Friends is an iconic and beloved American sitcom that ran for 10 years over 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 and left an indelible mark on pop culture. With its unforgettable characters, hilarious moments, and heartwarming storylines, the show has garnered a massive fan base worldwide. Set in New York City, Friends follows the lives of six friends – Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe – as they navigate the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship. The show’s iconic setting, Central Perk, has become synonymous with cosy coffee shop hangouts and memorable conversations. Now, fans can relive the magic of Friends with the trivia board game Friends Race to Central Perk where players can put their Friends knowledge to the test.
The Friends Race to Central Perk board game is a delightful tribute to the iconic TV show. A trivia-based board game suitable for 2-4 players, age 12+, with a playing time of approximately 30 minutes. This fun game allows fans to test their knowledge of the series while racing to the famous Central Perk sofa. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this game promises hours of fun and nostalgia.
In the box:
- Game Board
- 55 Trivia Cards (44 Standard Trivia and 11 Curveball Trivia)
- 7 Playing Tokens with Stands (Character Standeez)
- Die
- Instructions / Rules
Setting up the game to play is easy. Place the colourful game board which features familiar locations from the show, including Central Perk, Monica’s apartment, and Joey’s place, in the middle of the table. Players select their favourite character as their playing token and places it on a sofa found at the corners of the board (this is their starting spot). Place the Curveball Trivia Standee on the tile that has a photo of Rachel in her wedding dress. Separate the Trivia cards and Curveball Trivia cards and place them face down within easy reach of all players. In the box is also a die (dice), but there is no reference to this in the instructions and we never used it when playing so I have no idea what this is for.
To play, one player takes a Trivia card from the top of the pile and reads it aloud to the player to their left. If their Friends trivia knowledge is up to scratch and they get the answer correct they move the number of spaces on the board as indicated at the top of the Trivia card (I can only assume this was decided by the roll of the die before added to the card?). If their Friends knowledge is lacking and they get it wrong or can’t answer they stay where they are. At the end of each turn, whether the question was answered correctly or not, move the Curveball Trivia Standee moves the same number of spaces as on the Trivia card (if it lands on a space occupied by another player they must answer a Curveball question correctly to stay where they are, if not they return to their sofa). Play then moves on to the next player. When moving around the outer circle of the game board, when landing on a tile it will have an image of a cup of coffee, sofa, turkey or lobster and this relates to the question that you will need to answer from the Trivia card (the Trivia cards have 4 questions on each).
When a player has completed one full lap of the outer ring on the board they move onto a white circle space between the outer and inner rings. To progress to the inner ring they must answer a question of their choice from cup of coffee, sofa, turkey or lobster – get it wrong and they can move one space on to the inner ring, get it correct and move the number of spaces as indicated on the card.
Complete one full lap of the inner ring and then move on to a white space in the centre. Answer a question correctly to move from the white circle to the Central Perk image to win the game.
Overall, if you love Friends you will love the this game – a must-have game for Friends fanatics. The Trivia questions range from easy to challenging, covering various aspects of the show. The Curveball questions cards introduce unexpected twists and challenges, adding an element of surprise to the gameplay.
The game is easy to set up and play (apart from the confusion as why there is a die that isn’t used), perfect for game nights with your own Friends. It’s fun and allows fans to relive their favourite moments from the show.
Can you answer questions such as why did Phobe not know her middle name or why did Chandler spend Thanksgiving in a wooden box or what season did Gunther start to speak in?
The game does have some downsides; why is there a die? Why is it only a game for 2-4 players when Friends has 6 main characters? – personally I think it should have accommodated 6 players. And after you have played it a few times the questions start to get repetitive making it too easy for the same group of players, which can reduce the challenge.
If you love Friends, the Friends Race to Central Perk Board Game is a fantastic addition to your board game collection. Its combination of engaging trivia, nostalgic references, and simple gameplay makes it a hit for players of all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the series, this game is sure to provide hours of entertainment and laughter.
Gather your friends, grab a cup of coffee, and race to Central Perk for a fun-filled game night!
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £19.99 (currently £12.99)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
