Pictionary: The Game of Video Quick Draw Overview
Pictionary - The Game of Video Quick Draw adapts the board game's concept of guessing words or phrases from drawings into a video game format for the NES. It supports multiplayer competition for up to four teams of any size, who take turns in an effort to be the first to reach the final square on a shared game board.
Success depends on a team correctly identifying a clue from a partially revealed drawing. A correct guess allows that team to roll dice and advance, while a failure passes the opportunity to the opposing team. The game offers three distinct modes: a regular competitive game, an alternative mode focused on freehand drawing, and a solitary drawing practice mode without time constraints.
The primary gameplay loop involves revealing segments of one of over 500 hidden drawings, each composed of 48 pieces. Instead of drawing freehand, players in the regular mode complete one of four timed minigames to uncover these pieces. The specific minigame is determined by the color of the board square a team occupies.
These minigames present varied challenging tasks that directly impact the rate of revelation. Objectives include shooting descending aliens, stacking and transporting boxes while avoiding enemies, collecting spheres as an astronaut, and operating a net to catch falling people. Performance in these activities dictates how many drawing pieces are revealed and can also reduce the available time, adding a layer of pressure to each turn.