In the grand tradition of Calvinball, this four-player table tennis setup looks like it borrows elements from other games. Including ping pong and billiards; mashing them up into a new creation that’s ready to destroy friendships.
Unlike doubles table tennis, where players on each side work together to score points, it’s every person for themselves in this creation. The table is split into four sections, and players can hit the ball onto whichever surface they want. The angled surfaces result in bounces that don’t fly all over the room but also require quick reflexes to return a shot. Points are scored when a player misses a shot, or when they hit the ball into the centre hole of an opponent’s table.
Available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $US250, I’m particularly fond of this unique take on table tennis, because you’re not stuck with a giant permanent table filling your basement or garage. I know most of them do fold up, but they’re still a pain to wrangle and put away. [Hammacher Schlemmer]