Operation Rescue Kit

Unlike some of the themed versions of the game (which are basically the same game as the original one we all played when we were kids only without the escapee from Mad Magazine to operated upon), this uses a computer chip to make the game, well, better.

There are now four different ways to play (all of which involve a timer).

• The easiest game does not stop your turn when you "nick" the patient. Instead, the computer simply docks you some points.

• The next game does lock you out after you "nick" your patient. And if you take too long, you'll have to spend some of your precious time giving him oxygen.

• The third game times players on how fast they can remove ALL of the offending organs.

• The final game randomly chooses a second player as a "specialist" to take over that particular bit of surgery if the active player nicks the patient.

Another nice touch is that the entire game is packaged in a folding case that looks like a medical kit and is about half the size of the original game.

As well, there are new organs to remove - oops, excuse me. The game calls them "funatomy." (I had my gall bladder removed last year - and at no point would I call it "funatomy.") Anyhoo, we now have "texter's thumb" and "video controller wrist" and a particularly insidious/difficult piece called "belly button fluff."

The only classic piece that's gone is the rubber band. Instead, you've now got a "twisted knee" piece that must be manipulated down a winding track to a place large enough to remove (near the foot). This is good, as my friends were always having to hunt down a new rubber band for their game.

Operation Rescue Kit plays cleanly, quickly, and the computer chip even keeps score for you. All in all, this is a lesson in how to take an old classic (that wasn't all that classic in terms of gameplay) and turn it into a very enjoyable little game.

Operation Rescue Kit is a bit pricey compared to the original game. Then again, the original Operation game makes me want to start stabbing people with the metal operating tweezers, so this is a big step up.

Operation Rescue Kit is for 2 to 4 players, ages 6 and up (I think it's appropriate for ages 5 and up). It is published by Milton Bradley / Hasbro.