Editorial Review

It's still hard to get a triple word score, the tiles are still made of wood, there's only one "X" in the whole box, and family feuds are increasing exponentially. But after 50 years, Scrabble has had a face-lift: a swivel base allows the board to turn so players don't have to work upside down, a plastic grid helps keep tiles in line, and a handy bag stores the letters when they're not in use. The premise hasn't changed at all--two to four players battle it out to make high-scoring words from seven little letters--so choose a dictionary before play begins to avoid ugly confrontations. --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Deluxe not like the old Deluxe
I purchased the new deluxe Scrabble game for my sister in January and was terribly disappointed in how it was made.We both love to challenge each other in Scrabble matches when we are together and her game really needed to be replaced.I was embarrassed at how cheaply the new game is.For the wonderful game that it is, I do believe they could have made a much better version of the turntable model for the price I had to pay for it.Hope they will improve it soon.

Fantastic fun for those who love words and word play...
This along with the official scrabble dictionary is the perfect gift for those who love scrabble. It has a TURNTABLE, that is all I need to say.The turntable makes this so much more enjoyable as it is so easy to manuever it to view it straight on in front of you. I wish the game were a bit more substantial but it is a vast improvement over a traditional set because of the turntable as you just store everything in the base.

Before you buy this...
Check eBay for a complete older version.This one is poorly made,I remember the old deluxe was deluxe.For the new one the best price is here, that I found.And you can't live without this game ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Classic Games    5. Word Games    6. Learning   

Reviews (20)

much better
as in the title (advanced mission) is the main feature of the game. instead of shooting only 1 space at a time like in classic battleship you get weapons for most of the ships! for example submarines have sonar which scan 9 spaces for ships but doesn't give the exact coordinate have two torpedos that fire horizontally or vertically down one row or across a column till it hits. the destroyer can hit 3 spaces at once horizontally or vertically and aircraft carrier can hit 5 spaces at once. also you can launch 2 recon planes off of the aircraft carriers. a recon plane is used to scan a small area(4 spaces) each for ships and gives exact coordinates when. although useful, it takes 2 turns to launch the plane or move it to another point and scan. of course both players get AA guns to shoot down those nosy planes. finally the battleship has the most devastating weapon in the game- the tomahawk missile. only can be used once and hits 9 spaces at once. because it is a computer that stores your ships' position if you play against the computer (you can) the computer always hits your ships when using a special weapon. the use of strategy gets BATTLESHIP 5 stars for educational value but overall the game got 3 stars because the hit and miss pegs are incredibly hard to remove and sometimes need to be removed with pliers.

Cool twist on classic battleship
I bought this game for my son but both he and I love the game.It takes the basic battleship game and adds some complexity and variety by letting you choose from among several modes of play.The salvo mode lets you attack your opponent one space at a time, but the advanced mode is really our favorite.In this mode each of your ships has a set of missles that allow you to attack groups of squares in different patterns.The submarine, besides having two torpedoes, can be used to search for the opponents ships.The more you play the game, the more sophisticated the strategy gets.For example, you have to decide whether to use your assests to scan for the enemy ships, or to use your weapons before your ships can be detected and sunk.It is an easy game to learn and we have had hours of fun with it.My son's friends come to the house and want to play this game instead of computer games!

The only negative about the game is that it is really "chatty".Every time you make a selection of your weaponry, you will hear a rather long (5 - 10 second) soundtrack telling you your weapons are ready to fire.If you play the game a lot, these soundtracks slow the game down and become moderately annoying.Other than this minor annoyance, the game has been great fun.

great toy for convicts
I would have bought this toy for a convict.Otherwise, its worthless.My children found it borish, lame and no fun at all.I thought it was pointless.I would advise anyone with a few dollars to save their money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Electronic    3. Handheld    4. Action and Adventure   

Editorial Review

Connect Four is like vertical tic-tac-toe. Unlike tic-tac-toe, however (as the name suggests), youmust get four checkers in a row. One player has red checkers; the other has black checkers. To play,alternate turns at dropping one of checkers down a slot at the top of the upright grid. The first player to getfour checkers lined up in a row in any direction--horizontal, vertical, or diagonal--wins the game.--Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (47)

An EXCELLENT game with real play value!
I'd never seen this game before but it's turned out to be one of my two kids' favorite games. It's fun to play with just the pieces and to make simple patterns for decoration when you're not playing the "official" game, and throwing the lever that dumps the pieces out of the bottom is exciting, noisy and fun. Really a great game with real play value, a favorite! BUY IT!!!

Great fun and there is even a movie about it!!
Connect four has always been a favorite of mine since i was a little kid. It is a simple game with simple rules, but yet it is still a game of stratagey and can stump even most adults. This spring of 2005 Upsidedown square productions will be releasing a new blockbuster hit movie about Connect four Titled "C4 A connect four movie" Check out how this childs game changes young uryans life around at https://www.turnuptheblaarg.tk .

Fun, Easy Game
I had this game growing up and have played it with my children as well.My game from childhood is still in fine shape and was used regularly, but we took care of it and didn't fight over it or drop it.I can see how this game may break if misused a little.Anyway--it's a fun game and easy for little ones to pick up, but as other reviewers have said once you are well versed then it boils down to who goes first.I recommend for age 4 to 8 or 10. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Brain Games    3. Board Games    4. Family Favorites   

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

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

Editorial Review

It sounds so simple: get your team to name common words withoutvoicing a few choice descriptors. But could you describe a wristwatchwithout mentioning time, wrist, or clock? Taboo rewards those whothink--and speak--fast. The team that correctly identifies as manywords as possible in a minute (measured with an hourglass timer) wins.If a member of the opposing team, armed with the blaring buzzer,catches the clue giver using any of the taboo words, a point is deducted from the group's score. It's a good idea to separate peoplewho know each other well, because their familiarity can be too great anadvantage. If the clue is spinach, prompting with "Mom made this everyMonday" just doesn't seem fair, though it is permissible according tothe rules. Playing Taboo requires an AA battery and a sense ofhumor--you'll need them both! The timer is included. Taboo is for fouror more players. --Leah Ball ... Read more

Features

• The game of unspeakable fun! Help your team guess everyday words but without using some of the most obvious clues!
• Features more than 1,000 words to guess! Requires 2 "AA" batteries (not included). For 4 or more players.
• Ages 12 to adult. Time is against you. You know what ypu'd say if you could only find the words.
• But some things in life are strictly...Taboo!
• Contents: 504 taboo cards card holder buzzer timer scorepad

Reviews (87)

Very fun game...
Taboo is a game that I played as a kid & I never forgot about it.I remembered it being so much fun that I asked for it for Christmas several years in a row & I've finally got it.We really enjoy this game.It's so much fun for all ages & you may think it sounds really easy but you'd be amazed at how many times you actually slip & say one of the words listed on the card that you are not supposed to say.When that happensyou will get buzzed or when you pass on a card the other team will get a point.So sometimes when it's your teams turn to give clues the other team can actually come out with more points then you earned on that turn.It's such a great game that I highly recommend.

A good game for about a half hour
I enjoy playing Taboo and always get a few laughs out of it, but a half hour is plenty.I find party games like Cranium, Balderdash and Rigamarole are far better at keeping a group's attention and interest.

Fun for hours
This word game is so much fun.Any age level could play it.It really is great.My friends and family love to play it in teams or one on one...Overall, everything is good except the buzzer is annoying. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Party Games    5. Grownup   

Editorial Review

Four hippos try to eat as many marbles as they can--as fast as they can. This game is fast-paced and riotous for kids who get to take turns popping a white marble into the ring, then furiously pressing on their hippo's levered tail to catch the prize. As if that's not enough, in the advanced game, all 20 marbles are released at the same time. Utter mayhem ensues, and whoever snares the most marbles wins. If only it would get kids to clean their plates as well as those pudgy hippos do! --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Awesoma Power!
THIS IS THE BEST GAME IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUY IT AND/OR CRY, NOW!!!!!!!!!

Do not bother with it.
I loved this game as a child and wanted to buy it for my 3 year old son.Great game, now made into a piece of PLASTIC GARBAGE!. The light weight marbles are terrible and the heads of my hippos don't even lift up most of the time.
It's truly a shame they have to ruin these type of games with cheap materials.

GREAT GAME, TOO BAD THE PLASTIC CAN'T HANDLE THE HUNGER...
Why is it that companies who decide to reissue classic games from the 50's, 60's and 70's seemingly ALWAYS do so using the cheapest of plastics?Gone are the days of thick precisely engineered plastics, strong metal supporting parts and ready-to-play-out-of-the-box sturdy construction.Instead, we get cheap inferior versions (Spirograph) and flimsy "assembly required" thin plastic versions that don't work properly (Hungry Hippos, Hands Down).C'mon folks, we're talking PLASTIC here...the stuff is plentiful and inexpensive: spend an extra 5 cents on the manufacturing end and give me a better product.

My beef with this toy is that it appears no one at the manufacturer bothered to play-test it.The lightweight plastic pellets go flying everywhere (you can't call 'em marbles anymore), the hippos get stuck or they fall off during play, and you can count on a plastic piece eventually breaking off or cracking, leaving you with crying children and extremely disappointed adults.(However, there IS satisfaction to be had after it breaks...go outside, place it in the driveway and stomp on it until it's reduced to nothing more than itty-bitty colored plastic pieces.Great for getting out the aggression this crappy toy provokes!)

Forget this rubbish, you're better off getting an original.Thank goodness for eBay, second-hand stores, and flea markets.Happy hunting! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Animals    5. Hippos    6. Preschool   

Editorial Review

Need an icebreaker? Want to work out some aggression without shin guards and helmets? Popomatic Trouble, Milton Bradley's classic race-and-chase game, is guaranteed to bring out your competitive side. Try to outstrip your opponents as you race your pawns around the colorful plastic board to safety. Should you have the good fortune to land on a space occupied by another player, you can send him reeling back to start, where he must wait for a six to pop up (literally) on the capricious dice bubble in the center of the board. Once liberated, your foe is free to reciprocate--now you're in Trouble.

The crystal ball on which the fates of all rest, a.k.a. the Popomatic Dice Bubble, is the genius behind this game, and is one reason it has become a classic. Encased in its bubble, the die never goes flying, rolls off the table, or gets lost. Simple to learn and exciting to play, Popomatic Trouble is a game that never loses its thrill. Popomatic Trouble is for two to four players. --Julie Ubben ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Trouble - Popomatic - Good Family Fun
Trouble is a classic game - Milton Bradley brings us the classic board game that is fun for the whole family to play.
Four players can play this, my only concern is the popper, I wonder how long it will last, the metal popper is a little flimsy and may break over extended use - we'll see. You can always use some dice as a backup.Game is fun for the family to play.

I purchased this along with Connect Four, good games next to Checkers and Chess.

They sure do make them like they used to.......
My (6 year old) daughter received this classic for Christmas and we played the game that evening. Suffice it to say, the instuctions are the same and the fun of the game is the same as when I received it as a gift MANY years ago, however the durability has gone down hill big time. I cannot believe how cheap it is now, from the cheesy cardboard used with the graphics under the board, to the cheaper feeling plastic used for the pegs. The popomatic dice keeper even feels cheap and 1/2 the time my daughter pops it, it remains on the same number on the dice. Aren't there any companies out there that take pride in their products anymore? It seems not. I can't wait to open the Connect Four game - hopefully it won't fall apart before we play it.

Could be made a lot better...
I'm a 27 year old mother of 3.I remember loving this game when I was a kid. I was so dissapointed when I opened this game. I couldn't believe how cheesey it is.You can barely 'POP' the dice.And when my kids POP the bubble all the game pieces fly around. Plus the bottom of the game has a pop in piece of cardboard.Shouldn't the bottom be covered with hard plastic??

I also wish there was something to hold all the pieces because my kids (like many others) abuse the box and all of the pieces fall out and get lost.
****Can't the board game makers start making harder cases or Tins so we all don't have a stack of smashed boxes and missing pieces.

The game itself is fun...but I ended up throwing it away because pieces got lost way to fast. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

After all these years, it's still hard to get a triple word score, the tiles are still made of wood, and there's only one "X" in the whole box. The game of Scrabble has sparked feuds and a near-cult following. All the fuss is over a spelling game that hasn't had an upgrade in 50 years. It takes a little luck and a lot of skill to make high-scoring words out of seven little letters, sometimes with an overabundance of vowels and letters that don't go together--sometimes there's Q without U. Two to four players battle it out on the board, and while some players might be proud of impressive words ("I spelled gestalt!"), skilled players know how to use the premium letter and word squares on the 225-square board to their best advantage. This crossword game has strict rules (no names, no slang) and comes with a warning label: "Choose a dictionary first to avoid any ugly word disputes." --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Features

• The classic crossword game played by millions around the world!
• Use your seven letters to build crosswords, and use bonus spaces to add to your score!
• Genuine wooden letter tiles and racks.
• For 2 to 4 players. Ages 8 and up.

Reviews (66)

The classic word game
Scrabble is a word game that anybody can play as long as they can spell in the language in which the game is being played. It can be a lot of fun but it's wise to have a dictionary at hand to settle disputes that arise when somebody creates a dubious word or spelling. The dictionary should only be used to settle disputes - leafing through its pages trying to find a word that fits your letters is definitely cheating. The game is intended to be played by between two and four players but it is possible to practise alone and I'll explain how later, though it isn't as much fun as playing against another person. If more than four people are available, they can either team up or just find something else to use instead of racks to hold the tiles.

Scrabble comes in various editions but all of them have certain things in common. There are 100 tiles each with a letter on them, four racks (one to hold each payer's tiles) and a bag into which all tiles are placed at the start of the game and from which all players draw letters as the game progresses. The main playing area is a board of 15 x 15 squares, most of which are of a standard gray color. Some squares are red, pink, dark blue or pale blue - these are premium-scoring squares (triple word, double word, triple letter, double letter respectively).

To begin with, each player draws seven tiles from the bag. The first player makes a word from any or all of their letters and places it on the board, beginning, ending or crossing the central square, which automatically gives them a double word score. (it is pink) and replaces the used tiles with a corresponding number of tiles from the bag. Subsequently, players take turns to create a new word (thereby building a crossword on the board), attempting to score as many points as possible. Any tiles added must all form part of one word and link to tiles already on the board but strategy as well as vocabulary is useful.

Most of the time, you just place letters focusing on an existing tile on the board, using that tile as part of the word you create, However, if you have a letter S in your rack, you may be able to add it to the end of an existing word while also using it as part of a word of your own, if there is clear room on the board for you to do so. Thus, you score for your own word but you also score for the word that you made into a plural. This is just one example of how you can (sometimes) score for more than word while sticking to the rules, but it teaches you not to waste S letters - keep them for when they can be most effectively used.

When there are no more tiles in the bag, play continues until one player uses up all their tiles or nobody is able to. At that point, points on unused tiles still in players' racks are deducted from their score.

To play alone is quite simple, if less satisfying. The object is to score as many points as possible. Obviously, scoring is much easier since you can build the crossword in a very open design - you aren't trying to block your opponents - but if you find that those opponents usually beat you, a bit of practice on your own might improve your chances of beating them in future.

So, if you decide to buy Scrabble, it comes down to deciding whether to buy the Deluxe edition (if you can afford it), the Travel edition (for taking away from home with you) or the standard edition. Just make sure you have that dictionary at hand to settle disputes, otherwise it won't be much fun.

The ultimate spelling test.
A great way to pass time, teach kids how to spell and learn the meaning and purpose of words. Definatley to be played with a dictionary (I suggest the Oxford scrabble dictionary which not only tells you if words are valid but also gives their true scrabble score!) It's a good laerning curve but can cause lots of heated debate!!

Fun for everyone!
This game is so much fun!Even my mom who hates to play games with me, will play this game!I like this game because everyone can play it!Fun and educational at the same time as you learn to build words and you can even use it to show how to use a word and grow from it.I think this game is worth the money they charge.My only regret is that I didn't get one with a turn table luckily my mom had one from the 70's and we use it.My advise buy this game! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Classic Games    5. Family Favorites   

Editorial Review

Battleship captains plot their strategies, send out torpedoes, and as the last ship (often the smallest, two-peg patrol boat) hides in an unsuspected corner, anticipation mounts. Like many classic games, Battleship walks a fine line between strategy and luck. The goal is to conceal the location of your ships while finding and destroying your enemies' fighters. The playing arena is a notebook-size plastic board updated for '90s sensibilities: the "floor" of the board is printed with waves and the exterior vaguely resembles a laptop. The design mimics the view a submarine captain would have, complete with a glimmer of radar waves. The game is perfect entertainment to share: simple enough for children, yet gratifying enough for adults to enjoy. One design decision keeps this edition from being truly stellar: the playing boards don't lock securely, allowing the small pegs to fall out and spill from the sides if jostled. --Jennifer Buckendorff ... Read more

Reviews (46)

A great little logic test.
This game is a classic and it really gets kids thinking about plotting the possibles and probables. They don't even realise it's educational as it's such fun. The design makes it a perfect travel game. A great one to get out when the chorus of "are we there yet?", is driving you crazy and playing "eye spy" is making everyone loose the will to live rapidly!
I even get away with playing my knid of music without the children moaning or noticing!

Lots of fun...
This game is pretty fun, you don't have to think too much and the instructions are easy enough as well. I do agree with the one reviewer who saaid that the pegs can be horrible if scattered everywhere. What we do is keep them in seperate plastic bags, and unwrap them before the game starts. It's a little bit more time-consuming, but that way it keeps them from winding up in a kid or pet's mouth.

You've Sunk My Battleship!
I just bought this game, because I remembered how much fun I had playing it when I was younger.This is one of those games that never gets old, and anyone from a child, to an adult can have fun playing it.

You each have a console, with 2 grids: your ocean grid where YOUR ships are, and the striking grid.The object of the game is to shout out coordinates to try and sink your opponent's ships.By marking them in the grid above, you then strategize where your opponent has placed his/her ships.You either have a "hit", or "miss".Play continues until you have sunk all of the ships on the other player's console.

There are many ways you can play this game.You can even make a few rules up if you like.There are also different forms of play in the instructions, inside the box.

One example of play that I like: if you sink your opponent's Battleship, the game is automatically over, and you've won.

All in all, this game is alot of fun.The consoles are pretty durable, and there are spots for you to store the ships, and the hit/miss pegs.As far as educational value, I think it would help children to work with grids, and strategizing.You have to be aware of what size ships you are dealing with and where they will fit on the grid (in the NON-hit spaces that remain on your opponent's grid).

I prefer this version to the electronic version.There are no sound effects and no noise, which I think makes it easier and less hassle.

If by chance you haven't played this game, buy it today! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

"Once upon a time, King Kandy, the Imperial Head Bonbon and Grand Jujube of Candy Land disappeared." Thus begins the magical journey of Milton Bradley's classic Candy Land board game. Captivated by the story of a kidnapped king and eager to help find him, little ones move their gingerbread pawns along a rainbow path and through a land of candy characters, all subjects of King Kandy's realm.

Playing cards thoughtfully designed for non-readers are coded with colorful squares matching the jeweled stepping-stone path or an occasional token matching one of the characters' symbols: draw a blue card, move to the nearest blue stepping-stone; draw a snowflake and earn a visit to Queen Frostine's iceberg. There are occasional pitfalls, too: land on the wrong square and you might be stuck in Molasses Swamp until a red card is drawn. With all these enticing, sugarcoated images (and King Kandy plainly visible at path's end), children can't help but be delighted by Candy Land. It's delicious! Instructions are in both Spanish and English. Candy Land is for two to four players) --Julie Ubben ... Read more

Reviews (54)

I love this game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This game is soooooooo fun to play with. Me and my friend love this game and we play with this game all day.

Fun First Game
I got this game for my 3 yr old and he just loves it and we play with it all the time. this is a great FIRST game.

CandyLand General Reveiw
When I was three, I played this wonderful game with my family and friends. With a great educational value and high fun level, this game was my favorite at the time! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Preschool   

Editorial Review

It's "the game that ties you up in knots"! Twister has beenaround forever, and it's still as much fun as you remember. The gamebox contains a spinner, a plastic mat marked with colored circles, andthe rules, which are brief. You don't need anything else except a groupof friends. A referee spins the spinner to come up with a color andwhether a hand or a foot is to be placed in a circle of that color.It's easy at first, but after four or five spins you'll be more tangledthan a plate of spaghetti. If you fall, or if any part of you except ahand or a foot touches the mat, you're out, and the last player left isthe winner. If you're looking for something to break the ice atparties, this game is it. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

A classic for all ages really
Surely everyone knows Twister? My first encounter was when my sister got the game for her birthday in 1976.
She and her friends had a ball with it at her party, then the adults had a go; or rather the Dads.
The Mums all seemed to wear frocks in those days and they didn't want to disgrace themselves at my Sister's party! The Dads on the other hand, would be really dumb at the drop of a hat to make us kids laugh.
I remember it being fun whatever age I was (I played a lot of games at college and we were all pretty giddy with wine then, much like the Dads back in 76!).
You can't fail to enjoy it, just be careful if your back is troubled or you have any injuries that are healing. Oh and be careful if you play with someone with stinky feet! the game really is a "shoes off" number, This is a fine idea but I remember back in 76 one of the Dads was not so sweet and one of my college buddies was rank! This means the mat needs a wipe down occassionally, otherwise there is a unfortunate lasting pong every time you open the box!!

It's a blast!
I have played this for years at birthday parties, but finally got one of my own last summer. So I took it to a Summer Youth Camp with me...and about 25 of us teens took turns on there. It was such a blast!
The only thing I would say is, if you have back or neck problems, you might want to skip this one. Or you could always be the spinner person. Either way, this one's tons of fun!

Twister-4 1/2 Stars
Twister is a very nice, fun, calm game. If you have any sort of party with friends this is a great game to play. And it's not really any age limit, just as long as you know your right from your left. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Classic Games    5. Party Games    6. Grownup   

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

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

Editorial Review

Even adults will be challenged by attempting to fit all 25 pieces into place before the 60-second alarm sounds. These complex geometric shapes need to be matched with the appropriate hole before the whole tray pops up and sends them flying in an explosion of yellow plastic. Any number of kids can take turns trying to beat the clock, and then to beat each other's best times. For younger children who are still learning to recognize shapes, the game can be played without the time pressure. Kids will soon develop speed and accuracy so much they'll want to take on Mom and Dad. --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Reviews (22)

So Much Fun!
This toy is just as much fun now as it was when I was a child.

I highly recommend it for someone working on their motor skills.

Great concentration for kids
I love the fact that my kids can play this by themselves without help setting it up or any aspect of play.The timer is a little difficult for my son (age 3) to turn, but the rest of the shape sorting can be mastered by most anyone.

Perfect!!
This game is great for all ages.My two kids ages 7 and 4 play this together.Sometimes they beat the clock and other times they don't!! They have alot of fun.It is great for fine motor skills as well as recognizing different shapes etc.Sometimes my 4 year old plays by himself and doesn't set the timer.He just puts the shapes in and feels very proud after he gets them all in their correct places.Great game!! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Shhh! If you can sneak past sleeping Daddy without waking him, you can have that midnight snack you're craving. But it's going to be tough--there are roadblocks everywhere. Don't step on the cat's tail!And watch out for those roller blades that didn't get put away! The first person to slip around all these obstreperous obstacles to get to the fridge wins. Players spin a spinner to determine what color space they'll move to. If the player's card doesn't match the picture on the space, Daddy's alarm clock button must be pushed the number of times indicated. Just hope that Daddy will sleep through the alarm. If not, he'll pop up and make his nightcap fly off! The game includes "Daddy" in a 9-by-5-inch plastic bed, gameboard, mover bases, deck of cards, spinner, and instructions (English and Spanish). For two to four players. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (26)

FUN + Educational = GREAT GAME!
My three year old daughter gave this to her daddy for Christmas (so she could play it with him, of course!). Well, the fun has been on-going ever since! We play this game at least once a week (much more than that when we first got it) and it is holding up very well for us. (Our only problem has been that my daughter's younger friend once decided to chew on a couple of cards!...but we can still use them.)

What we like about this game:
-It helps children practice color recognition, counting (as they push the alarm), number recognition, and matching the pictures on the board to the ones on the cards.
-The whole concept of the game is cute and fun! My daughter loves it when daddy's hat flies off, and also LOVES it when she gets to take a card from me (or her dad) when she does wake daddy.

What we think could be improved:
-The alarm is a bit hard to push.
-The people cards all look too much alike. More variety would be nicer and help us remember better which one is ours on the board.
-The people cards should be made out of hard plastic and be self-standing. I've never liked the cardboard ones that you have to shove in and out of the little stands. After a while, the bottom edge of the card gets too frayed, and the whole thing of having to switch them in and out of the stands is just annoying. (There are 8 people cards--4 girls and 4 boys--but only 4 stands.)
-The box should be just a little taller (or the bed just a little shorter) so that the lid can go down tight when you put it away.

So, a few complaints, but we've enjoyed it so much that I still felt it was worth 5 stars.

A complete piece of trash
We played this game a few times (less than 5) before Daddy stopped working.The game is poorly made out of flimsy plastic pieces which don't fit together well.Once you DO assemble the game (which is no easy task), you'll need to DIS-ASSEMBLE it if you want to put it back into its box (otherwise Daddy's headboard is too tall and the box won't close).A TOTAL waste of money.

Neat game but takes a while to play through
Bought this game for my almost-5 year old daughter, mostly due to the reviews on this site.Game is a great step-up game from Candyland & the like in that players have to determine if they hold the correct card for the space they land on, helping them avoid pressing the "alarm clock" that might wake daddy.The pieces for "daddy" fit together very quickly and I was pleasantly suprised to see that this toy does not need batteries (hooray!).A note though:once assembled, daddy in his bed doesn't fit very well into the box.Easy to understand the rules of this game and to play.Only detriment is the gameplay rule that when you do wake up daddy you have to return to the starting point again.Our first few times playing this through the games lasted close to and sometimes exceeded 20 minutes.We modified the rule which helped: when you wake up daddy and he comes flying up out of bed (sending his cap shooting off hilariously), you had to skip a turn.This reduced the gameplay time involved considerably, making it much more enjoyable for our kids. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games   

Editorial Review

Surely countless medical careers have been launched because of this humorous game. The Operation game board features Sam the patient, lying atop a red plastic "operating table" with 12 body cavities exposed. Players perform highly skilled procedures with a pair of tweezers such as removing a broken heart or butterflies in the stomach. This kind of surgery requires a steady hand! Doctors must remove the offending body part without touching the metal lining of the cavity. Touch the metal edge, and you'll set off the buzzer and make Sam's nose light up. Then the designated Specialist steps in--for double the fee! If you're playing solo, try performing all 12 operations without getting zapped. Two AA batteries are required. Operation is for one or more players. --Elizabeth Ward ... Read more

Reviews (70)

JUNK
I played this game as a kid and loved it. But now this thing is made so cheap, the top paper isn't even glued down and we've had some parts get stuck under it, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to pick up these pieces, even if you are steady and all that, you can't get the pieces out because they are real slippery and so are the tweezers. There is nothing to grip the pieces, they are both totally smooth. This game sucks!!!!

Operation - made by Milton Bradley
Another game that I find it amazing that is made available in this hi-tech age we live in.As a kid,I thought this game was okay.Purpose is to remove these tiny plastic parts from the operating board.Comes with twelve parts that's to be 'professionally' removed with a pair of tweezers.Don't lose the parts and this game should last awhile.Anyone else remember the TV ad for this game way back when as the girl in pigtails reads off the instuctions on the card,"Take out wrenched ankle..."?That commercial may've done more damage than Milton Bradley knows.Requires two size AA batteries.

Not like it used to be
I remember playing this game when I was a kid. I perchased it for my daughter thinking that she would have fun. Didn't happen!
She hated the noise it made.(A truely disterbing and loud sound) So we Cut the wire to the sound but it didn't help. She tried to play but the pieces were lost within a week and the game hit the trash. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Electronic   

Editorial Review

A wonderful blend of deduction with a form of 20 Questions. Two players try to deduce the identity of their opponent's "Mystery Person." Using game boards with 48 frames apiece and an equal number of cards displaying character faces, players ask one another yes or no questions that help narrow the pool of possibilities. Through process of elimination, the identity of the Mystery Person slowly becomes evident. As kids' skill levels grow, their questions become more strategic, allowing them to solve the mystery faster and faster. The faces on the cards are cheerful and clever and designed to give subgroups among the 48 characters just enough similarities to challenge players. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Newer isn't always better...look for the 1998 version.
I'm an educational therapist, and had borrowed another therapist's "Guess Who?" game to use with students.I found it to be great for students who need work on visual discrimination, and it builds categorizing skills and other thinking skills.The game I borrowed had a copyright date of 1998.I found this game so useful that I decided to buy it for myself, but, though Amazon.com pictures the 1998 version, I got a newer, but not improved, version.The only improvement is that it comes in a smaller box, so it's more portable.My main complaint is that the drawings of the faces are very simplistic, and lacking in any character, in contrast to the very detailed faces of the original game, which actually exude personality.In addition, though it looks as though Milton Bradley tried to show a little more cultural diversity than in the original game, they still aren't representing genders equally; still only one fourth of the characters are female.Finally, the "deck" of face cards is not a real deck this time, but small rectangles that you have to punch out from a card.

Pretty fun
A couple teenagers were playing this when I was little and that's how I found out about this game. I've bought it since then and played it a lot with all ages. Usually when I'm playing with teens, I'll play the more complex version that includes having 2 face cards instead of just one. Most of the time, the 2 people have totally different features and you have to try to narrow it down without flipping down the wrong people!
So try the variations as well....you might discover something!

Guess Who I am...
I have owned Guess Who since I was a little girl and still have my original game.I still enjoy playing it.As it is more of a game of guessing and remembering thana child's game.It challenges your memory.I just have a blast playing the game.I looked at the new one recently as mine is now getting a little battered and it seems the same although some of the characters look different.But, it is expected to change some over the years.If you are looking for a game you can play with a family member this is a great game!And it is enjoyable too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Cards    4. Matching    5. Memory   

Editorial Review

Practice makes perfect in the game of Life. Try marriage, kids, and more. Will you go to college and take out student loans? Or join the working force and collect on payday? Will you go bankrupt, or earn millions in stock and real estate? Anything's possible with a spin of the Life wheel! A classic family game that can be a reality check--or just a fun time. --Margaret Quinn ... Read more

Reviews (120)

Truly Life's Greatest Reward
I must admit, I really like to see classic board games come back to every family possible. It is unfortunate a lot of families don't have really the time to share the simple things like board games anymore. There are some of them that are just plain classics. The game Of Life Is no acception. The game is one those simple delights that every family should really play. The game plays quite well, with the object of going through life, and trying to retire with the most money possible. I really loved this game when I was much younger, and for family fun for all, this should be well worth the purchase.

Fun & Enjoyment: B ( C if you're playing alone )

Overall: B

Not your father's game of life!
I played this game countless times as a teenager in the 70's.My two sons (8 & 5) wanted it and I thought it would be a blast from the past.While some of the changes in the game play itself are fine, I couldn't get over the poor quality of the game board itself.The spinner I grew up with was so durable.The new one sucks.It's virtually impossible to spin it without the whole wheel falling off.That in itself was very disappointing - and really caused a lot of frustration!Why cut cornes?Especially when many of the people buying this game, probably played it as a kid!?

Life!
I really love this game. Even though I'm a little old for board games I love playing this game with my little cousins. Its all about the game of life. Getting married, getting a job, and retiring- all in one little board game. I tottaly reccomend this game to anyone over the age of about 9 to have a great time with their family and have a few laughs! Please, check this game out. I loved it! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Be the first to move your child-shaped playing piece from square one to square 100 on the Chutes and Ladders game board--but watch out! If you land on the square that shows you ate too much candy--Ouch!--you get a tummy ache and slide down a chute to a square a few numbers below. But if you end your turn on a good-deed square, such as helping sweep up a mess, you'll be rewarded by a ladder-climb up the board.

A fantastic follow-up to Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders is ideal for younger children who are still learning to take turns and just beginning to recognize numbers (the spinner stays in the single digits). It's also a gentle introduction to the higher numbers as players climb to 100 at the top of the board. And, thanks to all those chutes and ladders, it's got enough excitement to keep your 7-year-old on the edge of her seat. English and Spanish instructions are included; no reading is necessary to play. Chutes and Ladders is for two to four players. --Julie Ubben ... Read more

Reviews (37)

A classic game for young children
As a British child, one of the games I played frequently was Snakes and Ladders. It remains one of the most popular games in Britain for young children. Many years later, I discovered that American children play this game too, but with the snakes replaced by chutes. There are other differences too (at least as far as this particular product is concerned) - the die (a simple, solid cube) used in the British game is replaced by a less durable spinner, while the counters (simple circular pieces of plastic) used in Britain to move around the board are replaced by cardboard characters that fit into plastic stands - again, much less durable than their British equivalents.Perhaps these fancy pieces are designed to make the game seem more interesting. The British game is sufficiently appealing to children without them - the snakes are colourful and much more attractive than chutes can ever be.

Aside from these differences, the British and American games are the same although the layout of the board may vary from one individual product to another. I played the game on several different boards (from different manufacturers) and the positions of the snakes and ladders certainly affected the game. On this particular American version, I can see that having three chutes close together near the end would be particularly frustrating - if a game is too difficult to finish, enthusiasm wanes somewhat.

While it certainly helps if the children playing the game recognize the numbers 1 to 100, it is also true that if they play the game often enough, they should eventually understand which way they have to move their pieces, though parents or older children may need a lot of patience while this process happens.

The result of the game is pure luck with no element of skill so, no matter how often you play, you cannot improve your chances of winning by fair play, so everybody has an equal chance. This is an advantage in a children's game - they learn all about winning and losing and the emotions involved.

This is a fun game for young children of school age. Bright children of pre-school age might also enjoy it but these children will grow out of it at an earlier age than average children.

If you buy this particular product, I recommend replacing the spinner with a die and the cardboard pieces with more durable pieces. Do that and the children will have plenty of fun.

Man, tough game
I mean, I got an education, but those numbers are just plain tough!I usually just cheat, my nephew cant tell if I'm movin three or five squares, and I get to beat him most times when his mom, now my girlfriend, aint lookin.I give it a two because I think this gives the kid a not-realistic view of life, I mean, when was the last time you was walkin along and fell down a chute?Not very durable, either, one time when I lost i tore it in half no sweat.Save your money and get the kid a gun; THAT will teach em about real life!!!

Classic, but poor construction
This is close to the classic snakes & ladders we played as children, but it is not very durable. The playing pieces are little folded cardboard characters that fit into plastic stands. The spinner does not work well. We replaced ours with a die. (I keep extra dice on hand for games like that). My son (age 4) can count to 100, but sometimes he still gets confused as to which way to go and occasionally wants to "climb" a ladder when his spot crosses halfway instead of at the bottom.
Classic? Yes.
Durable? No.
Fun? Not very.
Candy land is much better and if you've got the cash, Balloon Lagoon is a blast. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Preschool   

Editorial Review

In Hasbro's Fishin' Around, eight colorful fish swim up, down, and around a stream, wigglingfrom side to side and opening and closing their mouths. Kids take turns picking cards and using theirdifferent-colored fishing poles to hook and catch the fish pictured on the card that they've chosen. The firstplayer to catch three, wins. Two to four preschoolers through first graders can play this motorized musicalfish-catching game without knowing how to read. The game requires three C batteries, which aren'tincluded.--Rebecca Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (34)

great birthday gift for 3-6 year olds
My son received this as a gift for his 4th birthday and it was a hit with all the kids there, ages 3-50.
It is one of the rare toys that he still plays with a year later.What I loved about this is that he can play it by himself or with friends.It is very easy and entertaining.

My Grandson loves this game!
This game provided at least 45 minutes of enjoyment for my 2- 1/2 year old grandson.The same day, he went back two or more times for "more".We were amazed that it went over so well as it was mfr. recommended for 3 year olds.He had no trouble with catching the fish, but we are waiting to "deal" the cards as he gets older.The music is fun, but it's easier on the ears if it is on the carpet.
We did have to exchange the first game we bought due to gear problems.The second one works just fine.
It's a great game to keep at "Grandma's house" to give him something special to do with us older folks.A Grandma

Annoying longer than it is fun....
My kids had this toy when they were younger and I HATED it. They were actually pretty interested in it for the first month. After that it only saw occasional use. What I still remember though is how annoyingly repetitive the music was. At least it was in tune, unlike some musical toys.

The pieces are quite durable (I still find them occasionally) but they are easily separated and scattered, making the set less usable. I don't recommend this toy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool