Operation (game)
Encyclopedia
Operation is a battery-operated game of physical skill that tests players' hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills. Originally made by Milton Bradley
, and currently made by Hasbro it has been in production since 1965, the year in which the game was invented by John Spinello.
The game is a variant on the old-fashioned wire loop electric game
popular at fun-fairs and flammer stores around the United States. It consists of an "operating table", lithographed with a comic likeness of a patient (nicknamed "Cavity Sam") with a large red light-bulb for his nose. In the surface are a number of openings, which reveal fictional and humorously-named ailments made of white plastic.
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 (i.e., closing the circuit) during the attempt, 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 he or she succeeds. Since there will be times when the player drawing a certain Doctor card also holds the matching Specialist card, that player can purposely botch the first attempt in order to succeed on the second try for double value.
The winner is the player with the most money after all the pieces have been extracted.
The game can be difficult, due to the shapes of the plastic ailments and the fact the openings are barely larger than the pieces themselves.
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 previous year. Voters were given three choices and could make their selection via the company's official website or by phone for a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree. The winning piece beat out tennis elbow
and growling stomach
.
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 hand-held version, which had a screen in Sam's tummy.
In 2002, a brain surgery version was released, requiring the player to pull pieces out of a wisecracking Cavity Sam's head, within 15 seconds. Sam's nose lights up after time runs out.
This also had a PC game produced in 1998.
In May 2004, a Shrek
version of the game was released.
In December 2006, a Spider-Man
version was released, in which the player operates on the Marvel comic hero, Spider-Man.
In early 2007, a SpongeBob SquarePants
version was introduced, featuring game pieces such as a "shoehorn" and a "Krabby Patty pleasure center". Based on the Nickelodeon
TV series by the same name.
2005 saw the release of a Simpsons
version of the game, featuring 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, the Homer figure screams or says one of his trademark lines such as "D'oh!
or "This is not good!".
Later in 2007, Hasbro released a different version of the original game called, "OPERATION Rescue Kit". Here you play four different timed games with three skill levels. Each skill level reduces the starting amount of time. Cavity Sam now has a heart monitor, and you can even pump oxygen into him to gain more time.
In August 2008, Hasbro released a "Silly Skill Game" version which features 13 different sound effects for each of the different parts. Here the winner of the game is the player who removes most parts successfully.
A Doctor Who
version of the game was released in Great Britain, where players get to "operate" on a Dalek
in order to (from the product description) "make it strong enough to take over the world. But be careful... if you damage it'll quickly tell you with one of its terrifying phrases! Whether it's the Targeting Sensor that you need to operate on, or the Manipulator Arm, you'll need a steady hand and nerves of steel!"
In 2010, Hasbro released a Toy Story 3 version featuring Buzz Lightyear instead of the classic patient. This followed the release of Toy Story 3 into theaters.
In 2010 Hasbro also released an Iron Man
version of the game.
In 2011, Hasbro made a Cars 2 edition including Mater the tow truck.
On the HUB Network's television 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 pulling pieces out of an oversized Operation gameboard, and then running through an obstacle course to eventually place them in a container at the end of the course.
If a player fails to pull a piece without 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.
Milton Bradley Company
The Milton Bradley Company is an American game company established by Milton Bradley in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1860. In 1920, it absorbed the game production of McLoughlin Brothers, formerly the largest game manufacturer in the United States, and in 1987, it purchased Selchow and Righter,...
, and currently made by Hasbro it has been in production since 1965, the year in which the game was invented by John Spinello.
The game is a variant on the old-fashioned wire loop electric game
Wire loop game
BondNick rocksA wire loop game is a game which involves guiding a metal loop along a serpentine length of wire without actually touching the loop to the wire. The loop and wire are connected to a power source in such a way that, if they touch, they form a closed electric circuit...
popular at fun-fairs and flammer stores around the United States. It consists of an "operating table", lithographed with a comic likeness of a patient (nicknamed "Cavity Sam") with a large red light-bulb for his nose. In the surface are a number of openings, which reveal fictional and humorously-named ailments made of white plastic.
Gameplay
"Operation" includes two sets of cards: Doctor and Specialist cards. The Specialist cards are dealt out evenly amongst the players at the beginning of the game.Players take turns picking Doctor cards, which offer a cash payment for removing each particular ailment, using a pair of tweezers
Tweezers
Tweezers are tools used for picking up and manipulating objects too small to be easily handled with the human hands. They are probably derived from tongs, pincers, or scissors-like pliers used to grab or hold hot objects since the dawn of recorded history...
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 (i.e., closing the circuit) during the attempt, 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 he or she succeeds. Since there will be times when the player drawing a certain Doctor card also holds the matching Specialist card, that player can purposely botch the first attempt in order to succeed on the second try for double value.
The winner is the player with the most money after all the pieces have been extracted.
The game can be difficult, due to the shapes of the plastic ailments and the fact the openings are barely larger than the pieces themselves.
- Adam's Apple: in the throat; The Adam's appleAdam's appleThe laryngeal prominence—commonly known as the Adam's Apple—is a feature of the human neck. This lump, or protrusion, is formed by the angle of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx...
is a colloquial term referring to the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx that becomes more visually prominent during puberty. (100 points) - Broken Heart: a heart shape with a crack through it on the right side of the chest. The phrase "broken heart" refers to an emotional feeling in which someone is very sad for a reason such as a breakup with a romantic partner. (100 points)
- Wrenched Ankle: a wrenchWrenchA wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning....
in the right ankle. (100 points) - Butterflies in the Stomach: a large butterfly in the middle of the torso. The name comes from the feeling in the stomach when nervous, excited or afraid. (100 points)
- Spare Ribs: two ribs fused together as one piece. "Spare Ribs" are a cut of meat or a dish prepared from that cut. (150 points)
- Water on the Knee: a pail of water in the knee; colloquialism for fluid accumulation around the knee joint. (150 points)
- Funny Bone: a play on the anatomical name for the upper arm bone (the humerusHumerusThe humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow....
), and a reference to the colloquial name of the ulnar nerveUlnar nerveIn human anatomy, the ulnar nerve is a nerve which runs near the ulna bone. The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint is in relation with the ulnar nerve. The nerve is the largest unprotected nerve in the human body , so injury is common...
. (200 points) - Charley Horse: a small horse resting near the hip joint; a play on the real charley horseCharley horseA charley horse is a popular North American colloquial term for painful spasms or cramps in the leg muscles, typically lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours. Also known as a "Tommy Horse"...
, which is a sudden crampCrampCramps are unpleasant, often painful sensations caused by muscle contraction or over shortening. Common causes of skeletal muscle cramps include muscle fatigue, low sodium, and low potassium...
in the leg or foot that can be cured by massage or stretching. (200 points) - Writer's Cramp: a pencil in the forearm; refers to the real writer's crampWriter's crampWriter's cramp, also called mogigraphia and scrivener's palsy, causes a cramp or spasm affecting certain muscles of the hand and/or fingers. Writer's cramp is a task-specific focal dystonia of the hand...
, which is a soreness in the wrist that can be cured by resting it. (200 points) - The Ankle Bone Connected to the Knee Bone: This is not a plastic piece, but rather a rubber band that must be stretched between two pegs at the left ankle and knee. The name is taken from the African AmericanAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
spiritualSpiritual (music)Spirituals are religious songs which were created by enslaved African people in America.-Terminology and origin:...
"Dem BonesDem BonesDem Bones, Dry Bones or Dem Dry Bones is a well-known traditional spiritual song, used to teach basic anatomy to children. The melody was written by African-American author and songwriter James Weldon Johnson . Two versions of this traditional song are used widely, the second an abridgment of the...
." (200 points) - Wish Bone: located on the left side of the chest. A wish bone is a chicken bone traditionally used by two people for making a wish. (300 points)
- Bread Basket: a slang term for the stomach. It is a very small slice of bread, with only a small notch taken out of the top for grip. (1,000 points)
- Brain Freeze: an ice-cream cone located in the brain; refers to the experience of "brain freezeBrain freezeAn ice-cream headache, also known as brain freeze, cold-stimulus headache, or its given scientific name sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia , is a form of brief cranial pain or headache commonly associated with consumption of cold beverages or foods such as ice cream and popsicles...
", a headache felt after eating frozen desserts too quickly.
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 previous year. Voters were given three choices and could make their selection via the company's official website or by phone for a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree. The winning piece beat out tennis elbow
Tennis elbow
Lateral epicondylitis or lateral epicondylalgia, also known as tennis elbow, shooter's elbow and archer's elbow, is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender...
and growling stomach
Borborygmus
Borborygmus also known as stomach growling, rumbling, gurgling, grumbling or wambling, is the rumbling sound produced by the contraction of muscles in the stomach and intestines of animals, including humans...
.
Other versions
The 1964-1965 Saturday morning children's game show, ShenanigansShenanigans (TV series)
Shenanigans is a children's television game show that aired on ABC Saturday mornings from September 26, 1964 to March 20, 1965, and again from September 25 to December 18, 1965. The show was a revival of Video Village, produced by Merrill Heatter and Bob Quigley, and also featured a life-size game...
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 hand-held version, which had a screen in Sam's tummy.
In 2002, a brain surgery version was released, requiring the player to pull pieces out of a wisecracking Cavity Sam's head, within 15 seconds. Sam's nose lights up after time runs out.
This also had a PC game produced in 1998.
In May 2004, a Shrek
Shrek
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
version of the game was released.
In December 2006, a Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
version was released, in which the player operates on the Marvel comic hero, Spider-Man.
In early 2007, a SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
version was introduced, featuring game pieces such as a "shoehorn" and a "Krabby Patty pleasure center". Based on the Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
TV series by the same name.
2005 saw the release of a Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
version of the game, featuring a talking Homer Simpson
Homer Simpson
Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
being operated on by doctors Julius Hibbert
Julius Hibbert
Dr. Julius M. Hibbert, usually referred to as Dr. Hibbert, is a recurring character on the animated series The Simpsons. His speaking voice is provided by Harry Shearer and his singing voice was by Thurl Ravenscroft, and he first appeared in the episode "Bart the Daredevil". Dr...
and Nick Riviera
Dr. Nick Riviera
Dr. Nick Riviera, usually referred to as Dr. Nick, is a recurring fictional character on the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria, and first appeared in the episode "Bart Gets Hit by a Car". Riviera is an inept quack physician, and a satire of incompetent medical...
. Items in the game include Bowler's Thumb, Foot in Mouth, and Rubber Neck. When a player misses, the Homer figure screams or says one of his trademark lines such as "D'oh!
D'oh!
"D'oh!" is a catchphrase used by the fictional character Homer Simpson, from the long-running American animated sitcom The Simpsons . It is typically used when Homer injures himself, realizes that he has done something stupid, or when something bad has happened or is about to happen to him...
or "This is not good!".
Later in 2007, Hasbro released a different version of the original game called, "OPERATION Rescue Kit". Here you play four different timed games with three skill levels. Each skill level reduces the starting amount of time. Cavity Sam now has a heart monitor, and you can even pump oxygen into him to gain more time.
In August 2008, Hasbro released a "Silly Skill Game" version which features 13 different sound effects for each of the different parts. Here the winner of the game is the player who removes most parts successfully.
A Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
version of the game was released in Great Britain, where players get to "operate" on a Dalek
Dalek
The Daleks are a fictional extraterrestrial race of mutants from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Within the series, Daleks are cyborgs from the planet Skaro, created by the scientist Davros during the final years of a thousand-year war against the Thals...
in order to (from the product description) "make it strong enough to take over the world. But be careful... if you damage it'll quickly tell you with one of its terrifying phrases! Whether it's the Targeting Sensor that you need to operate on, or the Manipulator Arm, you'll need a steady hand and nerves of steel!"
In 2010, Hasbro released a Toy Story 3 version featuring Buzz Lightyear instead of the classic patient. This followed the release of Toy Story 3 into theaters.
In 2010 Hasbro also released an Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
version of the game.
In 2011, Hasbro made a Cars 2 edition including Mater the tow truck.
On the HUB Network's television show Family Game Night hosted by Todd Newton
Todd Newton
Todd Newton is an entertainment personality and a three-time game show host.Newton has hosted Hollywood Showdown and Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck, both on Game Show Network; and Coming Attractions on E!, as well as occasional episodes of Wild On... He is known for occasionally wearing a...
, a segment called Operation Relay is played, where two families compete one after the other. Family members take turns pulling pieces out of an oversized Operation gameboard, and then running through an obstacle course to eventually place them in a container at the end of the course.
If a player fails to pull a piece without 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.