Orbito^*

Orbito is an abstract four-in-a-row duel for two players aged 7 and up. The catch: every turn spins the entire board one notch further. A game lasts about ten minutes and keeps both players rethinking their plan.

What is it about?

Line up four marbles of your colour, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, and you win. That much sounds like the schoolyard classic. The difference lives in the patented board: concentric rings on which the marbles circle like planets on their orbits.

How a turn works

Each turn is the same three steps:

1. Drop in a new marble or move one already on the board, including your opponent's.
2. Press the Orbito button. Every marble shifts one position along its orbit.
3. Check whether a row of four has appeared.

Because that single press rearranges everything, planning becomes a balancing act. An almost finished row can fall apart a moment later. Just as easily, a winning line snaps together when nobody saw it coming.

What's in the box

• A round board with interlocking, rotating rings.
• Eight marbles in each of two colours.
• The Orbito button that drives the rotation.

Who is it for?

• Two-player households after a quick head-to-head.
• Fans of Connect Four and noughts and crosses who want more depth.
• Families with children from around seven.

Conclusion

Orbito takes an ancient idea and literally keeps turning it. If you enjoy planning ahead and playing with the constant motion rather than against it, you get a clever little contest. If you want firm control over the board, the rotation will feel like a nuisance at first.