Rock Paper Scissors Board Game Review
Rock Paper Scissors, designed by John Nally and published by Ideal in 1967, took the classic hand game and turned it into a tabletop experience with plastic selectors, cards, and individual game boards. Listed on BoardGameGeek as a 1968 release, the game is aimed at ages 5 and up, supports 2 to 4 players, and carries a complexity rating of 1.00 out of 5. It’s about as simple as board games get, and that’s the entire point.
Rock Paper Scissors Overview
The goal is straightforward: fill every square on your personal game board with Rock, Paper, and Scissors cards, then claim a Win card before your opponents do. Players use plastic lever selectors to “throw” their choice each round, mirroring the hand signals from the playground version of the game.
The theme is purely the hand game itself, dressed up with colourful boards and card-based scoring. There’s no story, no fantasy element, and no pretense about what this is. It’s Rock Paper Scissors with more steps.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Designer | John Nally |
| Publisher | Ideal |
| Year Released | 1967 |
| Players | 2–4 |
| Age Range | 5+ |
| Playing Time | 10–15 minutes (estimated) |
| Game Type | Children’s Game |
| Complexity Rating | 1.00 / 5 |
| Alternate Name | Roshambo |
What’s in the Rock Paper Scissors Box?
A complete copy contains four individual game boards, three plastic selectors (the lever mechanisms used to “throw” your choice), 20 Rock cards, 16 Paper cards, 20 Scissors cards, and 4 Win cards. The instructions were printed directly inside the box cover rather than on a separate sheet.
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Individual Game Boards | 4 |
| Plastic Selectors (Levers) | 3 |
| Rock Cards | 20 |
| Paper Cards | 16 |
| Scissors Cards | 20 |
| Win Cards | 4 |
As a 1960s product, the components are typical of the era: lightweight cardboard boards and thin printed cards. The plastic selectors are the standout piece, giving the game a tactile, toy-like feel that sets it apart from simply throwing hand gestures.
Rock Paper Scissors Pros and Cons
- Easy enough for very young children to grasp immediately
- Plastic selectors add a physical, toy-like appeal
- Games finish quickly, keeping short attention spans satisfied
- Supports up to four players, unusual for this type of game
- Good entry point for children new to board games for kids
- Almost entirely luck-based with zero strategic depth
- Replay value drops off fast once the novelty of the selectors fades
- The three-and four-player rules feel awkward, with one player sitting out rounds
- Only three selectors are included for a four-player game
- Vintage copies often have missing or damaged cards
How to Play Rock Paper Scissors
Setup
Each player takes a game board. Shuffle all the Rock, Paper, and Scissors cards together and spread them face down in the centre of the table. Set the Win cards aside. Each active player takes a plastic selector.
Playing a Round
A round consists of three flips of the selector levers. On each flip, all active players push their selectors simultaneously. The standard hierarchy applies: Scissors cuts Paper, Paper covers Rock, Rock breaks Scissors.
The winner of each flip picks up a card from the face-down pool and places it on their board. Duplicate cards that a player doesn’t need go into a discard pile.
Ties and Multi-Player Rules
When two players tie, they can either concede or keep flipping until someone wins. With three players, a three-way tie requires a redo. In four-player games, one person sits out each round since only three selectors are included.
Winning the Game
The first player to fill every space on their board with the required Rock, Paper, and Scissors cards, then claim a Win card, takes the game.
Where to Buy Rock Paper Scissors
This is a discontinued vintage game, so you won’t find it at regular retail stores. Your best options are secondhand marketplaces. When buying, check that all boards, selectors, and cards are included, as incomplete copies are common.
| Platform | Notes |
|---|---|
| eBay | Most common source for vintage copies. Prices typically range from $10–$30 depending on condition and completeness. |
| Etsy | Occasional listings from vintage toy sellers. |
| Local Thrift Stores | Can sometimes be found at garage sales and secondhand shops for a few dollars. |
| BoardGameGeek Marketplace | Check the BGG marketplace for collector-to-collector sales. |
Rock Paper Scissors Game Mechanics
The game uses three mechanics listed on BoardGameGeek: Rock-Paper-Scissors (the non-transitive hierarchy where each option beats one and loses to another), Simultaneous Action Selection (all players reveal their choice at the same time), and Set Collection (gathering the right combination of cards to fill your board).
The simultaneous reveal through the plastic selectors is the game’s main hook. Instead of throwing hand signs, you flip a lever. It’s functionally identical but gives kids something to fidget with and builds a small moment of suspense before each reveal.
There are no decisions to make about which card to pick up since you just grab from the face-down pool. The only “choice” is which of the three symbols to throw, and since there’s no way to predict your opponent’s selection, every round is a coin flip with three sides. For a vintage board game aimed at young children, that’s fine. For anyone older, it wears thin after a handful of rounds.
Who Should Play Rock Paper Scissors?
This game works best for children ages 4 to 7 who are just starting to learn how board games work. The rules require no reading, no math, and no strategy, making it accessible to the youngest players. It’s a decent tool for teaching turn-taking and basic game structure.
Collectors of vintage Ideal games will also find it interesting as a curiosity piece. The plastic selectors are charming relics of 1960s toy design, and a complete copy in good condition has some shelf appeal.
Skip this one if you want any kind of strategic depth, meaningful player interaction, or replay value. Modern children’s games like Outfoxed, Rhino Hero, or Sushi Go offer far more engagement for the same age range. If you’re after cooperative family board games where everyone works together, this isn’t the right fit either.
FAQ
Is Rock Paper Scissors good for beginners?
Yes, it’s one of the simplest board games ever made. Children as young as four can pick it up with no help. There’s no reading required and the rules take about one minute to explain. It works well as a first board game experience.
How long does Rock Paper Scissors take to play?
A single game finishes in roughly 10 to 15 minutes, sometimes faster. The short play time suits young children who tend to lose interest during longer games. You can easily fit several rounds into a single sitting.
What’s the best player count for Rock Paper Scissors?
Two players is the cleanest experience. The three- and four-player variants add awkward tie-breaking rules and require one player to sit out rounds. The game was clearly built around the two-player format of the original hand game.
Is Rock Paper Scissors worth buying?
For collectors of vintage Ideal games, a complete copy is a fun shelf piece. As a game to actually play regularly, there are better options for young children available today. It’s a novelty more than a lasting game.
What games are similar to Rock Paper Scissors?
The JAX Rock Paper Scissors Card Game is a modern card-based version. For young children wanting simple competitive games, Spot It, UNO Junior, and Candy Land offer similar accessibility with more variety in gameplay. The Pressman version is another tabletop take on the same concept.
