Matthew Bailey“Screwball Scramble Level UP” is the latest addition to the Screwball Scramble Series by Tomy, alongside the “Screwball Scramble Card Game” (which I also picked up and found to be utterly bonkers, but that’s a tale for another day).
I looked at all the other Screwball Scrambles about a month ago, and this one has come out since, which is rather frustrating because my previous review aimed to cover all these types of dexterity games.
I played this game alongside all three of my children, but it was Jack who was most involved, as this type of game is right up his alley.
The first thing that catches your eye about “Screwball Scramble Level UP” is the change in styling from cheerful marbles to a neon aesthetic. However, it’s worth noting that the card game, released at the exact same time, continues to use the old styling from the previous two games.
Upon opening the packaging and assembling all the components, it becomes evident that this is a vertical game and doesn’t have the same footprint as the other two. As before, you can connect them together to create one long, continuous level.
The game mechanics this time around are a mixed bag, with highlights including the bridge where you must navigate the rungs carefully to avoid them spreading too wide and causing the ball to fall through. There’s also a section where the ball rolls back and forth, and you need to poke it into the correct hole as it passes by to prevent it from dropping to the bottom. However, there are a few elements that aren’t as inspired, such as the Sawbridge and the throwing cups that seem to work only sporadically.
I have a genuine fondness for these types of dexterity games, and I’m thrilled that they’re continuing with the Screwball Scramble series. Nevertheless, I do have some concerns. Firstly, the departure in theme and branding is a bit annoying, as I’d prefer if they all matched. It’s even more perplexing that the recently released card game (which I’ll review later this week) sticks with the old branding. Another issue is the visibility when playing on a table; during the blue bridge section at the bottom, the pink bridge above it can obstruct your view, making it challenging to complete the task without awkwardly crouching down. Additionally, much of the game’s styling is achieved with stickers, and I’m not a big fan of stickers as they tend to wear over time.
Currently, as it has just been released, it is somewhat expensive at £30. Honestly, I’d say it’s worth the investment only if you’re a massive fan of these types of games; otherwise, it might not quite justify the price tag just yet.
Overall I prefer this to “Level 2” but I still prefer the original as well as “Kong Man” and “Skull Adventure Island”
