Beware the Spider was a board game released by Ideal in 1980. I turned seven in August of 1980 and remember having this game at a very early age, so I probably received it that year for my birthday. The game is similar in design to Operation, except instead of removing organs, in this game you remove bugs.
Despite still having many of my toys from that era (mostly Star Wars-related), I am sorry to say that I do not still own my original Beware the Spider game. BUT HOORAY, GOOD NEWS FOR ALL OF US! I found one at a flea market a couple of months ago complete in the box for $5. A winner is me.
If the game didn’t sound scary enough before, just look at those kids’ faces. THEM’S SOME SCARED KID FACES. The picture on the box pretty much explains the game’s mechanics — remove the plastic critters from the foil-covered web without directly touching it with your bug-removing-tuning-fork. Touching the metal web creates a circuit that starts the motor that launches the spider into your face.
No wonder I have freakin’ nightmares about spiders.
The good news is, except for the battery cover, all the parts are here. The bad news is, even with new batteries, it doesn’t seem to be working. I haven’t pulled out my meter yet, but either the motor died, or the foil isn’t conductive any more. I’d kind of like to get it working, if for no other reason than to pass on my arachnophobia on to the next generation. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Never heard of it but it looks neat. I guess it’s kind of like Operation, but only as if the patient suddenly sat up and screamed while you were cutting into him, which you must admit would be pretty cool.
Am demanding video!