Jenga
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Show your steady hands and elementary structural knowledge in abattle against gravity when you play Jenga, a game of luck andprecision. First, assemble the 54 rectangular, hardwood blocks--smoothand shaped just right for stacking--into a three-piece-wide, 18-storytower. Then take turns removing the three-inch blocks one at time,using caution to keep the structure intact while stacking the removedpieces back on the top of the tower. As the tower rises, its basebegins to teeter--one wrong move and it collapses in a heap! Gameover.

Jenga allows adults to play architect and children to perfecttheir stacking skills and hand-eye coordination. There is no limit onthe number of participants--it can even be played solo. Butbeware: Jenga can be addictive. The instructions declare a 36-storystructure to be the mark of a real pro. How tall can you go? --CateBick ... Read more

Features

• The blockbuster of all stacking games with hardwood blocks. Pull out blocks, place them on top...don't topple the teetering tower! JENGA, JENGA, JENGA!
• Ages: 8 and Up. 1 or More Players. PLAY 1. The player who built the tower goes first. Play then continues to the left.
• 2. On your turn, carefully remove a block from anywhere BELOW the highest completed story Then stack it on top of the tower, at right angles to the blocks just below it. 3. Removing and Stacking Blocks Remove and stack one block per turn. To remove a block, use one hand at a time.
• You can switch hands whenever you wish. As play proceeds and the weight of the tower shifts, some blocks become looser than others and are easier to remove. You can touch other blocks to find a loose one - but if you move a block out of place, you must fix it (using one hand only) before touching another block.
• While stacking, always complete one 3 - block story before starting a higher one. 4. Your turn ends 10 seconds after you stack your block-or as soon as the player to your left touches a block. 5. Keep removing and stacking blocks until the tower falls.

Reviews (34)

Jenga
This game is really cool! I played it in school a few times. It is a little hard putting the 54 blocks into the box. So, my friends help me. When you play Jenga on the table and it falls, it's really loud. We don't know how to win but it is cool. It's oodles of fun. I must have it!- Cristian Mojica, Age 9

Easy to learn, hard to master!!!
In this era of mobile PSPs, x-boxes and gamecubes, a classic game like Jenga not only continues to survive, but thrive!

My first experience was with my 2 nieces. I had never seen them before and since it always snows in MI, we couldn't go out. To break the awkward silence and pass time, my 4 year old pulled this tower of fun out. For next several hours we played this awsome game and bonded with each other. It was most fun I had with kids.

Ok, now the specifics. The game works by first arranging all pieces to make a tower and then making each person pull out one piece at a time and put it on the top of the tower. Simple huh?
Well as I said it is easy to learn but the idea is to select a piece that can be pulled out without causing a collapse and this is where men are separated from boys (and boys usually win!).
You can actually learn to strategize your game and pull each piece in a sequence to make your tower taller.
Each piece is made of wood and has the right size, finish and weight to support quite a bit of weight.
If you are looking for a game that doesn't entail mindless button pushing or shooting those ugly monstors on tv screen, go for this one. Your kids will love it and hopefully you too!

Great for the whole family
Chenga is a great game for the whole family.Any family member old enough to understand the idea of trying not to knock down the tower is old enough to play, which usually means anyone over three.There is a good deal of skill for children to learn about being slow, calm, and careful when pulling and placing pieces, which makes this game very educational, at least in the sense of learning self-mastery.The game is also fun and suspenseful, as each time someone takes a turn, everyone hold their breath a little while they wait to see if the tower will fall.A super-nice feature of Chenga is that it allows the entire family to play the same game, without subjecting older members to silly baby games like Candy Land (which is nice, but gets old).And best of all, Chenga is great value for money.This is a game that doesn't cost much to begin with, is super-durable (almost impossible to break), and is unlikely to be out-grown at any time. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBE
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Party Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Board Games   

Pictionary - The Game of Quick Draw
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $25.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Can you draw a cat? How about sketching something that conveys the word area or The English Patient? Can you do it in less than 60 seconds while your team yells the wrong answers at you and the other team is close to getting it right? Welcome to the game of Pictionary, in which players attempt to guess words from sketches made by other members of their team. The words can be objects, people, actions, places, animals, or the dreaded "difficult," although in the heat of an exciting game, even house can be difficult. Word cards are randomly selected, the timer is activated, and players begin scribbling franticly as they race to beat the clock. Correct answers are rewarded with a toss of the die and progression around the board toward victory. Pictionary veterans should note that this is an updated edition of the game, including more than 1,000 new words to challenge even the most experienced quick-draw artist. Pencils, sketchpads, and a 60-second timer are included. Pictionary is for four or more players. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Features

• The Classic Game of Quick Draw-- with more than 2,800 words to guess!
• Get your teammates to guess the secret word before your time is up!
• Includes challenge die with fun game variations!
• For 3 or more players.
• Ages 12 to adult. contents: gameboard, one-minute timer, 324 cards including 4 category cards, 4 movers, 4 pencils, 4 pads of paper, card holder and standard die plus challenge die.

Reviews (30)

Fun for non-artists too
The thing I love about Pictionary - apart from laughing at the crazy drawings people come up with - is that you don't have to be a great artist to win. That's good for me, I can tell you! You see, it's not so much how *well* you can draw, but more how well you can get a point across in *what* you draw. I've seen people guess the right answer from some pretty simple line drawings. In fact, you'll be amazed at how some partners seem to almost sense what the answer is.

I'm sure most people know how the game is played, but just in case, here's the gist:

There are several categories that come up randomly as you progress around the Pictionary board. Sometimes one person from each team draws (we make this rule apply all the time); otherwise one person draws and their partner guesses what their drawing means. The first person to guess before the timer runs out wins the round and that team rolls to go again. That's basically it anyway.

I love this game and I highly recommend it for a good night of entertainment with friends and family.

One of my most prized posessions!
My friends and I have taken Pictionary to a whole new level.Most of the time it's guys against girls, and the men in my life have yet to win a game!This is a game for everyone, although I have found that the better you draw, the worse it is for you.Artists tend to take there time, and when you're faced against the timer...all bets are off!I would definitely recommend this game to anyone who likes to get together with friends and have a good time.

Blechy Blech
Before I begin to rant-get one thing straight. I LOVE BOARD GAMES!!! So you can imagine how bad this is, if someone like me, who owns at least 200 board games, despises it. This game is just plain stupid. Also, since I tend to get nervous when I'm on timer, hated the little hourglass, pouring sand into the bottom chamber. Please, don't throw away your hard-earned money, get yourself a fun and more worthwile game, like Trivial Pursuit, or Clue. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMBI
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Party Games    5. Family Favorites    6. Grownup   

Yahtzee Deluxe Edition
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $16.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

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   

Scattergories
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $25.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

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   

Trivial Pursuit Iv
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

It's become the high praise of the day: "I'd sure like to have her on my Trivial Pursuit team." Life is never dull when there are people around who know what baking ingredient, sprayed at high pressure, the U.S. Air Force replaced its toxic paint stripper with. Or what male body part Mademoiselle magazine found to be the favorite of most women. The object of the game is to show off one's general knowledge--that is, it's to move along a circular track, answering questions, and to collect colored wedges for correct answers in six categories: People and Places, Arts and Entertainment, History, Science and Nature, Sports and Leisure, and Wild Card. The game includes a 20-by-20-inch game board, question-and-answer cards in two card storage boxes, dice, six plastic tokens, and 36 scoring wedges. For two to six players or teams. (Still wondering about the answers to the above questions? Baking soda and eyes!) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A little easy
Could just be because I'm a child of the era, but I find this version a little bit too un-challenging for my tastes. Still fun though.

It's enjoyable -- but not quite as challenging.
This update to the Trivial Pursuit line attempts to modernize the questions -- and switches some of the traditional categories around in an effort to appeal to a broader audience. The "Arts and Literature" category is now gone, for example, swallowed up by a huge Entertainment section that skews heavily towards more "pop" references. Almost all the history questions are targeted at the latter half of this century -- making questions on things like American politics ludicrously easy for people who've been paying attention for the last two decades -- and "Science" is now less concerned with rare conditions and more interested in recent breakthroughs.

In other words, compared to the previous editions, this one will seem noticeably easier -- and much narrower in focus -- to real trivia hounds, but much more accessible to wider audiences. Given that this was a stated goal of the revision, however, it's no so much a problem as a "feature;" younger people used to feeling adrift in a sea of Baby Boomer references (like I was as a child) will probably appreciate many of the changes.

Fun
This game is fun, it gets your brain juices flowing, and you learn a lot from it! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IVZW
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Trivia   

Mille Bornes Collector's Edition
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

First published in 1962, Mille Bornes (pronounced "meelborn," French for "milestones") is an auto racing card game whoseobject, for each team of two players, is to be the first to complete aseries of 1,000-mile trips. Each player has a hand of six cards andpicks more in turn from a central pile. There are Distance, Hazard,Remedy, and Safety cards, each with various subgroupings, whichdetermine the course of play. This Collector's Edition reproduces theartwork of the original game. The set includes a car-shaped plasticcard tray, score sheets, instructions, and deck of 110 playing cardswith language in English and French. Bon voyage! --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Wracked my brain to recall name of wonderful pastime!
In 1962 my brother and his wife played this game with my husband and me.We had more time than money, as young couples often do, so really enjoyed the fun this wonderful game afforded.Although I tried to recall it's name and have been wondering about it since last month, suddenly it popped into my head.Voila!I'll buy 2, one for me and one for my brother, to introduce to our grandchildren!

Nothing
Mille Bornes is a fun game.Great for kids and adults.But there's absolutely nothing special about this special "collectors edition". You're paying $15 for a deck of cards and a flimsy plastic tray.[...]

A Genuine Family Game
Actually first released by Parker Brothers as "Touring" in the 1920s it went through several editions until it was released in 1960 in the French Mille Bornes version. I don't know if it was actually ever played in France, but it's been around in the US for close to 100 years.
A game where children can actually compete with adults on an equal footing - and they can play it on their own. I still enjoy it fifty years after my first game.
... Read more

Asin: B00004SDAP
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Classic Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Cards   

20th Annivers Ary Phase 10
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (21)

Similar to a card game
This is a take off of an old card game, the rules to which can be found, I believe, it Hoyles.However, like Uno (based on the card game Crazy Eights), it's easy and fun to have a special deck and basic instructions printed out for everyone to follow.

It's got some similarities to rummy, you go for runs and sets, but the trick is you have to acomplish 10 "phases" thus the name.

This is a fun family or party game and can be played with kids and grownups together.

best family game
We love this game and have loved it for many years.
currently my children are 12 and 13
It is a game that both children and adults can enjoy.
small easy to take on trips.
great card beginning game, pre rummy, hearts etc

fun for kids, college students and grandparents
phase 10 is probably the best card game ever invented. i don't know how many nights i stayed up until 3am playing this game in college. you can play it in a group of any size; the more the better. it is easy enough for young children to understand and equally changelling for adults. players compete against eachother to complete a series of ten phases before anyone else; all the while having the least amount of points. while your winning is based mostly on luck, depending on what cards you are dealt, there is some strategy involved. you can keep your neighbors from taking their turn by skipping them, or reversing the order of the game, all the while strategizing the quickest way to 'go out' before anyone else. the only thing really "educational" about this game is that you learn the basic concept of playing cards, which is good for children. as for durability; they do get dirty pretty easily, but they do hang in there for a while (my advice--buy the ones in the tin). while it's similar to rummy and UNO, phase 10 is completely unique. grab some friends, plently of junk food, a spot on the porch and you're guaranteed to have a blast. ... Read more

Asin: B00005JCPB
Sales Rank: 7825
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Cards   

Uno Original
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $6.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (20)

my review
This is a great game in less your playing w\ sore losers(tylor w.)

I love UNO
I grew up playing this game with my Grandma and I recently taught my husband. Its a very simple game but it is alot of fun especially if you love card games which we do.

NOT a boring game if you know how to play it
Uno is a very entertaining game and it goes by real fast so it does not take forever to complete and the rules are very simple and easy to learn. This game is only boring if you are someone who is so pathetic (like s. martin) that you cannot comprehend the simple rules to play this game. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TZY8
Sales Rank: 189
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Cards    3. Classic Games    4. Family Favorites    5. Playing Cards    6. Travel Games   

Big Brother
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Any four to six fans of the TV game show Big Brother can now enjoythe gossip and the confrontation long after the show is over. On an 18-inch-squaregame board, move cardboard pieces around from "room" to "room" and try not toget banished from the house. Unlike the TV show, players won't win $500,000, butthen they won't get stuck on the board for three months, either. Ballot cards,a ballot box, and two dice are included. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Big Brother Review
This Game is very fun and I like it. My friends and family like
to play this game and I do give good reviews.

Lots of fun... but careful who you play with!
I grabbed this game when I was taking an out of town trip with family and friends - something to play at the hotel at night!It was fun, when we played by the rules, but you really do need a lot of people to play or it will end quickly.The questions are a blast!We ended up asking questions all the way home the next day - for four hours!We took turns reading, and we'd ask the question to one person in the car.If the question was who would leave the biggest tip, then the person would answer only from the people in the room.It was fun... and we laughed for hours!I couldn't believe it when we arrived home we were still reading and laughing!

However, because some of the questions are a little rude and could be very embarrasing to some people... be careful who you play with.If you have friends or family that are easily embarrased, and don't like talking about themselves or others that are in the room in a less than flattering way, don't play with them!Not the kind of game to play with people you hardly know!FOR THE THICK SKINNED GROUP!

Not good at all!
I bought this game, FIRST because I love playing board games with friends, second because I loved the show, and third because I read good reviews on this site about it. I don't recommend it at all. It's completely boring and the questions are pretty stupid. We switched the rules around to read the negative questions that were supposed to only be used for voting out...it made it alot more fun but I still can't recommend it. If you're looking for a fun game (for adults) that is like this but MUCH better, check out True Colors! ... Read more

Asin: B000050YR6

Beyond Balderdash
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Full of hot air? Get some mileage out of it! Test your knowledge (real and/or make-believe) aswell as your bluffing ability in this creative word game. There are five categories of questions (words,people, initials, movies, and dates). A question is selected from one of the categories and each player writesdown an answer, either trying to answer the question correctly or hoping to bluff the other players with aninventive, believable-sounding answer. You score points for guessing the correct answer or foolingthe others with your phony answer. Thinking cap required. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (83)

This isn't a load of balderdash
This year at Thanksgiving we decided toplay Balderdash, a game which had been sitting at the back of my cousin's closet forever. I played with my aunts, uncles, and 6 of mycousins. We played for hours and had a blast. One of my younger cousins did exceptionallly well. I give this game 5 stars all the way! Besides showing off our creativity we laughed our selves silly( I actually felll over and off my chair because I was laughing so hard at one point!)

The game for everyone!
I love this game! And so does my 7 year old sister and 50 year old father, and the rest of the family too! (which includes a 13, 21, 23, and 49 year old) I can play it with my college friends as well. I would reccomend it to anyone. By and far my favorite game ever!!

Great game for parties!
This is quite possibly the best game in the history of the world. OK, that might be a stretch, but it is certainly my favorite. If you have friends like mine (full of bull and quick on their feet) then this is a great game for any get together.

Balderdash is a game in which players are given an obscure (might be the understatement of the decade) word and must make up their own definition of the word. This definition is read along with the real definition and players attempt to guess the correct definition.

The only way I would improve Balderdash: Give us more tablets with the game because the tablets included run out way too quickly.

May the best deceiver win! :-) ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWEX
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games