Operation

## Overview

***Operation*** is a battery-operated game of physical skill that tests players' hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. The game's prototype was invented in 1964 by John Spinello, a University of Illinois industrial design student at the time, who sold his rights to the game to Milton Bradley for a money of USD $500 and the promise of a job upon graduation. Initially produced by Milton Bradley in 1965, *Operation* is currently owned by Hasbro, with an estimated franchise worth of USD $40 million.

The game is a variant on the classic electrified wire loop game is popular at the fun fairs around the United States. It consists of an "operating table", lithographed with a comic likeness of a patient (nicknamed "Cavity Sam") with a red lightbulb for his nose. In the surface are a number of openings, which reveal cavities filled with fictional and humorously named ailments made of plastic. The general gameplay requires players to remove these plastic ailments with a pair of tweezers not touching the edge of the cavity opening.

## How to Play

*Operation* includes two sets of cards: The *Specialist* cards are dealt out evenly amongst the players at the beginning of the game.

In the North American version, players take turns picking *Doctor* cards, which offer a cash payment for removing each particular ailment, using a pair of tweezers connected with wire to the board. Successfully removing the ailment is rewarded according to the dollar amount shown on the card. However, if the tweezers touch the metal edge of the opening during the attempt (thereby closing a circuit), a buzzer sounds, Sam's nose lights up red, and the player loses the turn. The player holding the *Specialist* card for that piece then has a try, getting double the fee if the players succeeds.
Since there will be times when the player drawing a certain *Doctor* card also holds the matching *Specialist* card, that player can purposely screw up the first attempt in order to attempt a second try for double value. The game can be difficult, due to the shapes of the plastic ailments and the fact the openings are not quite larger than the pieces for the players.

## Items

*See Operation/Items for in-depth information about items in Operation.*
## Revisions and Expansions

In 1964-1965, Saturday morning children's game show is called *Shenanigans* had a life-sized, three-dimensional *Operation* game as one of its challenges.

Aside from the traditional board game version, Milton Bradley also produced a handheld version which had a screen in Cavity Sam's stomach.

This also had a PC video game introduced in 1998.

In 2002, a brain surgery version was released, requiring the player to take pieces out of a wisecracking Cavity Sam's head, within 15 seconds. Sam's nose lights up after time runs out.

In May 2004, Hasbro and DreamWorks released a *Shrek* version of the game.

In 2005, Hasbro planned the release of *The Simpsons* version of the game, including a talking Homer Simpson being operated on by doctors Julius Hibbert and Nick Riviera. Items in the game include *Bowler's Thumb*, *Foot in Mouth*, and *Rubber Neck*. When a player misses, Homer screams or says one of his catchphrases such as "D'oh! or "This is not good!".

In December 2006, a Spider-Man version was released in which the player operates on the Marvel superhero Spider-Man. In early 2008, Hasbro included another Marvel superhero when it released an Incredible Hulk edition of the game to promote *The Incredible Hulk* feature film. In 2010, Hasbro also released an Iron Man version of the game to promote the film sequel's *Iron Man 2*.

In early 2007, Hasbro and Nickelodeon released a SpongeBob SquarePants version of the game including new items such as a "shoehorn" and a "Krabby Patty pleasure center".

Later in 2007, Hasbro released another version of the original game called *OPERATION Rescue Kit* in which the participant plays four new timed games with three skill levels. Each skill level reduces the starting amount of time. Cavity Sam has a heart monitor in this version, and the player can pump oxygen into him to add more time.

In August 2008, Hasbro released a "Silly Skill Game" version which features thirteen new sound effects for each of the other parts. The winner of the game is the player who removes most parts successfully.

A *Doctor Who* version of the game was released in United Kingdom, where players get to "operate" on a Dalek.

In 2010, Hasbro and Pixar released a *Toy Story 3* version featuring Buzz Lightyear as the patient. This following release of the *Toy Story 3* feature film into theaters. Another Pixar film was promoted in 2011, when Hasbro planned a *Cars 2* edition including Mater.

USAopoly released a *Family Guy* version of the game including Peter Griffin as the patient. USAopoly and Disney also released a *The Nightmare Before Christmas* version of the game (including Oogie Boogie as the patient). In the holiday season, USAopoly released a *Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer* version of the game (including the Abominable Snow Monster as the patient, with Rudolph's nose lighting up when the player hits the sides).

On The Hub's television game show *Family Game Night* hosted by Todd Newton, a segment called Operation Relay is played, where two families compete one after the other. Family members take turns taking pieces out of an oversized *Operation* gameboard, and then running through an obstacle course to finally place them in a container at the end of the course. If a player fails to take a piece not touching the side, or drops it while going through the obstacle course, they must move to the back of the line, and it's the next person's turn. Each piece is worth a specific amount of points, and whichever team has earned the highest score when time expires wins. Also on the show is Operation Sam Dunk, in which families play skee ball to collect the most points possible. Each family gets two turns and the team with the highest score wins the game. For the show's third season, Operation is introduced, in which one family can win money for a shopping spree by taking off pieces to earn up to four rolls and then play skee ball in a similar manner as in Operation Sam Dunk.

In 2013, Hasbro introduced Disney's *Doc McStuffins* and *Despicable Me 2* versions of the game.

## Trivia

* The item "Brain Freeze" was added in 2004, when Milton Bradley allowed fans a chance to vote on a new piece to be added to the original game during the past year. Voters were given three choices and could make their selection via the company's official website or by cellphone for a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree. The winning piece beat out *tennis elbow* and *growling stomach*.

## Gallery

How to Play Operation - Doctor & Specialist Cards in the Game Operation
## Links and References

* How to Play - wikiHow
* BoardGameGeek Review