Physical design, gameplay design, either way this custom Tron Light Cycles Board Game is a straight-up winner. Built by a modder to play with his sons, this one-of-a-kind, laser-etched board with tinted acrylic jet walls is like a Franklin Mint Chess Set from a very, very awesome future.
The pieces are die-cast Tron vehicles, which accommodate four-wheel variants (and the board can be equipped with ramps). As for how it plays, according to Ars Technica, players take either blue or orange light cycles and take turns moving, leaving two-inch-long jet walls behind them. Any cycle trapped or unable to avoid a wall is eliminated and removed. Trails may stay on the board for the duration of the game, or disappear after five turns. Another rule variant involves throwing dice to see if a cycle may make a turn.
The creator, Brett King, says he has no intention of selling this game, and I wouldn't either. I've no idea what this sort of thing would do as a mass market collectible, but it'd be a deserved happy ending if Disney licensed it from King.
One-of-a-kind Tron light cycle board game? Yessir [Ars Technica]