to make a path between two of the three arrows on the board while also keeping an eye on their opponent’s moves and opportunities. A player could choose to temporarily forgo their own progress if they saw a chance to block an advantageous move of their opponent.
The winner of the game was the first player to establish a path between two arrows. A draw could be called when all the tiles had been placed and players were out of fresh moves to progress.
IN THE BOX
A complete game included one round plastic gameboard in white with a brown moulded centre component and 15 brown triangular tiles with an orange, yellow, or white path. Game instructions were printed inside the box top.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
Tri-Trac is commonly found in online marketplaces such as eBay. While the plastic components did degrade and become fragile over time, it’s fairly easy to find a complete game or assemble one from multiple games.
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