I went thrifting on Polk Street last weekend, and came back with the most obnoxious game. It is called Lightening Reaction Xtreme, and it has been gleefully added to my collection of plastic toys that cause pain.

It looks like something from the film Barbarella: Curvy, modern, easily confused with a sex toy. And honestly, that’s what I thought it was when I saw it on the shelf. Sex toy in a thrift store (eww). I approached cautiously. But then a warning sticker caught my eye, Plastered right on the front of the thing, stating that it IS NOT A TOY. That it produces an electric shock! And that it is not recommended for elderly persons or pregnant women.

Price tag said five bones. I bought it immediately.

It runs off of just three AAA batteries, but don’t let that dampen your hopes. This little thing will shock the bejesus out of you. The game works as such. There are four metallic handles for up to four players that detach from the central unit, connected by curly wire. On each handle there is a button like on the top of a joystick, and on the central unit there is a button marked Xtreme which starts the game. You con some of your more adventurous friends into playing that will test their reflexes, then you press the Xtreme button.

Now the game is on. The central button glows red while ominous music repeats an untold count. Finally, the button glows green and a terminal buzzer sounds, signaling the moment of truth. Now everyone holding a handle tries in a split second to push their button first. Whoever succeeds, is rewarded by seeing all their friends jump out of their chairs trying desperately to release the electrified handle they are clutching.

I will put the warning out there that this game is not for everybody (even if you aren’t pregnant or elderly). Some people just don’t like getting shocked ever, and it is not going to be fun for them. But if you accidentally run into one of these people, the jolt isn’t going to loose you a friend. But it may be less than a game to the occasional electrophobe.

That said, it is good clean fun for those with sharp reflexes and sadistic inclinations, and thrilling for those with slow reflexes and a slight masochistic bent. All told, I give this contraption Two Quivering Thumbs Up, although my wife would certainly disagree.