eBay Electronic Talking Auction Game

Reviewer Reviewed On Publisher Designer Published In Rating
June 1, 2003 Hasbro Not credited 2001 8
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I have to admit I have a fascination with eBay. Why? Because until boardgamegeek started up their game for sale section, it was the best place to buy board games. It still is a fantastic place to get a good deal – or get ripped off. So, when you combine my love for bidding on things with my love for a good board game –eBay the Electronic Talking Game seemed like a sure thing.

But wait, what about the fact that this game has two things going against it. One, it has a theme based on something well known – that’s usually a game-killer. Two, it is widely distributed throughout popular toy stores in America. Those stores rarely carry anything worth playing.

So is the game worth playing? The short answer is that if you need a good, fun, quick game to play as a filler – then get this game! Now for the longer answer…

First, a short description of game play. As the name implies, this is an electronic game, and thus requires 3 AAA batteries. The electronic main piece is placed in the center of the board, with 3 double trays surrounding it. Each tray faces a button, numbered 1-3. In the middle is another button marked “Ebay”, and a smaller button used to turn the game on. The middle button is toggled to decide how many players play – 3 or 4. Then a stack of item cards is shuffled and split into 3 stacks. Each of these stacks is placed in one of the three trays. The cards are placed “estimated value” side up. There are 3 of each card with an estimated value, but on the flip side, their actual values may value. For example, the Decorated Vase has an estimated value of $400, but the three cards have different actual values: $200, $400, and $800. Each card is in a different category (for example: the Decorated Vase is in the Pottery and Glass category). Each category is color coded for easy discernment. Each player takes a stack of “Bid” cards in their color (red, yellow, blue or green) with the following values: $10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $125, $150, $175, $200, $250, $300, and “Proxy”.

The game then starts. The electronic announcer states a color. The player of that color must quickly play one of their bid cards in one of the three trays facing an item they wish to purchase. They then press the numbered button that corresponds with that tray. If they don’t move quickly enough, a buzzer will sound and they cannot bid that turn. The game then announces another color, and game play continues. Players can only bid higher than the previous bid in the tray. A “Proxy” bid is an automatic high bid, and can only be beat by another “proxy” bid. At random intervals, the announcer will announce that an auction has ended. When this happens, the current high bidder (which the computer will state) wins the auction and takes the top card on the stack. They sneak a look at the actual value of the item, and then play continues. The highest bid in the tray (of the winning player) is lost for the entire game, and all other bids are returned. If a player wins an auction for a “Gift” card, they can immediately steal a card from another player. The game announces when the game is half over, and when the last round occurs. After the last round occurs, the cards are scored.

All the cards are turned over. Each player receives points equal to the actual value of the items they have. If a player has three or more of the same category of card, they score double points for every card in that set. Certain cards (Display cases) act as “Wild cards” and can be added to any category. Whoever has the highest points wins!

Some comments about the game:

1). Time: I can’t emphasize how wonderful this is. When I play a game of eBay, I know that it will end fairly quickly. No chance for analysis paralysis here! If you don’t move quickly on your turn, you will lose it. However, it’s not so fast that slightly slower players can’t handle it.

2). Electronics: I’m not a huge fan of electronic games, such as Talking Battleship, but this one actually works out well. The electronic voice is fairly loud, and you can easily understand it. Occasionally, if someone is yelling in agony over a missed bid, we miss the next color stated – which is annoying, but it’s the yelling person’s fault, not the game. The voice also isn’t very annoying, and you concentrate so much on the game, that it doesn’t matter anyway.

3). Components: The cards take a lot of wear, but seem to hold up okay. Throwing the cards down might bend them a little – but with some care, they should be okay. I do not like the box at all! It’s one that opens on one end and you dump all the pieces out. I’d rather have one with a lid any day. I have to tape up the rest of the box so nothing falls out. The artwork on the cards is fine – some nice photographs, but the colors are very nice, and easily distinguishable.

4). Humor: The text on the cards is not important to the game – only the prices. If you read it, however, much of it is pretty funny.

5). Rules: The rules are well written, and are 4 pages long. I think that they could be shorter, but they are concise, and very clear.

6). Strategy vs. Light: With the random ending of auctions, and the randomness of the item cards, there is no sure way to win each game. However, using cards strategically can give you a much better chance of winning. Should you try to make a set of three, to get the double points? Should you try to win a color so that another player doesn’t get his set? Should you go for the gift so you can steal a card from another player? Should you go for the higher priced items? There are a lot of choices, and although they are light and quick choices, it makes the game fun. Which lead us to the…

7). Fun Factor: This game is loads of fun! With it’s short downtime, and its quick rounds, a player is never board. But it is not your typical “roll and move” game, and is very easy to teach to newcomers to the gaming hobby.

So, since this game is currently quite inexpensive and easy to find, I recommend it. It’s one of the best filler games I own. Along with its universal appeal (everyone likes eBay) and it’s easiness to play, this game should be on most people’s shelf. I wish the box was better, but I cannot judge a game by it’s box. So get this game, and have fun buying good stuff, and junk!

Tom Vasel
"Real men play board games"