BLOCKBUSTERS
Front Game Rules (Cullen Version)
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Front Game Rules (Rafferty Version)
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End Game (Both versions) - "Gold Run"
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Notes
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An interesting concept here. Both runs have their advantages, but I have to side with Rafferty as having the best run. The "Two heads vs. one" idea really didn't catch on with me, and I liked the fact that in Rafferty's version the advantage goes to the champ in the second round. Rafferty's run also had the better set and the better theme music. Cullen, of course, is the better host of the two, and the game seemed a little more fast-paced in his version. The drawback of both? Gold Run was too easy to win. They should have shortened the time limit down and made the contestants work faster.
Gameplay: 2 pts.
Host: 3 pts.
Presentation: 1 pt.
Execution: 2 pts.
Total Score: 8 pts.
Gameplay: 2 pts.
Host: 2 pts.
Presentation: 2 pts.
Execution: 2 pts.
Total Score: 8 pts.
One solo player competed against a family pair. In each game, the object was to connect both sides of the playing field by answering questions. Each sector of the board was represented by a letter, which is the first letter of the answer (Ex. "What H is the capital of Hawaii?" Answer: Honolulu). The solo player represented red, and tried to connect the top and bottom sides of the board (needing a minimum of 4 blocks) while the family pair was in white and had to connect the sides of the board (needing at least 5 blocks). Each game won $500, two games won the match and a trip to the bonus round.
Two solo players compete. The rules are the same as Cullen's, but since two individual players are going at it, the play structure is changed. In the first round, the challenger has the advantage of going top to bottom while the champ had to go side to side. In the second round, they switched. If a tiebreaker was needed, one column of blocks was removed so that either player could win with 4 blocks. Each game was worth $100.
In the end game, the object was to solve acronyms and connect the left and right sides of the board in under 60 seconds. When the player picked a block, the host read a clue to the phrase (Ex. "BBNW"'s clue might be "Press Your Luck's war cry." Ans: "Big Bucks, no Whammies"). If a player passed on a block or gave an incorrect answer, that block was taken away and the player had to work around it. The player got $100 for each block they got right, and $5,000 if they connected the board. (In the Rafferty version, the jackpot grew by $5K each time it wasn't won.)
One of the most inspiring contestants in game show history has to be John Hatten from the original run of Blockbusters. The fact that during his reign as champion, he won 20 games and pocketed $120,000 (the highest possible total) is amazing enough. But what makes him special is his ability to overcome incredible obstacles. After winning his 6th match, he learned that his house had burned down to the ground during the taping. This might have shaken others, but not Hatten. He still remained focused and went on to become the highest money-winner in Blockbusters history.