Pictionary Tin
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list price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

This special edition of the "game of quick draw" comes in this large,pencil-shaped collector's tin for two reasons: to hold the Pictionary game instyle, and so faithful players can enjoy the game for years without having totape together the oft-used container. If you can draw--at least a littlebit--you'll have fun with Pictionary. If you can draw a figure others canrecognize within 60 seconds, you could win. Team members guess thesketches (which could be places, people, objects, animals, or events) and workagainst the timer (and perhaps someone's poor drawing skill) to beat theopposing team. Included in the tin are Pictionary essentials--a 60-secondhourglass, a die, 308 clue cards, and four drawing pads. And for this editiononly, 25 decade-themed bonus cards, metallic-finished movers, and foil-stampedpencils are included. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Lifetime
I play this game with my friends all the time. The Pictionary Tin is a great value because it will last much longer and it looks nicer. The Tin also comes with a few extras. When you play this game you will have a lot of fun. ... Read more

Asin: B00005JG35

Monopoly Deluxe Edition
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $20.99
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Editorial Review

Sure, this real estate trading game has been the world's most popular board game for more than six decades, but what makes this edition "deluxe"? For one thing, it brings back the sturdywooden (not plastic) houses and hotels of years gone by. It also features an extra gold-colored train token, a handy holder for the Title Deed cards, and a banker's tray to keep your cash on hand. The cash, Community Chest, and Chance cards are all newly redesigned. And the 19-inch-by-19-inch board is stamped with a golden "Deluxe" arch. Featuring the original Atlantic Citylandmarks like Boardwalk and Park Place, this version is for the serious Monopoly lovers on your gift list.For further perspective on Monopoly, you can read about it in The Greatest Games of All Time and New Rules for Classic Games.--Rebecca Hughes ... Read more

Features

• This spiffed up version of the classic game includes wooden houses and hotels, golden tokens, title deed carousel, bankers tray, and deluxe graphics.
• MONOPOLY®, the distinctive design of the gameboard, the four corner squares, as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board, the playing pieces and the RICH UNCLE PENNYBAGS name and character are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment.

Reviews (48)

OVERPRICED, CHEAPLY MANUFACTURED AND DISAPPOINTING

The only thing "Deluxe" about this addition is the glossy foil cover of the box, which is designed to make you think you are getting something special by paying more money.

Nothing could be further from the truth. This edition screams "CHEAP" from the second the lid comes off.

Let's go thru the hype above and set the record straight on all the "Deluxe" features:

The board is a quad-fold affair, redesigned presumably to allow a smaller, less expensive box. It has much less rigidity than the single-fold board of the "classic" version. When it is left out for an extended period of time, especially overnite, the ends of the board curl up and refuses to lay flat.

The houses and hotels are completely featureless, just small blocks of wood. They looked to be dipped in some type of vegetable dye rather than painted. This is probably an attempt to eek out a few extra cents of corporate profit.

The "bankers tray" and "property wheel" are flimsy plastic jokes. Neither would last under play by children much more than a few games.

This edition is a sad legacy to a great game, and the cheapness of the set detracts from the joy of play. For the additional cost, all you are really getting is the fancy foil cover and one extra play token, plus a board that curls up at the edges: Whoopee!

My advice: Save the extra money and buy the "classic" version.

GREAT
This is a great game.The new box is nice because it's smaller, so it takes up less space.There's a nice money-holder, and little places for pieces and hotels, and even enough room for all of your old pieces and hotels (2 other boards worth).Places to store property cards and everything.The comm. chest kind of cards are a little flimsier, but that's why you use the old ones you have until they wear out.Games aren't supposed to last forever.If you want something that will, don't expect to pay 18 bucks.A haircut costs more than that, and it only lasts a week.Enjoy what it is.

M. Deluxe
Monopoly Deluxe is the best because it is the perfect board game! The box and the 2 blue cases inside are perfect because they don't tear easily. What about the things in the cases? Well, there are a lot of money in one of them, the chance and the (I forgot what those other small cards were called)are with the money and so are the cards for the places. The other case is for when you start playing, it's the bank. You will put the money in that and there are playing tokens, houses and hotels, and a special place where the dice goes. It is the best! Everything about it is perfect if you want to play during your family game nights! If you do buy it, I'm sure you won't regret it! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWCU
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Classic Games   

Scattergories
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $25.99
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Editorial Review

Scattergories is a fast-paced word game that's a real crowd pleaser. Each player takes a categorylist with 12 categories--such as vegetable, state, president, things you throw away--and must write down thename of one item that fits into each category. Sounds easy enough, but each item has to begin with aspecific letter that is determined when the 20-sided die is rolled. For instance, you roll the letter "R." Youranswer list for the above categories might look something like this: rutabaga, Rhode Island, Roosevelt,rubbish, etc. You have to think fast, because a round lasts only 3 minutes! Players score points for eachunique answer. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Features

• Think fast to come up with words all beginning with a specific letter.
• Includes 6 folders and 48 category cards
• 2 to 6 players
• Adults

Reviews (63)

Good for quick-thinking players
Scattegories is so much fun! Even though it's a word-based game, you don't need a huge vocabulary to play. The categories are pretty well-known and general. The hard part is coming up with the right word in time!

To play Scattegories you choose one of 12 different games, each with 10 separate categories. So the categories in one game might be, for example:

* Things you find at the beach
* Famous people

And so on for 10 in total. You then roll a die that has letters of the alphabet on it to determine which letter all of your answers have to start with - and no repeating words in the same game! You get bonus points for multiple word answers that all start with the chosen letter. For example an answer for "Famous people" might be Ronald Reagan (2 points). Like I said before, there's a lot more pressure when you can hear the timer ticking down! Whoever gets the most points wins the game. Sometimes it's fun to make up words and see if you can get everyone else to believe you.

Scattegories is an easy game for almost anyone who can read and write. It's good with groups or just two people. You can even play it over the phone if you really want to. Highly recommended for people who like board or word games.

Great in Teams!
I'm always intrigued when I read of folks playing this game as individuals . . . I've only played it with teams (usually of 3 players each).

I host a potluck dinner and "game night" at my home every couple of months . . . sometimes a mixed group of singles and couples, sometimes friends bring their children, sometimes just a group of women friends . . . after dinner and chat we move on to the game for the evening . . . we have tried several different games, but have settled on Scattergories as one of our favorites --- it is easy to play in teams and the answers are creative and fun (with few blank spots when the timer stops!)

Each team designates one person to write while all the team comes up with answers . . . some teams have one person start at the bottom of the list while another starts at the top and they meet in the middle . . . we have found that with team play some like to move away from the table for the fill in portion of the game (into the family room, out onto the deck, etc.).

What's great about this game is that it's fun to play with all ages . . . the kids get to see adults having fun (and not taking themselves too seriously) everyone gets to play and no one is ever made to feel foolish or stupid.Even friends who think that they don't like to play games because they aren't competitive enough have enjoyed this game when played in a team.

Even people who don't like to play games like this one!
There are a few people in our extended family who simply don't enjoy playing board games or even party games of any type.However, these same people have loved playing Scattergories.It is simple in concept but challenging to the intellect.Also, it just ends up being hilarious to hear the answers that people come up with.This is the game our family has enjoyed playing more than any other game.

A must have for your game collection! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWEP
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Party Games    5. Family Favorites    6. Grownup   

Cribbage Board 4 Track
Average Customer Review:
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-- our price: $29.99
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Reviews (2)

Cribbage as usual, or with delightful variations
This FOUR TRACK cribbage board lets you play any number of variations on the game.Two-player: just use two of the tracks to complete your game.

Three-player:The simplest way is for all 3 players to have their own game and use three tracks (deal 5 cards to each player and an additional single card to the kitty).Much more fun is to have two people team up against one (who is called "the captain").The team of 2 players plays on a single track, and the captain plays on another track.The captain deals first (and gets the first kitty), each person gets *5* cards, not 6, and the captain deals an additional single card into the kitty.The captain only has to reach 60 points (half-way around the board), while the other 2 players, who team up against the captain, have to get all the way around the board, or 120 points.Teaming up in cribbage allows players to set one another up for 15s and runs for increased pegging, which the captain gets an advantage by getting the first kitty.

Four-player cribbage:Each player gets only 5 cards, choosing one to put in the kitty.The 4 players can either play on their own tracks, competing alone, or they can partner, competing in teams.

This board lets you do ALL these variations, and also has spaces to mark games won, as well as games where you "skunked" the opponents (i.e. they were nowhere near the finish line when you crossed it).

My parents taught my brothers and I Cribbage, Pinochle, 500, Hearts and other card games before we were 10.30 years later, we are still playing them together!I am buying this new 4-track board for my family, knowing that it once it is opened on Christmas morning that the roast will burn, the phone will go unanswered, the TV will stay off, and we will sit and laugh and talk and skunk each other for hours.

Great game for teaching math and strategy
Not enough kids get taught games like Cribbage, I highly recommend it over some of the fancier board gamesthat sell based upon an appeal that soon disappears.

Cribbage is a great game, played with a standard deck of cards and although it's got lots of strategy and thinking, it's simple enough that most 8 to 10 year olds should be able to pick it up with a patient teacher.

This is a two player game, so it's not for parties or family game night, but it's a really good game and lots of fun. ... Read more

Asin: B00005O71A
Sales Rank: 6150
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Strategy Games    4. Family Favorites    5. Activity    6. Cards   

Life Cllctrs Edition
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Editorial Review

Board games go through a few steps on the road to immortality:from idea to published game, maybe a decent review in Gamesmagazine, inclusion in their annual Top 100, perhaps evenretirement to its Hall of Fame. But when they package a "Collector'sEdition" in a 10.5-inch-square metal tin, that game has arrived.So it is that the Game of Life, that topographical trek from "College"to "Millionaire Estates" with stops for home buying, baby rearing,taxes, night school, and career changes, joins the rarified iron-cladworld of Clue, UNO, and Monopoly special editions. All the familiarsare intact here: a colorful folding two-piece board with mountains andbuildings in relief, the patented number spinner, complete rules andequipment, and of course the car tokens fashioned of die-cast metal,which fit the tiny pink and blue people pegs. There's also a nifty"Life" lesson: pay careful attention as you empty the tin; fitting itall back in could take years off yours. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Get a Life
I was highly disappointed to find out I did not buy "The Game of Life"; what I did buy was a garbeage re-make of a one-time favorite game.If you like the original, go and find an original.This is a watered-down, no offense, travesty of a game.The career "options" aspect of the game doesn't even make sense.If you want a different game than the original, get this game, you may enjoy it.Just remember, the only thing that is the same as the original is the name.

LIFEless, succorless pap
This game does not teach any life lessons, as the older (1960s) version did. You never worry about getting poor, or making errors, because everything always turns out well in this politically-correct version that dumbs down our children.
Don't buy it. Get the older version on internet auction, yard sale or thrift store. It's much more fun and educational. Hasbro, are you listening?
Durability: This is as durable as any other board game. No real complaints in that department.

Realistic in its own sense
It is realistic because of how life can take real surprising turns i like this game and play it often. ... Read more

Asin: B00004YT28
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites   

Mancala Board Game
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $11.99 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

The word mancala means "to transfer" in Arabic, and different versions of this deceptively simple strategy game are played all around the world. Each of the 12 pits contains 4 "seeds" or stones. The player chooses one pit from which to "sow" the seeds. All the stones from that pit are placed one by one into the successive pits, counterclockwise around the board. The game ends when all of the pits on one side of the board are empty; the winner is the player with the most stones. This set features a oak-finish wood board with artificial gemstone playing pieces. --S.J. Kurtz ... Read more

Reviews (29)

THEGREATEST
ILOVETHIS GAMEEVENTHOUGHIDONTHAVEIT.IKNOWILIKEITBECAUSEMYFRIENDSATSCHOOLHAVEITI'MIN4THGRADEIAM9YRS.THISISFUNBUTITREQUIERESMATHWICHILOVEIRECOMMENDTHISTOWHOEVERWANTSTOBUYIT.

Tara Sadr's Review
I don't have this game at home,but I do at school. All the girls like playing. I am thinking to get one for myself but I keep thinking that I won't play with it anymore. I wish this could be 5.00 dollars instead of ten. Whenever I go to toysrus, I always look at it. So I am going to buy it and you should too.

Excellent Game for ALL Ages (Except for marble eaters)
This isn't really for any specific age group. As long as no one eats the pieces, it's great for anyone. It's simple, as soon as you understand the basic rules.
What you have to do is try to get the most marbles in your slot. You pick up the pieces, keep going until they run out, then pick marbles from the next pile, then keep going until there's a blank space or you land on your slot. (In which you'd get a free turn, and if it's on a blank space on your side, you get whatever marbles are on the opposite hole.)
It does sound confusing, but you'll catch on quickly. You can buy these sets for $5 easily (I did) and they're really nice-looking too. Play by yourself and develop never-go-wrong strategies, like I did. It's a surefire plan to make you win!
I completely recommend this game ALL THE WAY. I don't really know what educational values it has, but it's super fun! ... Read more

Asin: B00000JD4Q
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Classic Games    4. Strategy Games    5. Wood   

UNO Attack Game
Average Customer Review:
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list price: $20.99 -- our price: $20.99
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Editorial Review

UNO, America's No. 1-selling card game, has a whole new twist. You'll still encounter all theelements that make UNO so unpredictable and challenging, but add to that a motorized card launcher thatshows no mercy and you've got UNO Attack. The object of the game is still to get rid of all your cards. TheUNO command cards direct the game by telling players when to trade hands, discard, reverse the playingorder, or skip a player. Beware the dreaded Hit command, though, as this translates into a game of Russianroulette. You never know when the card launcher is going to fire off a stream of UNO cards just for you! For2 to 10 players. Requires three C batteries (not included). --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (102)

A Random, Rapid-Fire Card Shoot-Out!
Our family is into playing games. Before the girls got older and went out with friends on Friday nights, we had a family night where we all played games together and had a blast. Few games could hold our interest for long and Uno Card Game was one of those. We liked it, but it was the same thing and the deck of cards was relegated to the closet shelf to be pulled out every six months or so.

Then my youngest (she's 11) came home from a sleep over and raved about a new game called Uno Attack. I have to admit that at first I shrugged it off thinking it was a new name to the same old card game and a marketing ploy by Mattel to get people to continue to buy their product. I smiled, sort of listened, and said, "We'll see" when she asked if we could buy this game. But my child remembers everything and waited until the opportune moment to remind me of my "We'll see" remark.

As we were strolling through our local Target store, a box was handed to me.

I blinked and asked, "What is this?"
"Uno Attack. You said we could get it."
"No, I said I'd think about it."
"Well look at how much fun it is. Come on Mom, you're gonna love this game."

So I looked at the box. "Mattel has added motorized action and surprise to the classic Uno card game." Hmmm... Ok, so it wasn't a new name to a deck of cards, it now had a handy-dandy motorized card launcher. My curiosity took over - just how did that card launcher work, anyway? Hey, it was only $ 15.00, so I tossed it in the shopping cart and made my daughter very happy.

We played that night and have since enjoyed this game many other nights. And I have to admit that I probably have the most fun playing it. It's the same premise as the card game, except there are a few new twists. There are 112 cards (18 Blue cards - 1 to 9, 18 Green cards - 1 to 9, 18 Red cards - 1 to 9, 18 Yellow cards - 1 to 9, 8 Hit 2 cards - 2 in each color, 8 Reverse cards - 2 in each color, 8 Skip cards - 2 in each color, 4 Discard All cards - 1 each in each color, 4 Trade Hands cards - 1 each color, 4 Wild cards, 2 Wild All-Hit cards and 2 Wild Hit-Fire cards (cards in bold are distinctive to this game and not the regular Uno Card Game).

Trade Hands cards are just that - you get to switch hands with the person of your choice (perfect for when you have 20 cards and an opponent has 3 cards). Wild All-Hit cards means everyone else must push the button on the card launcher and hope that it doesn't toss tons of cards at them (difficult for the person laying down this card not to smile and rub it in!). The Wild Hit-Fire cards are the most fun. You place that down and the next person must push the button on the card launcher until cards are tossed at him/her. You know they're gonna come out, but you don't know how many pushes you'll have before they do, or if you'll get one card or many.

The cards in the launcher are the "draw pile" and the launcher is spun around to face the person who must draw. And it's never the same number of cards being dispensed. I cannot stop giggling every time that launcher heaves cards at people, myself included. Ok, so I'm easily amused, but it really is funny to watch the faces people make when they push that button.

Now the downside to this game: It eats batteries! It takes 3 size C batteries and these must be replaced every few games or the launcher doesn't work properly. You might want to consider rechargeable batteries. The launcher is made out of sturdy plastic, but you still need to be careful with it.

We've taken this game with us to a Basketball All-Star tournament and had about 10 kids in our hotel room playing. I've heard from a few parents of those girls that they too have since purchased this game (including the coach who says it's now his favorite game of all time!). It's very addicting.

Great twist to UNO!
THE PLUS:We have got 5 kids old enough to play UNO, and it is hard to keep them entertained, until we bought this!It is fun!You never know if you're gonna get no cards or 20.We play this all of the time and would never give it up.

THE BAD:It takes a little more maintenance than you would want a game to take.The rubber wheels need to be wiped with alcohol so it will shoot the cards out better.Also, we change our batteries at least once a week to get maximum shootage!But during normal gameplay you have to rearrange the cards because they slip, alot, and don't shoot out when they are supposed to.But it is worth it.

never worked - don't waste your money
Our family enjoys the traditional uno so I thought this would be an exciting twist. NOT.The thing never worked.Cards don't come out.It even has a disclaimer to say that cards don't come out every time - more like they never came out.It goes BEEP WHHRRRR..then nothing. We tried like crazy to get the thing to work! Ended up throwing it away.Do not recommend.We went back to the simple deck of Uno Cards. ... Read more

Asin: B0000205XH
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Cards   

Skip-Bo
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $7.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

A member of Mattel's popular family of Uno card games, Skip-Boresembles speed (or spit) in the same way that Uno takes after crazyeights. Out of a 162-card deck, two to six players are each dealt20-card "stockpiles"; the first one to deplete their pile wins. Competingeither alone or in teams, players draw from a central pile and stacktheir cards sequentially onto one of four "build" piles (for example,an eight onto a seven, a three onto a two), using plentiful Skip-Bowild cards to break up static situations. Deceptively simple andingeniously designed, this classic game offers plenty of strategizingopportunities, or it can just make a nice backdrop to socializing andmunching on potato chips. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Excellentfor adults
It's a type of game that even dough is for children, we as adults enjoy more than them.Four players is what i recommend for this toy.So if you plan to have fun with your friends put this on the bag.

An Excellent Alternative To Solitaire
I love this game! I first played it in the late 90s, introduced to me, and I love it. I do love Solitaire, but this is a refreshing alternative. I give this game a perfect 10! I recommend this highly!

Teeni-Anne

Great Game!
Our whole family loves this game. Even my 3 year old can play. It is a fun game to play on family game night or when you are just bored. You only have to have two people to play. This game is worth it's price! ... Read more

Asin: B0000205XI
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Cards    3. Fast Flipping    4. Playing Cards   

Cranium Tin Edition
Average Customer Review:
Toy (06 December, 2002)
list price: $39.99 -- our price: $34.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (4)

OMG! The Best Game Ever!!!
i played this game for the first time with friends...after that i was begging my fiance to get it finally she caved and we cant put it down!great with friends!

Great Game.Something for Everyone.
We played this at Christmas with family and then had to go out and buy our own set.It is a perfect blend of game themes/styles.We have played it with people as young as 8 years old and they had fun as well.It is played with teams so everyone gets to feel included.:)A great buy.

Review for Cranium
My husband and I received 'Cranium' as a wedding present from a friend.One evening we had some friends over and we opened up the game and started playing... we LOVED it!It's a perfect mixture of Pictionary, Balderdash, Charades, Trival Pursuit and many others!My personal favorite is "Humdinger."It's the part of the game where a team member needs to hum or whistle a song that's on the card.The game is very entertaining and is guarenteed to get you laughing! ... Read more

Asin: B00006DY0W
Sales Rank: 6620
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Brain Games    5. Party Games    6. Grownup   

Yahtzee Deluxe Edition
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $16.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Yahtzee has been called America's favorite dice game and, with tattered boxes closeted in homes across the nation, that claim is not hard to believe. Put five dice in a shaker, mix in strategy, add luck, stir--then let the fun begin! So how do you improve on something this good? By sprucing it up.Yahtzee Deluxe is aglitter with sparking dice, a velvet-lined playing tray, a sturdy cushioned shaker that has the feel of soft leather, and detailed score cards that make totaling points easier than ever. The detailed instruction booklet even includes a section on the history of dice. The plush playing surface is set inside a light plastic frame that seems a trifle small, but this is a minor complaint. As a handsome replacement for an old, faded game, or a brand-new source of family fun, Yahtzee Deluxe offers the same excitement that has been entertaining players since it was first released in 1956. --George Laney ... Read more

Features

• The classic shake and score dice game - Yahtzee Deluxe Edition. Gold glitter dice, flocked dice tray, leatherette dice cup, giant scoring chips.
• A real treat for YAHTZEE connoisseurs! Shake 5 clear, golden-flecked dice in the plush cup.
• Roll them into the sleek, felt-lined tray. Place "keepers" in the handy dice holders.
• If you roll a bonus yahtzee, take an exclusive token. Keep score with Deluxe yahtzee pencils.
• For elegance and style, you just can't play a better game of yahtzee. Ages: 8 and Up , 1 or More Players

Reviews (19)

Pathetic
The tray is beyond pathetic. Do not buy this. It's criminal that is proudly labelled as DELUXE. A waste of money. An embarrassment. A cheat.

The best Yahtzee ever!
This is a great value and we have enjoyed many hours entertainment from this simple FUN game.

Yahtzee Review
This game is loads of fun.I got it for my eighth birthday.I thought to myself "Oh, it's one of those stupid board games again," but it wasn't.I'm 10 now, and I'm still playing with Yahtzee.I like it because of how much thinking is involved, and you have to make impartant decisions, like "Hmm...should I put my score in 4 of a kind, or in my fours up top?"That skill can also help you along the way in school.But you know what, most games that are educational can be boring.But not Yahtzee!Yahtzee is also fun because of the excitement in you while hoping to get a Yahtzee, which is worth fifty points, which is the most points you can get.And you always feel happy when you roll something that you know is good!Now, I don't have the Deluxe Edidtion of Yahtzee, but I'm sure that if I liked the regular Yahtzee, the Delexe Edition would be even better.I hope you order this game soon.And for those of you out there who don't want to buy Yahtzee, because you think you are too cool or too old for it, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBL
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Classic Games