|
|
Checkers Around the World Invented Checkers Variants
Justice League Unlimited
Champion Checkers Game (2004)
Mattel created this Justice League Champion
checkers game variant with a theme based on comic
superheroes. This Champion checkers game
gave the players superhero powers. Each side
had 7 superheroes among their, Champion
checkers game pieces listed below:
Superman
Wonder Woman
Batman
HawkGirl
Green Lantern
Martian
Manhunter
Flash
Included in the traditional checkers game
were 3 variants that described how these powers
should be used: one method activated the powers
once the checkers were kinged, another had
the superheroes open to both players, and the
last variant shielded all the checkers as in
Stratego, so that neither player knew which
of the opponent’s champion checkers were
which.
Justice League Unlimited Champion Checkers
was four games in one! The classic game of
checkers was now enhanced with three new game
play options where children could assume the
identities and powers of their favorite superheroes.
Superman used his super strength to move two
spaces diagonally. Batman could throw his Batarang
to capture a checker piece up to two spaces
away. Green Lantern created a shield that prevented
his capture. HawkGirl had the ability to move
an unlimited number of unoccupied spaces in
a straight diagonal line. Martian Manhunter
could move one non-diagonal space forward or
to the side and then make a regular jump. Wonder
Woman had the ability to move any opponent's
checker on the board, then make her regular
move, and Flash could make three moves in a
row! Each Champion checker game piece could
transform into exclusive Shield Movers.
As many other game manufacturers had done
before, Mattel used a familiar theme to entice
younger children to learn and play Champion
checkers, but the famous comic book characters
also gave the players a further dimension by
incorporating the element of superpowers to
be used to achieve each player’s goal
of winning the game. Now strategy and ‘supernatural
power’ could be applied hand in
hand to make this Champion checkers game a
little more intriguing for young minds.
|
|
