As a child of the 80s and 90s, I have fond memories of playing these classic games with my siblings and friends. From the strategic Uno to the thrilling Mouse Trap, each game had its unique charm and taught us valuable life lessons, such as teamwork, strategy, and resilience.

If I were to choose one for a modern-day Squid Game adaptation, it would have to be Battleship. The idea of players commanding mini warships and firing real ordinance at their opponents is an epic production value that could deliver both suspenseful gameplay and powerful commentary on military service.

But let’s not forget the humor – imagine the look on their faces when they realize they’re playing with actual missiles instead of plastic boats! It would be a hilarious twist on the classic board game that we all know and love. So, bring on the Squid Game: Battleship edition, I can’t wait to see it!

The popular Korean horror-drama series, “Squid Game”, is back in the spotlight as Netflix prepares for the premiere of its second season. For those who may have missed it, “Squid Game” has expanded into a multi-faceted franchise, with the original TV show being transformed into a successful reality series on Netflix (“Squid Game: The Challenge”), real-life gaming events, video games and plans for a third season of the main series. It’s no wonder that Netflix is also planning an American adaptation of “Squid Game”, with Oscar-winning director David Fincher (“The Game”, “Se7en”, “Fight Club”) at the helm.

The title “Squid Game” encapsulates the distinctive Korean cultural elements presented within the show, so it makes sense that a U.S. adaptation would reflect this by featuring American childhood games and shared cultural references as the basis for life-or-death challenges in the reimagined version of Squid Game. To achieve this, I have selected several popular games from American childhood, which could be reinvented as dangerous, high-stakes competitions in the Squid Game remake.

Games I Need to See In the Squid Game (US) Remake

Dodgeball

Every child recalls the classroom anxiety of standing in line and confronting your peers during a game of dodgeball. This brutal and predatory contest offered kids an outlet to release pent-up energy and frustration, with adults frequently employing it as a means to address group conflicts and resolve disputes. Essentially, dodgeball serves as much a psychological test for groups as it does a physical one – its unique blend of aspects making it an ideal fit for the Squid Game.

There are numerous methods to intensify a game of dodgeball, such as having players eliminate each other from a platform or transforming the balls into dangerous projectiles. The interplay between team tactics and individual skill would create an exhilarating and dramatic experience. Additionally, the defensive moves in the game, like catching or deflecting balls, can swiftly change the course of the match. Given that a hilarious film has been crafted from this sport, it seems straightforward to imagine a captivating episode for Squid Game.

Four Square

Four-square is an old game with roots dating back to medieval France during the 12th century, but for American children, particularly those living in cities, it’s become a common pastime throughout history. With just some chalk, a ball, the street, and at least four players, this simple game has been a popular choice for entertainment. In many ways, it reflects the socio-economic life of urban America.

In this game setup, a sizable square is partitioned into four smaller squares (labeled 1 through 4). Each participant takes a position in one of these squares. The goal of the game is straightforward: hit the ball into another player’s square, who must then pass it to yet another player before the ball bounces twice within their square. If a player fails to make the pass or allows multiple bounces, they are eliminated and replaced either by an existing player moving up from lower-numbered squares or by a new entrant in square “1.

Four Square might perfectly suit the atmosphere of Squid Game, given its design encourages players to strategically target each other. This could expose any hidden tensions and deceit among competitors. It could mirror the “marble game” episode in the original series, as alliances thought to be strong may face testing moments when players must decide whom they truly stand with.

Hopscotch

In a simpler, more conversational way: The similarity between the original “Squid Game” and its American adaptation might be most noticeable in Episode 7, titled “VIPs”. In this episode, the original show presented one of its scariest games – a massive glass bridge with both breakable and unbreakable sections. This idea can easily be adapted to a version of Hopscotch for the US remake.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the hopscotch from the hit series “Squid Game” takes on a whole new level of intensity. Instead of just a children’s game, it becomes a matter of life or death. The rules remain the same – tossing a marker and hopping through numbered blocks to retrieve it. However, those who fail to navigate swiftly find themselves falling prey to hidden traps, turning this once innocent grid into a chilling pathway of peril.

Seesaw

In the first two seasons of “Squid Game,” important democratic processes were showcased, allowing players to make crucial decisions. When considering an American adaptation of “Squid Game,” it’s essential to explore the balance between democracy and alternative systems such as capitalism. Seesaw could serve as a powerful metaphor for this examination and, moreover, deliver a decisive twist in the game for the competitors.

Picture this scenario: Every player stands in the center of a colossal teeter-totter, but over time, the zone of balance is reduced, compelling each player to pick a side. However, each selected side must accommodate approximately 75% of players, causing their combined weight to pull them towards safety, while those left on the opposite side find themselves lifted off the ground. Suspended high above, they face a deadly contraption, like a giant pendulum blade, that indiscriminately eliminates them.

As someone who has spent countless hours at playgrounds throughout my lifetime, observing and playing on various equipment, I cannot help but see a profound reflection of American society in the seemingly simple seesaw. Growing up, I remember eagerly jumping onto the seesaw with friends, trying to balance our weight just right so we could soar into the air together. But as I grew older, I began to notice how the seesaw was not just a game, but a microcosm of the complexities that define us as a nation.

The seesaw becomes a stage for a congressional-style debate between the players, each one choosing which side to stand on based on their personal, political, or spiritual beliefs. The choice of sides is not always clear-cut, and often the decision is influenced by factors far beyond the confines of the playground.

In this simple ride, I see a mirror image of our own society, where people are constantly forced to take sides, to choose loyalties based on the ever-shifting sands of personal, political, or spiritual beliefs. The seesaw becomes a deep metaphor for the delicate balancing act we all perform daily, trying to maintain harmony and stability while navigating the turbulent waters of modern American life.

Uno

Squid Game featured a mix of demanding physical games and strategic ones where underdogs could shine. A game similar to Squid Game in terms of blending chance and tactical thinking is Uno, which is often the first card game American children are introduced to.

Similar to other games on my list, Uno offers the chance for players to form strategic partnerships and focus on eliminating opponents, or allows a player to strategically hold cards in secret until the perfect moment strikes. Elements of luck come into play as players draw from an unpredictable deck that can introduce unexpected twists. A setup where four-player groups lead to only one winner sets the stage for high stakes that will keep viewers captivated. After playing Uno, you’ll never approach the game in the same manner again.

Battleship

As a huge fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about the potential twist in the American adaptation of “Squid Game.” Instead of sticking strictly to the original games, why not introduce a deadly take on the classic game of Battleship? It would be an ingenious Easter egg reference to “Squid Game: The Challenge” and keep viewers on their toes!

Engaging miniature sea battles with players manning mini-warships, launching authentic weaponry at enemy vessels, promises an awe-inspiring spectacle. If executed skillfully, it could serve as potent commentary on military service, where one must courageously fulfill their duty despite facing danger.

Mouse Trap

Originating in the 1960s, Mouse Trap is a distinctive board game that often marks children’s initial forays into tabletop gaming. The game sets players an unusual task: collaboratively constructing an intricate Rube Goldberg contraption before ultimately competing against each other and employing the same device to ensnare their rivals.

In the vein of “Squid Game,” a possible adaptation for an American version of the game “Mouse Trap” could be referred to as its “cookie episode equivalent.” Here, players would collaborate in constructing the machine, while the “mice” must navigate through a series of deadly traps and reach the end of the board alive. If the show creators accurately portray the intricate sequence of how these traps are activated, it transforms this “Squid Game” version of “Mouse Trap” into a lethal obstacle course competition, where players must maintain their pace to stay ahead of each subsequent trap. This would undoubtedly intensify the excitement to an entirely new level.

Squid Game is streaming on Netflix.

2025-01-01 22:10

Squid Game: I Need These 7 Crazy Kids Games to Be in the Remake