Editorial Review

Sally, Stevie, Stanley, Sophie, Stewie, and Sid are six colorful, lightweight bowling pins--each with their own personality--that talk to kids while they bowl. Taunts such as "C'mon!Roll the ball already!" get kids started, and phrases such as "Whew!That was close," keep them aiming for the pins. Bells, whistles, and cheers are heard if a spare or strike is bowled. The tan plastic base has six colored circles to hold the pins in place, but it is not required that colors match up for a game to begin. Silly 6 Pins only keeps score one frame (two balls) at a time, so keep a pad of paper nearby if you're playing as a family. Three AA batteries are required, but not included. --Pam Lauer ... Read more

Reviews (81)

Fun for the whole family!
My little boy got to open this on Christmas Eve, his grandparents got it for him.My little boy was so shocked and excited when he saw the game!He had wanted this game for several months but I was'nt sure he'd like it as much as he wanted it but it was one of those games that I was wrong about- He loves it!I have to admit it is really a fun game.Thebowling pens shake and talk to you as you play and they say funny, cute phrases.My little boy who is almost 4 can set the game up him self and play it without anyone else or if he wants we can play with him.I like games that he can understand and be able to play without having a second player all the time.It makes this game even more a good purchase because being an only child there is'nt many games that are like this.He loves this game and still plays it a lot even 3 1/2 months later.I would reccommend it!

FUN FOR ALL AGES
I was reluctant to purchase this toy for my son's third birthday simply because he has never been bowling or knew anything about it.However, based on your reviews I decided to try it out.My son is not easy to keep busy and this was the trick!This toy is a blast!He loves to set the pins up just as much as he loves to knock them down.He plays it with his 12 year old sister and it seems to be the only time that they don't bug eachother.They have a ball!we all do, the voices are cute, but I wish it was louder.Easy to clean up, and just plain fun!I think we will get lots of milage out of this game.

FUNNY game
My girls were given this game a couple years ago. . .ages 2 and 3.They crack up over the voices and play it still.I like it also b/c it's so darn cute! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Games    3. Preschool    4. Party Games    5. Wacky    6. Tabletop Games   

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

This enchanting activity game will keep younger kids happily distracted, whether it's played indoors or out. A cute, blue elephant blows 30 feathery, vinyl butterflies from its 4-foot trunk into the air. The trunk, made of flexible plastic, stands straight up when the small, quiet motor in the elephant's bottom is turned on. Kids use mesh nets (four included) to capture the most butterflies, same-color butterflies, or just catch 'em period. Requires four C batteries, not included. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (234)

THIS WAS A WASTE
THIS GAME WAS A WASTE OF TIME BUYING. IT BLOWS NO BUTTERFLYS MOTOR SUCKS AND WHEN IT DID IT WAS LIKE 3 EVERY 60 SEC. WE TOOK THIS GAME BACK. THIS GAME IS THUMBS DOWN.THE KIDS WERE SO SO SAD AT THIS GAME.

No good
I bought this toy for my daughter who stated it was the only thing she wanted for her birthday.It was fun the two times that we played, but on the third time, the motor wouldn't start.I payed almost 20.00 for the game and 7.00 for new batteries for it.It was definately the shortest amount of fun I have ever paid 27.00 for, and my daughter was sorely disappointed.This toy is junk.

Not so much fun
My daughter got this for Christmas when she was 3, she became easily irritated that it was over so quickly, the butterflys shoot out in 3 seconds and it takes 2 minutes to get the game ready.She played it once.Since then it's sat in our closet.She says we can get rid of it now. ... Read more

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

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

Fans of the board game Risk will find this Lord of the Rings edition--the Middle-earth version--thoroughly familiar. But there are all sorts of new opportunities and dangers here in the form of wizards, Orcs, cave trolls, and the One True Ring--the latter a gold-colored pewter replica. The four colored armies of plastic game pieces are rather small and cheaply produced, but the 20-by-20-inch game board and 40 adventure cards have a higher-quality feel and are beautifully designed. The game proceeds on the roll of two red and three black dice, and the object, of course, is control of Middle-earth. Recommended for two to four Hobbits; second breakfast not included. (Ages 9 and older) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (51)

LOTR Disappointment
I bought a LOTR Risk (not trilogy) board as it was much cheaper and was very annoyed that it didn't have Mordor and Gondor on it - it only tells you this on the instructions, INSIDE the wrapped box.There was also a leaflet inside it with the Expansion Board advertised on it, but all sites say that this is OUT OF PRINT!Following this, I decided to draw my own but I am still longing for that Minas Tirith game!

really fun- but takes a long time
I really liked this game and i got it because i love LOTR.It takes a long time to play but if you can find someone patient enough to play it with you then it is a blast.It used a lot of stratigy and made me think.

Great Version of a Classic Game
I grew up playing the original Risk game with my father, brother, and cousins. It has been a sort of institution in my family for years. That being said I might like this game version more. Maybe because I did play the original version so much or maybe it is because I fell in love with Middle Earth after seeing the movies but to me the addition of mountains, rivers, leaders, and strongholds changed the whole dynamic of the game and made it seem less chance based and even more strategy oriented. Troop movements and army formations must now take into account bridges and passes. Attacks must factor in leaders and strongholds.

If I had anything negative to say it would be that some of the color contrasts make it hard to tell what "continent" a province belongs to and I must agree with another reviewer that cheap marketing tactics have created two versions [FOTR/Towers and Trilogy] so definitely get the trilogy version if you are a LOTR fan or else just get the cheaper version. ... Read more

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

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

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

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

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

Round and round she goes. Hi Ho! Cherry-O is the counting game in which players race to be the first to have 10 cherries in their basket. A spin of the arrow determines your fate. It will instruct you to pick one, two, three, or four cherries from your tree and put 'em in your basket. That is, of course, if you don't land on the bird or the dog, requiring you to take two cherries from your basket and return them to the tree. And try not to land on the spilled bucket or--you guessed it--spill the contents of your basket or you start over. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Great game!
This is one of my four-year-old daughter's favorite games, just like it was one of mine when I was her age.She loves to count the cherries as she takes them off, and even loves when the bird or dog takes some.She'll play this for about half an hour or more, even if she loses.

Buy this game!!
My 2.5 year old LOVES to play games. She is very good about taking turns, and is crazy for games. However, it's hard to find a good, simple, straight forward game for this age group. Most of them have incredibly complicated rules. This game is great. Of course, my daughter loves to count, so counting the cherries is great fun for her. She also loves to spin the spinner and she loves to say "Oh no" when you have to put the cherries back. It's a game that will last for many years. Her brother who is 19 remembers this game and will actually play it with her (sometimes).

The best things: No batteries, no complicated rules, doesn't take up a lot of room like some games (with big boxes), older kids will play with younger kids, parents enjoy it, and I guess I should add that it is educational too. But most importantly it's just fun.

The worst thing: No extra cherries. We have lost a couple so we can only play with 3 people, but that's fine.

A Game of Chance
Hi Ho Cherry-O is a game of chance that includes cute little red cherries.Gameplay is very simple.You just spin the spinner and whatever number the arrow lands on is how many cherries you receive.But if you land on a dog or bird, you lose all of your cherries.The player with the most cherries wins.Aimed toward the preschool and kindergarten level, this colorful game teaches counting, as well as good sportsmanship.And parents can be free of guilt, since the game is up to chance, so you're not really lying when your child asks if you let them win!I recommend this game to little ones who aren't quite ready for the big-kid games. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Math    4. Preschool    5. Board Games    6. Family Favorites   

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

Lucky Ducks is a sound-and-motion version of the typical color-matching game. An adult will need about 15 minutes to prepare the game (installing batteries, labeling ducks, and punching out cardboard nests), and then it's time to start selecting lucky duckies. A quacking sound effect is heard as the motorized board moves the 12 ducks around the pond. The first player to pick three ducks with colored stickers, which match the color of their nest, is the winner. The game has a couple of drawbacks: there is no volume control, so kids must figure out where their ducks are by watching the previous player replace them on the pond, and there are no game variations. --Pam Lauer ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Daughter Loves it & I HATE IT
My daughter absolutely loves this game!It is one of her favorite games.My only complaint is, WHY o WHY couldn't they have put an on / off switch on this game!We stack our games up on the shelves and if you place any games on top of this larger box game it will start quacking and is impossible to get to shut off!I considered taking the batteries out but you must unscrew the compartment.What a hassle for each time you want to play.Even though this game quacks all the time, the batteries have held out well and structurally it has held out excellent considering we are always beating on the box to get it to shut up!If the company would but a shut off button on this game, I would quickly throw this one in the trash and race off to buy one with a shut off button.Still a great game for children.

Great toy
I recently purchased this toy for my 2 1/2 year old daughter and she loves it. The ducks are so cute quacking and swimming around the "pond". We have created our own version of the game.We take turns pushing the big red button to start and stop the ducks. When the ducks are stopped, we each pick a duck and match the duck to it's home color.This game creates fun while learning.I must admitt the quacking gets a little old, but what child's noise-making toy doesn't.My daughter loves to play this game, and I would recommend it to anyone.

I will reconsider
It's a cute game. It will hold a toddler's interest. And it's simple and fun. However, ours did not work straight out of the box. We returned it and got something else, because I felt that it was probably a game that wouldn't last. After reading all these reviews, about how durable it is, I might reconsider and try giving it another chance. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

There's a charming simplicity in this game for little ones who dream ofbeing a princess. Players move their pieces around the game board collectingplastic costume jewelry, such as rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Thewinner of the game is the one who collects the crown and all the jewels thatmatch their playing color. That player is the princess who now turns over thespinner to reveal a mirror into which she can gaze at her royal self. Game playincludes the dreaded black ring, which no one wants but someone might get.Sticky jewels are included to decorate the jewelry box and the crown. For youngchildren with royal fantasies, Pretty Pretty Princess is pretty pretty good.--Lee Strucker ... Read more

Reviews (43)

This game is pretty pretty stupid.
What is this?There's no guns or explosions or anything.You don't even get to conquer people like in Risk and Risk is pretty pretty lame to begin with.

Besides, this game can only turn little kids into snobs.If you let them think they're princesses now they're just going to keep asking for things.All they want now is a little plastic crown but in ten years they're going to be asking for the keys to Daddy's BMW so they can go canoodle with their greasy sketchy teenage boyfriends behind the K-Mart.

Don't get your daughter a Pretty Pretty Princess.Get her a job.Then she'll learn something.

Cute Gift
A co-worker just told me about this game...our daughter is still too young for this. Hope to have this when she can play it...I bought it for a good friend her daughter turns 5yrs in June...I know she will just loves this. I can already see my husband sitting down and playing this with our daughter when it's her turn.
Cute game!!!

I loved it as a child!
This was my favorite game as a child. I loved it soooooooooo much and now i want to buy it again! even if im "to old" to play that type of game! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Board Games    2. Games    3. Party Games    4. Arts and Crafts    5. Fashion    6. Jewelry    7. Beads    8. Princesses   

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   

Editorial Review

To arms! A harsh and lonely battlefield is the setting for Milton Bradley's newly redesigned Stratego board game. A removable fortress barrier sequesters your army from prying eyes whilst ye prepare yourselves for a most lengthy and glorious conflict. Utmost care must be taken as you place your men.From the lowliest scout to the highest-ranking marshal, all must make ready to encounter enemy bombs, defend the flag, and steel themselves to triumph over the foe. Skillful planning, a keen memory, and sleight of hand will be your allies. Onward, for King and for Country! Spanish and English instructions are included. Stratego is for two players. --Julie Ubben ... Read more

Reviews (64)

the game of stratego
i think this game fills you with interest. Using strategy this game is like a army game.you have players and the wapons you need. Bombs, a spy are the traps youyou need to destroy the best player. This gameis great and the best! also, the best part is the STRATEGY.

A great find
I play this game with my almost 6 year old. I know he is a little young but he has figured out which piece is higher, the bombs, how and who can move, and basically the concept of capturing the flag.although his is a bit young to fully stratagize he is able to think about it which I believe is very educational.Although he is not able to fully stratagize we still have fun getting to the point where one of our flags are captured.And even if this happens he wants to keep playing.This game is great for now and will be even better as he gets older and can think on a more mature level.

THIS GAME IS AWESOME!!
Combine the simplicity of checkers with the suspense of clue and the moves of chess, and you have Stratego.
This is an awesome game, and I am normaly not a board game finatic.
The object is to capture an enemy's flag.
You have different ranking pieces (10 beats a 9 etc. only a spy beats the 10)
Which you attack the enemy pieces with.
Have a good setup, or just good strategy, and you might get past your opponent's bombs and avoid their powerful pieces ( Namely the 10 9 and two eights)
And you might just capture the enemy flag.
This game is incredibly easy to learn, but hard to master.
Overall, it is one of the best games I have ever played. ... Read more

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