Operation
Operation is another highly rated retro game with hundreds of gushingly-adoring reviews from buyers of this classic piece-of-genius. The idea is simple and if the instructions are to be believed, Operation is ideal for anyone aged between 4 to 99! (Sorry if you're 100 or older!)
Another 'poop your pants' game, Operation puts you in the shoes of a surgeon trying to remove various 'pieces' from the snoozing patient - until your fingers slip or you rush your move and set-off the alarm, wake the patient and send him buzzing, complete with a red glowing nose! Just one slight mistake and you've blown it - time to jump out of your skin!
We hadn't played Operation for a long time and expected to 'beat' this retro game quite easily. No such luck. At times, this is NOT an easy game and you WILL make mistakes. Lots of them! It's certainly not easy if you've had a couple of beers or glasses of wine and you're having a retro games party at home! Brilliant fun and highly recommended for lots of entertainment.
Buy This Now
Read the rules for Operation
Another 'poop your pants' game, Operation puts you in the shoes of a surgeon trying to remove various 'pieces' from the snoozing patient - until your fingers slip or you rush your move and set-off the alarm, wake the patient and send him buzzing, complete with a red glowing nose! Just one slight mistake and you've blown it - time to jump out of your skin!
We hadn't played Operation for a long time and expected to 'beat' this retro game quite easily. No such luck. At times, this is NOT an easy game and you WILL make mistakes. Lots of them! It's certainly not easy if you've had a couple of beers or glasses of wine and you're having a retro games party at home! Brilliant fun and highly recommended for lots of entertainment.
What is Operation?
Operation is a game of skill, suspense, and laughter where players take turns trying to remove various body parts from 'Cavity Sam' using a pair of tweezers - but touch the sides, and the buzzer goes off! The game is as fun to watch as it is to play, and the glowing red nose is a classic retro gaming image.
Fun Fact: The red nose on Cavity Sam lights up whenever the buzzer sounds - a truly iconic sight!
History of Operation
- Invented in 1964 by John Spinello, and first published by Milton Bradley in 1965.
- Operation has been a staple of family game nights for over 50 years.
- Over time, many themed editions have appeared, including Star Wars, Minions, and more.
- Still a top seller and a favourite at parties and family gatherings.
How to Play Operation - Rules
- Set Cavity Sam in the game board and lay out all the body part pieces.
- Players take turns using the tweezers to try and remove a piece without touching the metal sides.
- If you touch the sides, the buzzer sounds and your turn ends.
- Successfully remove a piece? You win the cash value written on the card!
- The player with the most money at the end of the game wins.
- Operation is for 1 or more players - yes, you can challenge yourself solo!
Strategy & Tips
- Practice your steady hand - slow and steady wins the game!
- Try approaching pieces from different angles for tough operations.
- Don't rush - anticipation and suspense are half the fun (and cause most of the giggles).
- Play for high stakes by raising the cash values or inventing your own rules.
Why We Love Operation
Operation is a riot of suspense and laughter. It's easy to learn, hard to master, and always hilarious. The buzzer never fails to make everyone jump!
Retro Tip: Some early versions of Operation had slightly different body parts. Collectors love to hunt them down!