Golden Balls (DVD)

When Golden Balls came onto our TV Screens in 2007, I failed to get a grip on what exactly it was. The rules are complex, and after a long day of mental strain, I couldn't really be bothered to persevere with it. Nonetheless, I managed to and (after about 5 shows) I had a rough understanding of the object of the game. It is presented by Brummie comedian Jasper Carrott, famous for his stand up and acting roles over several decades. Once I understood ...
...on me, and I made a habit of tuning in, which led me to purchase the DVD game upon its release.

So the rules (the hardest part of writing this review by a long shot). There are 4 contestants to start with, and each is given 4 'golden balls' at random, which contain either any amount between a tenner and a cool £75,000, or a 'killer'. Killers are like the spawn of Satan, but they only take real effect in the final game (more of which ... more

When Golden Balls came onto our TV Screens in 2007, I failed to get a grip on what exactly it was. The rules are complex, and after a long day of mental strain, I couldn't really be bothered to persevere with it. Nonetheless, I managed to and (after about 5 shows) I had a rough understanding of the object of the game. It is presented by Brummie comedian Jasper Carrott, famous for his stand up and acting roles over several decades. Once I understood the rules of the game, it actually begin to grow on me, and I made a habit of tuning in, which led me to purchase the DVD game upon its release.

So the rules (the hardest part of writing this review by a long shot). There are 4 contestants to start with, and each is given 4 'golden balls' at random, which contain either any amount between a tenner and a cool £75,000, or a 'killer'. Killers are like the spawn of Satan, but they only take real effect in the final game (more of which a bit later). The first 2 of these balls are revealed for all to see, but the other 2 aren't. It is the job of the contestants to blag their way through to the next round by persuading the others that their concealed balls are good enough to go through (keeping up?). This is either helped or hindered by what they already have on display, for example, if they have two high cash balls, then they are obviously going to be wanted to be kept through the game, so that contestant is reasonably safe. But if they have say 2 killers (of which there are 4 in the first round), then whatever they say, the other contestants aren't going to want to take them through, and so that contestant will probably get voted off, and have their balls binned, never to return.

The second round is similar, but the 3 contestants left have 5 balls, and have to defend 3 concealed balls. 2 csh balls are added to replace the binned balls, and also 1 killer ball is added, just to make things more interesting. The person who receives the most votes is eliminated, and the final 2 proceed to the final game, 'Bin or Win'.

This is a bit simpler. The ten balls taken through by the successful contestants are placed on a desk and chosen randomly in turn by each contestant. This is where the killer balls come into play. Only the win balls are accepted and contribute to the final fund. These are whatever cash amount is concealed within them, but if they choose a killer ball for the win turn, then this knocks the prize fund down to just 10% of what it was. And now the biggest twist of the game, 'Split or Steal'. Each contestant has a split ball and a steal ball, and must choose either. If both players split, then they share half of the prize fund each, if one steals and the other splits, the stealer gets the lot and the splitter gets nothing, and if they are both greedy and steal, they both get nothing.

Now at long last to the actual DVD game. Certain elements cannot truly be exercised here than on the actual show, such as the persuasion of the other players. Also, checking the concealed balls in the main two rounds is done with paper wheels that correspond to a number given by Carrott, whereby the two amounts, or killer(s) are shown to you. Then you must persuade the others that you are worth taking through. Voting takes place (bearing in mind you are automatically given a player profile when playing), and the rest is just like the game. Split of Steal and Bin to Win are played by picking the random balls with the arrows on the remote control, which can be done quite quickly.

There are a few niggles with the DVD game. I found after just 4 plays that it was getting too boring and repetitive, and haven't really played it since. Throughout most of it, only Jasper Carrott's voice can be heard, and he can't really be seen, apart from at the very beginning and end. It also is perhaps not the perfect game for children, as it promotes deception and lying; skills that should be vehemently discouraged. It is however reasonable value for money, at around a tenner, but you don't get a lot of longevity for it, and after a handful of games, boredom will most likely set in.

So if you're looking for an entertaining DVD game for all the family, this is ok, but there are better titles out there.  

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