
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,539
- BGG rating
- 6.8
The Magic Labyrinth
- 2–4 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2009

Rules assistance for Downspin
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Downspin is a board game released in 1970 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. Its main mechanics are Memory.
A head-to-head strategy game of cause-and-effect with a twist—literally. Players face off across a shared vertical screen rigged with five interconnected knobs. Behind this screen, each player loads their colored discs (numbered 1 through 5) into chutes at the top. On your turn, you twist a knob to move your own disc downward—but the catch is that the knobs operate differently on each side of the screen. What moves your disc forward might inadvertently help—or sabotage—your opponent! To win, be the first to get your discs to the bottom in perfect order... or cunningly force your rival’s discs out of sequence. Quick thinking and risk-taking make this contraption game a puzzle, a race, and a psychological standoff in one. Several variants are offered in the rules. 1994 Mensa Select
Downspin supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Downspin is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Downspin for ages 7 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Downspin has a complexity rating of 1.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Downspin belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy, Memory, and Maze. Its main mechanics are Memory. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Downspin as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.