Punch Buggy - Variants

Variants

Some variations consider Volkswagen's 1998 reintroduction of the New Beetle invalid for game purposes but, as older models become more rare, variants may choose to include the new Beetles. In one version played in Newport Beach, Los Angels and other Southern California cities, the game is played where any color gets one punch. However, Yellow, Orange or lightly tinged punchbugs earn 2 punches, followed by "Cheddar"(e.g Punchbuggy Cheddar). Others allow "classic" bugs to count for two punches. One author suggests similar games with station wagons, convertibles, trucks and buses. Another variant played mainly in the United Kingdom is "Yellow Car," a game in which participants call out that phrase whilst punching other members of their group in the arm upon seeing a yellow coloured vehicle (which are said to be one of the rarer car colors, compared to red or black, for example). Yet another variant allows a convertible to count for two punches. A "non-physical" variation of the game, called "Beetle," simply awards the participants points for spotting Beetles driving by. Games of this type have been suggested for use in helping to engage autistic children during car rides. Another variant involves the person who first-sees the car to proclaim "Punch buggy (color), no punch back!" to someone in the car, and punch them in the arm. This would then prompt the person who got hit to punch someone else in the arm, and so on and so forth. The person who would run out of people to punch would subsequently receive the title of "loser" of the game. Another variation is to call out "Slug bug" and then continuously pummel the other player(s) until they spot the bug and call out its color.

Further variations of the game also include "Slap Kombi" and "Pinch Mini." Participants can either slap or pinch other members upon seeing a Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi panel van or a Morris Mini-Minor and its modern equivalents. It is generally a requirement to call the colour of the vehicle before committing the physical action of slapping or pinching. For example, the first person to see a white Kombi van calls out "Slap Kombi White" and then proceeds to lightly slap the other person on the arm. A nonviolent game is often used by parents, known as "touch bug".