One Trip Nick: Spectacular Falls Without Style
Balance an assortment of random items to help a teetering character carry everything home at once with One Trip Nick.
Last month, my friend introduced me to One Trip Nick. I’m not usually one who enjoys dexterity challenges, particularly of the kind involving balancing components. Yet I laughed so much, I went out and bought a copy to try out solo! It’s certainly more of a group activity, but I feel like I discovered an absolutely silly and nonsensical balance game I can always enjoy!
Game Overview
Game Name: One Trip Nick
Publication Year: 2025
Designer: Uncredited
Artist: Uncredited
Publisher: Brass Monkey
Solo Mode: None (High Score)
Uh-oh, Nick! This character stands on a rocking base, and the goal is to balance as many objects before he takes a trip… Straight down to the table. Ha! A timer can be used to add to the challenge, or it can be an enjoyable and slow experience of trying to figure out the weights and angles to help Nick.
First Play
April 19, 2026
Complexity
1
Latest Play
April 19, 2025
Expansions
0
Setup Time
Almost None
Lifetime Plays
8
Play Time
5 Minutes
High Score
14
Game Area
10" x 10"
Low Score
5
Stacking Up to the Sky
There are a bunch of different items to choose from, ranging from some standard shopping bags and crates to a hockey stick. And don’t forget the baby… Need to balance it all!
Physics is the most crucial skill, yet I had a great time just putting things wherever and laughing when I failed.
The wooden components are very thick, and I even doubt if the hockey stick could be damaged from all the falling.
I had thought to set a timer, yet since I tend to get flustered, it wasn’t the ideal way for me to play. All I wanted was a funny little activity with some skill. Pretty sure I found it!
Fall DOwn, Go Boom!
This right here is the typical assortment after Nick loses his balance and everything comes crashing down. Whoops!
Maybe it wasn’t wise to try balancing a huge potted cactus without a supporting structure underneath. I had to try!
I learned a little more as I played, although I’m pretty sure there isn’t a surefire way to win. The multiplayer rules include an option to assign the next object to place.
That might be a nice challenge as I continue to play. But for this session, I was simply happy to try my best to get all 18 objects balanced atop the ever-suffering Nick. Ha ha!
The Greatest Balancing
Look at me go! This was my best attempt, where I got 14 of 18 objects atop Nick before things went poorly and there was nowhere else to go. Precarious, yet it was sturdy!
I don’t have a lot of experience with balance games, mostly because I tend to hate that moment when things come crashing down in a torrent of noise and horror.
Yet here, I found myself laughing! Nick’s facial expression absorbed all the stress, and I came up with little stories.
There wasn’t much pressure. I got back to that wonderful concept of simple fun, without worrying about too much.
Hockey Stick Lessons
A-ha! I liked the variety in the objects, as this gave me a fun way to experiment with different stacks. I kept slotting the hockey stick on top of Nick’s arm, but then I thought…
It formed the perfect extra platform! Not that I perfected it, because immediately after this photo, everything fell down in a spectacular heap with Nick nervously looking at me.
Well, why are you trying to carry all of this stuff, Nick?! I don’t think he heard of a wagon or shopping cart. Ha ha!
All in good fun, and with my gaming mat, the noises of the crashes were muffled and rather calm. Thank goodness.
One Trip Nick and One Trip Jessica
In the world’s most amazing moment of foreshadowing, I played this less than a week before I took a literal trip and ended up like Nick… Only worse. This was played eerily close to the moment when my work boots betrayed me with a snagged shoelace situation. There was a spectacular trip, indeed, with zero balance. But unlike Nick, my trip resulted in a fracture.
No worries: I’m on the mend! Doing pretty well overall, although an elbow fracture is something I do not recommend. I tend to heal better when I’m laughing, though, so this seemed all too fitting. I told way too many people about this game and how it mirrored what happened to me. At least Nick over here doesn’t have to worry about getting injured. He’s sturdy!
I’ll likely have more of a connection to this game than I normally would due to this coincidence. That’s often the case with some games, though, which makes the hobby great! Timing can be everything. As I’ve recommended to everyone over the last couple of weeks, be sure to avoid tripping and landing directly on your elbow. Be like Nick: Control that fall. Ha ha!
Calico Critters Rescue
With all of the fun I was having, it was pretty clear that I would have some adorable visitors. This assortment of Calico Critters stopped by to marvel at all the balancing fun!
But a rescue operation was soon underway when a little rabbit dressed up like a piece of popcorn popped right up to Nick’s shoulder. Don’t fall! There was even a baby up there!
A ladder was soon procured as everyone told Nick not to move. We all had to wonder about the weight distribution.
No damage done! The exciting day of climbing was at an end as everyone kept their paws safely on the ground.
Too Fun to Avoid
Oh, goodness. After launching the rescue effort, I noticed that my lone mustached Calico Critter was nowhere to be found. Everyone was put away except for him… Hello? Hello?
I discovered Nick putting up his arms in a defeated pose as I came upon the sight of this proud rabbit creating his own balancing act. With the baby?! Such dangerous times. Ha!
This rescue effort resulted in safe dismounts for everyone. I better keep an eye on these troublemakers from now on.
Just a fantastic session! This is a very silly balance game, but one I’m so glad I stumbled across… Or tripped over? Ha ha!
Session Overview
Play Number: 1-8
Solo Mode: None (High Score)
Outcome: 10, 14, 5, 8, 8, 9, 8, 10 (8 Losses)
I was on the right track a few times, but balancing all of the objects proved to be a tricky puzzle. I loved it! This one resonated with me due to all of the laughs and the pure absurdity, which aligns with a lot of what I enjoy. It was rather unfortunate that I tripped in real life after this, but at least I’ll never forget this silly coincidence! Balancing all 18 objects is going to be a difficult challenge that I look forward to trying to achieve someday. Don’t trip and fall!
%
1 Play
Affordability
Price & Value
10
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
5
Quality
Components & Rules
10
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
9
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
3
+ Pros (Positives)
- There is a silly and nonsensical theme that adds to the enjoyment and feels like it limits the overall tension.
- Balance games can be inherently stressful, yet this one isn’t too difficult to stack a decent number of items.
- The component quality is excellent with thick wooden pieces that don’t feel like they’ll break from falling down.
- Different item shapes and weights offer an interesting challenge that can be fun to puzzle through each time.
- Although not designed for solo, adding a timer or randomly choosing the next object can provide more options.
- Cleverly stacking some objects takes practice, yet there isn’t necessarily a single way to balance everything.
– Cons (Negatives)
- Variety certainly exists, but gameplay can become repetitive after Nick falls down a few times in quick succession.
- The perfectly balanced state can be easy to upset, even when not making contact with any of the components.
- A gaming mat can help, but the thick wooden components can be a bit loud and noisy when they all fall down.
- Manual dexterity is required to balance the objects, which may not be possible or desirable for some players.
Victory Conditions
Score 18 Points
- Overall Goal Progress 67%
Goals and Milestones
Score at least 10 points.
Score at least 14 points.
Score the perfect 18 points.
Continue the Conversation
Have you played One Trip Nick? Are there any other balance or dexterity games you enjoy playing solo? This one went outside of my usual comfort zone, and I’m so grateful for that! Its blend of balance and nonsense works wonderfully for my sense of humor… And I’ll never forget how I turned into One Trip Jessica shortly after playing. Some great memories. Ha ha!
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