Field of 64 Pricing Games 2.0 - Carey Regional, Round 1, Week 2

[thepriceis_J]

Okay. Let's do this.

3 Strikes: 10 - Most Expensive: 1

I was tempted not to make this a one-sided affair here, but I just had to. 3 Strikes, in my opinion, is the best game on the show. It offers the greatest amount of suspense when the conditions (typically) line up correctly. I know; this is a game where you could do everything right and still lose, but I've honestly never had a problem with games like that because while pricing is the main goal of The Price is Right, luck has been built into it since day one. No one in the audience knows they're going to be called down. The folks that were called down and then made it on stage had no idea what they were going to play for and that was very important in the half hour era when your total winnings determined who made it to the showcase. It was luck that one person might play for the $3,000 car and another for a $500 Washer and Dryer. And luck continued to be built into the show when the big wheel was added after the show went to an hour. While pricing is the main crux of this show, luck has certainly been an element since Day 1. And it's for that reason that I won't ding this game, or any other like it, based on that.

As for Most Expensive, it just has the unfortunate instance of going up against such a powerhouse of a game. Nothing's wrong with Most Expensive. It's so simple, and like Double Prices, it's rather quintessential when it comes down to pricing. I'll also agree with Scott in that I did not like any set Most Expensive had until its current one.

I'll let you infer which way I'm going.

Let 'Em Roll: 4 - Bonkers: 7

Let 'Em Roll is a more fun way to play Dice Game, but it isn't really that much more fun than Dice Game. It's a fine concept to be sure, but it doesn't shout at me. I'll admit that unlike Dice Game is does have a flare of excitement each time the dice are rolled and we wait for the movement to stop to see the end result.

Bonkers is just fun. It's fast and it makes you think. It also requires a bit of strategy and all in 30 seconds. I don't know. It's something about the hectic nature of the game that makes me enjoy it every time is shows up. It really was the most hectic timed games in the rotation until Time is Money came back.

Bonkers, in the closest matchup in my votes.

Temptation: 8 - Balance Game: 3

Temptation is just a great concept. I see it as a response to Let's Make A Deal. "We'll mix pricing AND a decision to bail or continue!" A highly enjoyable game.

I liked Balance Game '84. A great concept that made you think. That said, the current Balance Game '06 is an even better, much more simple premise.

Both games offer a great deal of suspense, but there is much more to work with in Temptation. It gets my vote.

Spelling Bee: 8 - Money Game: 3

I can't always be super loquacious when I give my reasoning for these votes. Spelling Bee is so much fun and I don't know why. It really isn't that much, but it's got a lot of window dressing and it's fun that it has two ways to win. Keeps you guessing as to what can happen and a wipeout doesn't turn the thing into a pointless affair.

Money Game. Another classic that gets the unfortunate turn of going up against a game that's so much fun. I'll say though that for a game as simple as this, the tricks the show has built into this game (El Cheapo, Front N' Back, Top N' Bottom, Season Number) have made it fun. Take that and couple with it my love for Drew's "Nineteen" joke and it's a game I don't mind seeing whenever it shows up.

Spelling Bee takes it.

[SuperBall85]

You need to make it more clear which way you're voting...you just have scores there.

I can infer from your commentary that you're voting in favor of Strikes/Roll/Temptation/Bee, please confirm that's correct.

Yup! For clarity's sake:

3 Strikes 10
Most Expensive 1

Let 'Em Roll 7
Bonkers 4

Temptation 7
Balance Game 4

Spelling Bee 8
Money Game 3

[Cephas]

Most Expensive is a classic game that's easy to understand and offers three nice prizes. But it just can't stand up to the giant of 3 Strikes. It has a big set, big excitement, and big suspense for a big prize.
3 Strikes: 9, Most Expensive: 2

Let 'em Roll has way too much emphasis on rolling dice and not enough on pricing, and I don't like the concept of winning free money by pricing poorly. I enjoy Bonkers, because of its hectic gameplay and how contestants can do under pressure.
Let 'em Roll: 2, Bonkers: 9

Temptation offers some nice gifts in addition to a car, and the rare wins are exciting. However, the excitement goes away in the case of bailouts. The current Balance Game is pretty much a quickie with three possible choices, but the see-saw mechanic is cool.
Temptation: 6, Balance Game: 5

Spelling Bee has an awesome set, a good concept, and a lot of drama in both the cards and the bailout decision. Money Game has its hidden tricks and is more about pricing, but it's just not as fun as Bee.
Spelling Bee: 8, Money Game: 3

[Punchboard91]

Three Strikes can be the most exciting game on the show - but like all games, the excitement can also not be there if all three strikes happen in the first few draws. Most Expensive is a necessary game to get games like Three Strikes played. The concept is simple, and rewards based on pure pricing. That being said, I would rather see Strikes than ME so Strikes wins 7-4.

Roll is a LMAD game, plain and simple. The GP portion has to be easy so all 3 rolls can be achieved, which makes it less of a pricing game than, say Bonkers. Speaking of Bonkers, assuming you know the first digit, you pretty much are guaranteed a win as long as you don't stare at the audience for 27.5 seconds. It rewards those who are quick, as well as know to generally go with the odds. I'm giving my vote to Bonkers 7-4.

Oh good. Two games I don't care for. At least we'll get rid of one of them this time around. Temptation just screams "insta-loss" when it shows up, and really, no game should do that. Strikes and Road are an ok exception because they are played for luxury cars. Maybe Temptation should do that? But then, the gifts would have to be super expensive to try and tempt the contestant, and at that point, most would probably just bail out. I'm not sure why I don't like Balance, it's just another "pick which of the three prices is correct" game, and this one you just need to know the first digit and not an obscure fourth digit. So that being said, I'll give Balance 8-3.

Bee is one of my favorite games on the show. That being said, it relies on luck, which does not always make a good pricing game. Money Game is your classic game based on the pricing on merchandise, and has a wonderful award for smart shoppers. There is, however, a bit of knowing the show producers in order to increase your chances. Number lower than the season number but not a first two numbers option? That's your back of car. Front half of the car in the left or middle column? Try the option next to it for the front/back half trick. I do like both games, but I like Bee more, and I'm giving it to Bee 8-3.

[OneBidTris]

Alright, time to submit my votes. Going in order:

3 Strikes vs. Most Expensive

3 Strikes is a #1 seed for a reason. It's a great rare game that definitely gets that excitement and suspense factor. I do think that making it 3X instead of 1 has helped the game gain more tension and it makes sense seeing how it always get played for nicer cars. But I still think that Most Expensive is better than a 16 seed. Sure it's a quickie, but it's a classic and the gameplay is solid for a one choicer. 3 Strikes runs away with this match, but Most Expensive gets some points.

3 Strikes: 9
Most Expensive: 2

Let em' Roll vs. Bonkers

A tougher matchup, but I still think the higher seed is better. Let em' Roll's set is really great and feels like the casino game it is. Rolling dice is fun and it's got that nice glitz. I like that it feels like the casino and the higher money amounts are nice (the cars is more a show problem). Bonkers is pretty good as well. Drew got the gist of it pretty early and he does a good job explaining the game. Physical games are fun and even when the contestants are looking at the audience, there's that occasional surprise win. Let em' Roll just feels like a better game and it gets my vote.

Let em' Roll: 7
Bonkers: 4

Temptation vs. Balance Game

I feel like I'm going to be one of the only people who likes Balance Game on this board. I like the moving scale and I do think the set does help bring up what is essentially Triple Prices. But it's hard to beat the temptation of Temptation. I think the picking digits from the prizes is a great idea and the temptations are usually a nice sum (even if there's always cash). Sure the birthday shtick is tired, but it wasn't like Bob's routines were always great either. As much as I don't want to do it, Temptation gets the edge.

Temptation: 7
Balance Game: 4

Spelling Bee vs. Money Game

Money Game doesn't have much going for it.  It's not a particularly interesting car game and the money for the wrong picks is about all the game has going for it. Sure you're picking cards in Spelling Bee as well, but there's at least some meat to the game. The SP portion is pretty good and the exacta bonus is unique and it does reward good pricing. The luck factor is also great and it's just great to see a CAR card come out. No contest, Spelling Bee.

Spelling Bee: 9
Money Game: 2

[therealcu2010]

Tris, two minutes later and you'd be late. Get them in quicker next time.

Anyways, time's up...let's result.

#1 Three Strikes v. #16 Most Expensive
First up, the overall 1 against the overall 64. One person voted for Most Expensive by a landslide. Everyone else went the other way. As expected, despite said one person's best efforts, this one wasn't close...it was just slightly less not close.

Most Expensive goes down looking, as Three Strikes retires the side in order, taking the win 209-55.

#8 Let 'em Roll v. #9 Bonkers
This one went back and forth for a bit, at one point being completely tied...but then a late string of votes went to one game's favor. In the end, this turned out to be the closest finish between these four matches.

Upset alert! Bonkers drives Let 'em Roll crazy, edging out a 148-116 win.

#5 Temptation v. #12 Balance Game
Another fairly one-sided match, there was a clear winner here early. This is not to say there was no love for the loser, on the contrary...there were several fairly big scores in the other direction. However, they proved not to be enough to turn the match around.

Balance Game was too easily tempted, as Temptation tips the scales in its favor, 177-87.

#4 Spelling Bee v. #13 Money Game
A matchup of two classic car games, this one was fairly close as well. Quite a few 6-5 votes on this one, in both directions, and no 10-1 scores...the only match in this set to hold that distinction. Much like the 8/9 matchup, this one was pretty much determined late.

Money Game can only come up with an "A", while Spelling Bee takes the money and the prize, 165-99.


Four games have made their way into the Round of 32. Four more will join them in the bottom half of the Barker Regional, starting on Sunday. See you then!

[therealcu2010]

This week, we close out the Barker Regional, and send four more games into the Round of 32.

Starting off, the 6/10 matchup:


GROCERY GAME (2006: 3 seed, third round)
One of the original games, Grocery Game is still rewarding smart shoppers. In recent years, the grocery items have been themed, adding a bit more character to the game.


DANGER PRICE (2006: 8 seed, second round)
A game which shows you one price, four prizes, and has you pick the three that don't match the price. Will it live on to live another day behind Door #2, or will it experience the blue screen of death?
Next up, our 3/11 pairing:


MASTER KEY (2006: 9 seed, first round)
In this game, you can not only win a car, you can win two other prizes as well, if you can find the master key.


PICK-A-PAIR (2006: DNQ)
A quick grocery product game, Pick-a-Pair requires you to pick two grocery items of the same price to win. Originally a ferris wheel set, the set retains a carnival theme.
For your consideration, here's the 7/10 matchup:


SWITCHEROO (2006: 10 seed, quarterfinalist)
Switcheroo presents you with a car and four small prizes. The ideal way to win? Price the prizes, ignore the car until the end, despite what Drew Carey may or may not tell you.


TAKE TWO (2006: 15 seed, first round)
One of the four prize games, Take Two gives you two chances to win all the stuff. Similar to Pick-a-Pair in that you have to pick two things to win, but different in that you need to do math.
Finally, our first 2 seed gets some action in this tournament...


CHECK-OUT (2006: 15 seed, first round)
Probably the most difficult grocery product game to win (outside Pay the Rent, that is), Check-Out requires you to really know your prices.

Taking it on is the 15 seed:


SWAP MEET (2006: DNQ)
Almost as good as a real swap meet, but not quite, since you leave with absolutely nothing if you fail.

Commentary and votes will be taken until Friday, June 17 at 11:59pm EDT. I want to see even more of you participate this time!

[Alfonzo]

Ouch! This first match-up has two of my favorites going against each other! Love them both, but I'll have to give Grocery Game a veeeeeery slight edge because of it being one of the originals. Sorry Danger Price, you deserve better.

Grocery Game: 6, Danger Price: 5

Let's see...We have the cool set-up and gameplay of Master Key vs the rather dull Pick-a-Pair (seriously, the Ferris Wheel set made this game). No contest.

Master Key: 10, Pick-a-Pair: 1 mandatory point

Switcheroo is not one of my favorite small prize/car combos and I HATE the way that Drew tells the contestants the small prizes don't matter. Of course they do! You know the price of all four, boom you win the car. Still, I'll give it the edge over Take Two. Not a bad four-prize game, just doesn't have the ooomph to put it over Switcheroo (Race Game or Danger Price might have.)

Switcheroo: 7, Take Two: 4

I might have given this final match-up 11-0 if I was able. Check-Out is my absolute favorite grocery game because it's all about pure pricing. You know your prices YOU WILL WIN!!!. Swap Meet is easily my least favorite four-prize game. Dull, quick, ugly and it plays like a three-prize game that wants to be a four-prizes. The 90s called and they want their pricing game set back.

Check-Out: 10, Swap Meet: 1 point, kicking and screaming.

[brosa0]

Grocery Game 10;  Danger Price 1

Grocery Game has suffered in recent years from contestants applying a "Bullseye" all-or-nothing strategy, but it is still one of the most interesting games that rewards "smart shoppers".   Danger Price's set is in dire need of an overhaul.

Master Key 6;  Pick-A-Pair 5

Master Key wipeouts are one of the biggest letdowns of the show and yet occur too easily.   I kind of wish it could be occasionally used as a cash game, say for $10k, rather than just being pigeon-holed as a car game.  I like the presentation of Pick-A-Pair and always like games where they have to match two items of equal value.  Master Key gets the edge for having a more interesting buildup to a win/loss than what Pick-A-Pair usually has.

Switcheroo 4;  Take Two 7
There are many games I prefer over these two, but I've always preferred the puzzle aspect of Take Two and prefer seeing it appear on shows.

Swap Meet 10;  Check-Out 1
Had Check-Out been in any of the other match ups for this round it would probably have scored a 9 or 10 as it's one of the best grocery item games on the show... but I just love Swap Meet that much that I've got no hesitation in giving it the maximum points.   The set, the presentation of the game, the mechanic of matching two prizes of equal value... there is so much I like about this game that makes it the most interesting one-decision game on the show.   I know I'll be in the minority here. 

[Hag]

While Danger Price has a nice concept, I think the appeal in Grocery Game lies in the familiarity of pricing grocery items for a lot of people. Plus we have the iconic cash register and the fact it's one of the veteran games. I'll give Grocery the nod.

Grocery Game - 9
Danger Price - 2

I'm a big fan of props, so I like Master Key's keys and locks. Key's gameplay is simply more fun to watch than Pick A Pair, although I did like the old Ferris wheel design and carnival music on PAP when they had it.

Master Key - 10
Pick A Pair - 1

Switcheroo is a good game, but unfortunately Drew's hosting of it kind of taints it for me. But the concept still makes it interesting to watch. Take Two is OK, but I liked the old prop better.

Switcheroo - 7
Take Two - 4

Check Out, I think, falls into the same category as Grocery Game - being fun by having gameplay that incorporates something people do every day. I like guessing at the items and seeing how close my total was. I like the price matching aspect of Swap Meet, but Check Out gets my vote here.

Check-Out - 8
Swap Meet - 3

[GSNSmashFan3]

Grocery Game is an absolute classic: The supermarket-tinged concept, the way it rewards good pricers, the cash register... It's almost always a joy to watch. The playings where the contestant tries to reach $20-$21 as quickly as possible can be somewhat annoying, but the game hardly ever suffers from a lack of entertainment as a result of that. Danger Price is a good pricing game, and I actually think the set is very cool despite being three decades old. However, it's a merely good game that is up against one of the best games on the show...

Grocery Game - 8
Danger Price - 3

Master Key is one of the best car games on the show due to the fun keys and oversized padlocks giving it a more interactional feel for the contestant than most other pricing games, but the wipeouts are an absolute buzzkill because they take away this essential element. Pick a Pair is okay with its "pick the two groceries equal in price" premise and its unique price reveals, but it's really not exciting at all, and like the previous match-up, it just so happens to be up against one of the best games...

Master Key - 9
Pick a Pair - 2

Switcheroo is a good idea for a pricing game, but I've never found the set very appealing... Many of the classic pricing game sets still look spiffy regardless of whether they appear to be dated or not, but Switcheroo just looks downright old. However, the fun music coupled with the player placing the blocks partially makes up for the set's faults, to the extent that I'm willing to forgive Drew's really bad explanation of the rules every time it is played. Take Two has one of the best concepts for a four-prize game and one of the best price reveals, but it's missing something to give it that extra bit of excitement... If that one display was upgraded to support five digits, it wouldn't hurt to play it for four trips (dare I suggest four cars) every now and then to spice it up. I think the set is the deciding factor for me in this match-up...

Take Two - 6
Switcheroo - 5

Ooh... I'm not too crazy about either of these games. Check-Out is similar to Grocery Game with its supermarket-tinged concept, but it's a lot more centered on the "rewarding good pricers" aspect, and as a result, it's not that fun of a game, in my opinion. However, Swap Meet has the distinction of being one of those "This is still around?!" games. A pricing game based on the concept of a swap meet is a great idea, but the execution is just extremely dull and forgettable... I can't think of a single memorable playing of this game, ever (if a contestant somehow made it on stage with a "I want to play Swap Meet, Drew!" T-shirt, that would be the highlight of this game's history, bar none). Since I don't think Check-Out is that great, either, I'll give Swap Meet some pity points for its surprising longevity.

Check-Out - 7
Swap Meet - 4

[SuperSweeper]

Danger Price - 6; Grocery Game - 5

This is by far the toughest matchup for me so far.  I really, really like both games. 

I'm one of the few people that who actually prefers Danger Price's second staging, but the recent little touchups that they've made to the current set have made it look more modern and fresh - sorry, br0sa, but I disagree with your assessment.  I wish that they'd get rid of that damn siren, though. 

Gameplay-wise, Grocery Game is superior - it's definitely one of the toughest games on the show.  However, I don't really care for the persistent themes (sorry, Scott - it looks like I'll be apologizing a lot this thread!) and the winning range REALLY needs upped.  I'll take the living room for $28-$30, please, Alex.

Master Key - 8; Pick-a-Pair - 3

Master Key is another game that has been "ruined" over the past few years.  The ridiculous SP setups (really, it should be about as easy as the Barker-era Let 'em Roll) and the change from the bombastic reveal to the neutered buildup are things that I would throw out immediately if I were producer.   

Aside from that, Master Key has a lot going for it - a really cool set, a lot of prizes on offer, and a unique pricing setup all make for a great game.

Pick-a-Pair is a game that I'm neutral on.  I'm more of a Check-Out guy, myself.

Take Two - 8; Switcheroo - 3

When I was younger, I was always disappointed when Take Two showed up - we could've had Race Game instead!     Running trumped math - and I think most kids would agree.

I must have spent too much time around Torgo since then, because Take Two's share value has risen on the old SuperSweeper Stock Exchange.  I wouldn't call it the show's greatest game, but it is challenging and fun. 

If there is a game that needs a set change, though, this would probably be one of them.  I mean, they still have the old logo on it, for pete's sake!  I wish that they would just update the current prop - I love the clunk of the pull tabs - but I'm not holding my breath.

Switcheroo is one of the few games that I would not want to play on the show because of the level of difficulty.  I'm not sure if I'm more in favor of an upgrade or for retirement, but SOMETHING needs to change.  Forty years ago, there was some pricing aspect involved because even $10 was a big gap between prices - now it seems like it's "you have 30 seconds to randomly place five numbers".  There's something that can be salvaged, but I don't really care for the game as is.

Check-Out - 8; Swap Meet - 3

I really do like Check-Out!  I swear!

I started watching the show right after the removal of the calculator, so I'm not hung up on it.  I do love the pricing aspect and the slow buildup/reveal.  This is my favorite GPT GP game - Hi-Lo is not a GPT game, dammit.   

Swap Meet is OK.  Not a great game, not a terrible game.  I do like the unique staging, but it's not a huge draw for me.

[CheckGameMeBob]

1. Aw man... I love both of these games so much.  But, the edge must go to Grocery Game because it is an all time great with the pricing ideals of the game, the retro cash register, and the building suspense as the contestant gets closer and closer to the magic $20-21 as they try not to go over.  Danger Price gets a few points because it's really exciting to see if the contestant can navigate the pricing minefield as they try their darnedest to avoid the danger price.

Final Verdict: Grocery Game: 8, Danger Price: 3


2. Master Key sinks Pick a Pair to the bottom of the Marianas Trench with a torpedo barrage.  The life size keys and locks are wonderful, a car is one of the prizes and the other two are pretty good too, and the thrill of successfully picking the Master Key is no match for a boring quickie like Pick a Pair.

Final verdict: Master Key: 10, Pick a Pair: 1 

3. I really love Take Two as it's a tricky little puzzler for four prizes and the adding up of two prize prices for a total is unique.  I find Switcheroo to be a really frustrating game and it's not one of Drew's better games.

Final verdict: Take Two: 9, Switcheroo, 2

4. Check Out is one of the toughest games on the show, but it provides more intrigue than Swap Meet does.  I sure do miss the jumbo calculator in the game's early days and it is a true test of pricing skill in a similar way to Grocery Game.  The only good thing about Swap Meet is that it's for four prizes.

Final verdict: Check Out: 9, Swap Meet: 2

[JayC]

Grocery Game vs Danger Price: Grocery Game is just the classic GP game. It's gameplay is simple yet also a good challenge. The themes for the groceries have added a little bit of a fun element, although it would still be the same game without it obviously. I do think the target amounts should increase eventually and maybe the range as well someday to $2 or $1.50, but don't ditch the classic register! Danger Price has some intrigue, and the current set is certainly an improvement over its bland original, but the sirens and the sound effects added a few years ago are a little corny. The classic wins out here.. Grocery Game- 8 Danger Price- 3

Master Key vs Pick a Pair: Master Key has a fun premise, and one of the best looking sets. It's pretty random and doesn't rely much on pricing, but it's one of those games that is always nice to see played. Pick a Pair is a solid pricing game, but there's nothing all that interesting or exciting about it. The set is also pretty ugly, but the price reveal is pretty cool. Master Key- 9 Pick a Pair- 2

Take Two vs Switcheroo: Take Two is almost always tough. There's really no way to make it easy, really except if the winning pair is the most expensive prize and the least expensive. The set is better than it used to be, but nothing spectacular. Switcheroo can be a fun game, and it seems like a lot of times the number for the car is one of the lower ones. The set is nice and simple, although it's one of the games I never thought the Dom Casual font fit well on. Nothing against the game itself, but I can't stand Drew saying the SPs have no meaning and to ignore them. Switcheroo is just the better game here, despite how it's hosted. Switcheroo- 8 Take Two- 3

Check Out vs Swap Meet: Check Out is also a challenge, but winnable as long as the contestants make relatively good guesses. It also allows for some making up and dumb luck. The set is a little bit bland though. Swap Meet is a decent game, and usually pretty easy. I like the Swap Meet sign and the way the price tags flip, but the set screams early 90s and could use a bit of a modernization. Check Out gets the nod here. Check Out- 7 Swap Meet- 4

[PIR85]

Grocery Game/Danger Price
Although it's a good pricing game concept, I have to admit Danger Price just isn't the same without the Big Banana Remix.  Grocery Game is a fantastic pricing game.  I love GP games that offer more than one correct combination of winning.  The nostalgic cash register adds an immense amount of charm to this game, and it's funny when Drew quips that they found Rachel as a clerk at a supermarket.  For these reasons, Grocery Game gets 8 points, and Danger Price gets 3.

Master Key/Pick a Pair
So, here are the cons of these games: Pick a Pair is incredibly easy, and  Master Key is essentially a luck-based game that has a chance of a wipeout.  However, Master Key is a fun game to see because I love the set - with the dark wood and the larger-than-life locks.  And, Master Key is simply more fun to play than Pick-A-Pair.  So, I'll give Master Key a 7 and Pick-a-Pair a 4.

Take Two/Switcheroo
Switcheroo is a unique pricing game concept in which knowing the smaller prizes helps establish the car price, which could essentially be any of the 5 blocks, but if placed correctly, the player is left with the winning block for the car.  Take Two is what it is.  Not incredibly fun to play, and sometimes I feel that guessing the right combo is a shot in the dark.  Since Switcheroo derives its gameplay from truly knowing prices, I am giving 9 points to Switcheroo and 2 to Take Two.

Checkout/Swap Meet
For the longest time (before I could consider myself an LFAT), Swap Meet to me was like, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that game."  It's just not a memorable or exciting game.  Checkout, on the other hand, can be really exciting if the player is knowledgeable of grocery prices...and a play could completely miss a price and (inadvertently) make up for it with the other prices and still win.  I will admit, the calculator added some charm to the game and I do miss it.  But, overall, Checkout is more intriguing of a game.  I would not mind a set update on this game, though!  Checkout gets 10, Swap Meet gets 1.