Qwirkle Board Game

Qwirkle Board Game Review

Qwirkle Board Game Feature

• 2-4 players
• ages 6 and up
• 45 minutes
• Games Magazine Award: Best Family Game Runner-up 2007
• Mensa Best Mind Game Award Winner 2007; Major Fun Award Winner 2007

An addictive strategy game in the tradition of Sequence, Scrabble, and Othello, the Qwirkle Board Game from MindWare has a simple, straightforward premise: match tiles and win points. But the real joy of the game lies in plotting and scheming your way to victory. Winner of the Parent's Choice Gold Award and a Mensa Select National Competition Winner, Qwirkle is destined to be a family game night favorite. This game is designed for ages six and up and for two to four players.

Qwirkle
Board Game

• Ages: Six and up
• Players: Two to four

At a Glance:

• A fun twist on Scrabble and matching games
• Players strategize to make matches and earn points
• Comes with 108 wooden tiles
• Winner of Parent's Choice Gold Award and Mensa National Competition
• Includes drawstring bag for tile storage and instructions

This award-winning strategy game is easy to learn. View larger.

Match colors and shapes in this enthralling strategy game. View larger.

Mix, Match, Score, and Win

Qwirkle consists of 108 wooden blocks with six different shapes in six colors. Using the blocks, players attempt to score the most points by building lines that share the same shape or color. The simple setup makes this an instant winner for younger kids, while adults will enjoy strategizing to win.

How to Play

A typical game of Qwirkle lasts about 45 minutes--longer when you're first learning how to play--and players will likely catch on to the rules in no time at all. The game can be set up anywhere, although a large tabletop is best to accommodate the generous number of tiles. The only other thing you'll need is a pencil and paper to keep track of everyone's point count.

Each tile has an illustration on the back (circle, eight-point star, four-point star, square, clover, or diamond). Each of these symbols appears in six different colors (red, yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple). In total, the game has three tiles each of the 36 possible color-symbol combinations. To help make sure you don't lose any tiles in between games, Qwirkle comes with a drawstring storage pouch.

Straightforward, Easy-to-Follow Rules

As in Scrabble, the game starts with players drawing their own "hand" of six tiles. The player with the most tiles that share something in common (color or symbol) plays their pieces and wins points. And so it goes until the pieces make up a giant grid. One rule adults will likely need to reiterate to little ones is that duplicate tiles don't count. For instance, if someone has three diamonds, and two of them are green, they can only count one of those diamonds for points.

As play continues and the stakes get higher, younger kids may need some help deciding where to build to maximize their points. Our testers found that the length of the game may make younger kids squirmy halfway through. To keep them engaged, parents can always distribute half the number of tiles to start. The game is over when all the tiles have been played and all the points have been tallied.

What's in the Box

108 wooden tiles, cloth drawstring bag, and instruction booklet.

Our tactile wooden block game combines the logic and strategy of Set® with the creative multi-maneuver game play of Scrabble®. Easy-to-learn rules mean you'll be creating columns and rows of matching colors and shapes in no time! Look for opportunities to score big by placing a tile that touches multiple pieces and matches both shapes and colors; the player with the most points wins. 108 blocks.

Count Your Chickens

Count Your Chickens Review

Count Your Chickens Feature

• Cooperative games teach kids to play well together
• Cooperative games emphasize play, not competition
• Cooperative play

3 years & up. The baby chicks have flown the coop! All players work together to help Mother Hen collect her chicks and bring them back to the coop before Mother Hen gets to the last space on the board. With cooperative games, the stress of losing goes away because players are playing as a team against a common obstacle and not against each other. Count Your Chickens eliminates stress, empowers young learners, and teaches kids that playing together can be fun!

Scribblish

Scribblish Review

Scribblish Feature

• Cranium Scribblish is the game of outrageous drawing and confusing conclusions that?s fun for the whole family!
• Not an artist?  No problem!  Scribble your way to victory.
• Let the funniest moments win with Cranium Scribblish!
• Everyone plays at the same time, every turn, with Cranium Scribblish.
• Great for all ages and drawing skills.

A modern spin off traditional parlor games, Cranium Scribblish will have your friends and family trying to outdo each other with imaginative drawings and hilarious comments. Get ready to put your imagination to work and scribble your way to victory as this game tosses players into a world of hilarious interpretations. Creative and outrageous fun for the whole family, Cranium Scribblish is designed for ages eight and up.

Cranium Scribblish Ages: 8 years and up Requires: One pen or pencil per player What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Pictures and captions get funnier with each turn The Challenging: Players have only 30 seconds to interpret, draw, or write In a Nutshell: A fun and creative game requiring quick thinking and fast drawing

Creative and outrageous fun for the whole family. View larger.

Clues change, evolve, and stretch as each player adds to the scrolls. View larger.

Funny from the Get-Go
Fun from start to finish, Scribblish first requires each of the six players to choose a captioned card. Up against the clock, players must apply their scribbling skills as they each draw a picture to match the caption on their card. After the timer stops, players cover their images with their Scribble Scroll and roll the die to see who they'll pass their picture to.

From there, all players must write, draw, and interpret what they see on the card for each timed round. Figure out which picture leads to your original card, or get voted as having the funniest caption or image to gain points. The results are almost always hilarious and the game is wonderfully addictive.

A Built-In Element of Surprise
Thanks to the Scribble Scrolls, players will have to rely on their imaginations to win. Scribblish allows each person only one clue--either a caption or an image--to create the text or image to match what's on the card.

Much like in the childhood game of Telephone, clues change, evolve, and stretch further from their original captions as the players interpret what they see. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to turn this into that!

Two Ways to Win
You don't have to be Picasso to win this drawing game. Players can claim victory by correctly guessing which final image comes from their original card, or by being voted as having the best drawing or caption. Because each picture or comment is done by a different person, each player has an even chance of figuring out which scroll is theirs.

Players can reward the clowns and artists in the group by placing tokens next to the caption or image they like best.

What's in the Box
60 Scribblish cards, timer, six Scribble Scrolls, tablet of playing sheets, six-sided die, 12 tokens, and instruction booklet.

Hasbro Games Scribblish

This is the hilarious scribbling game of how did this become that? Grab your pencils and get ready to giggle. Everyone chooses a caption and draws a picture. You all then take turns adding drawings or captions. At the end, can you guess which picture was yours when you started? Which one is funniest? Vote for your favorite to win. It's for 4 to 6 players' The contents include: 6 scrolls, 60 cards, a timer, a pad, a die, tokens and instructions. It also includes 2 cell batteries.

• Product Dimensions: 1.1 (L) x 10.5 (W) x 10.5 (H)
• Age: 8 years and up

Deluxe Pit

Deluxe Pit Review

Deluxe Pit Feature

• Contains: 74 premium quality cards, silver toned bell and rules
• Fast-Paced and Fun!
• Great for group play!
• 3-8 players

Looking for a sure winner in the hot commodities market? Pit, the fast-paced card game from Parker Brothers, has been a bullish performer since its introduction way back in 1904. With all the ups and downs, desperate deals, and nonstop action of an actual trading floor, this lively game offers great fun without risking the family fortune. The rules are simple: Deal the cards, wait for the opening bell, scream and trade like crazy, be the first to corner a specific market (nine cards of the same suit), and ring the closing bell. Sounds pretty realistic, doesn't it? Once you've got the basic game mastered, try throwing Bull and Bear cards into the mix--that's when things get really interesting!

Pit comes neatly boxed with a set of durable game cards, instructions, and a heavy-duty metal bell that's great for slamming. There are rules included for a silent bidding version of the game, but jumping up and down, gesticulating wildly, and shouting yourself hoarse is half the fun. --George Laney A favorite since 1904, it's the corner the market card game! Shout your deal and trade your cards to "corner" the market. Be the first to get all the cards of 1 commodity, ring the bell, and you'll win the hand. You'll feel like a trader in the "pits" of the exchange! Beware of the Bear and take your chances with the Bull. Deluxe Pit includes 74 casino-quality cards, illustrated rules and silver-colored bell. For 3-8 players. Colors and parts may vary.

Monopoly

Monopoly Review

Monopoly Feature

• Classic family board game
• A game of luck, chance, and wheeling and dealing
• Buy and sell properties in Atlantic City
• Corner parts of the board, build houses and hotels, and charge other players exorbitant rent
• Includes a new game piece and rules for a shortened version of the game

In 1934, in the midst of the Great Depression, an unemployed heating engineer from Pennsylvania created the game of Monopoly. Realizing that his get-rich theme might appeal to other Americans, he had the game printed and distributed in a Philadelphia department store. When he couldn't keep up with the overwhelming requests for more sets, he arranged for Parker Brothers to take over the game. And the rest, as they say, is history. But Monopoly is far from a quaint historical relic. To this day, it remains a riveting game of luck, chance, and savvy wheeling and dealing--all of which can make some lucky dog rich, rich, rich! Based on the purchase of Atlantic City real estate (a city currently renowned for its get-rich gambling opportunities), Monopoly is now printed in 26 languages with more than 200 million sets sold worldwide. Players still scoot the same beloved board pieces: the old shoe, the terrier, and the hot rod. This set also includes rules for a shortened version of the game and a new token, winner of Monopoly's recent "design a token" contest. This is capitalism at its most fun and ruthless, a must-have edition in the family game closet. --Gail Hudson Everybody remembers the Monopoly game - that's why it's still the most popular, most widely played, and best-selling board game in the world! Across the generations and around the globe, what other game brings back so many memories of wheeling-and-dealing family fun' No other game has turned so many game playing moments into memories! Whether you're discovering the fun for the first time or reliving the carefree days of youth, get out there and Buy! Sell! Mortgage! Build houses and hotels! And collect those rents! That's what makes Monopoly the great American game - just ask Rich Uncle Pennybags! For 2 to 8 players. Game includes: game board, 10 tokens, title deed cards, play money, chance cards, community chest cards, 32 houses, 12 hotels and two dice.

Five Crowns

Five Crowns Review

Five Crowns Feature

• Easy to learn
• Tons of replay value
• Great family game, kids can compete with adults
• It starts with 3 cards and 3's are wild. The next hand has 4 cards and 4's are wild, and so on
• You'll need luck and skill throughout the game because even in the last hand a worthy opponent can come from behind and win

Five Crowns is a fast paced ingenious rummy-like card game. Its double deck contains five suits (the stars are new), but it has no aces or twos. This unique deck gives you many more options for arranging your hand into sets and sequences. The challenge is to see them make the right combinations, be the first to go out, then watch the others scramble as they get one last chance to cut their losses. Five Crowns, with its beautiful cards, is easy to learn. It starts with three cards and 3's are wild. The next hand has four cards and 4's are wild, and so on. You'll need luck and skill throughout the game because even in the last hand a worthy opponent can come from behind and win. Remember, "the game isn't over 'til the Kings go wild!" Five Crowns is for up to 2 to 7 players.

MindWare Qwirkle Cubes

MindWare Qwirkle Cubes Review

MindWare Qwirkle Cubes Feature

• Includes 90 wood cubes
• 2 to 4 players
• Ages 6 and up

The follow-up to one of the most awarded games of all time has finally arrived. Qwirkle Cubes plays very much like Qwerkle. However, you have more control over your hand because you can roll and re-roll your dice to get the shapes you want. Also, because everyone plays open-handed, you can better judge your opponent's future moves. Simply create rows and columns of matching colors or shapes to score most points. And, as always, no reading is required, making Qwerkle Cubes truly a game the entire family can play.

Features include:

•Includes 90 wood cubes
•2 to 4 players
•Ages 6 and up
 

Phase 10 Card Game

Phase 10 Card Game Review

Phase 10 Card Game Feature

• From the makers of UNO
• A rummy-type card game with a challenging and exciting twist
• Object of the game is to be the first player to complete 10 phase sequences
• Twist is that each phase to be completed is specific for each hand dealt
• Great family game for 2-6 players

Mattel Phase 10 Card Game - Mattel W4729.

Educational Insights Blurt! The Uproarious Word Race Game!

Educational Insights Blurt! The Uproarious Word Race Game! Review

Educational Insights Blurt! The Uproarious Word Race Game! Feature

• Promotes vocabulary building and word recall
• Includes 300 cards, which have 1800 clues at 2 playing levels
• This special edition includes a Junior version for ages 7-9, as well as the regular version
• World-famous game is back and better than before
• Great for family game nights, parties, classrooms and more

Blurt is a hilarious, fast-paced game of rapid recall that will have both kids and adults scrambling to be the first to shout out a word based on a given definition. In the heat of the race to call out the right word, even bookworms with big vocabularies may find themselves tongue-tied. With a Junior Version that gives kids as young as seven years old a chance to learn new words, Blurt is both educational and fun for groups of three to 12 players.

Blurt! Ages: 7+ Requires: 3 to 12 players

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Fast-paced word recall game teaches kids vocabulary while having fun. The Challenging: Adults-only groups may want to skip unchallenging clues. In a Nutshell: Fun vocabulary testing game with 1800 clues and many advanced-play options.

This tongue-twisting game will have players racking their brains for words.

Be the First to Blurt the Right Word
An updated version of the original classic, Blurt features a new look but is a cinch to learn. With a total of 1800 different clues of varying difficulty, the fun never ends! A roll of the die determines which clue is read as well as the amount that a correct guess will be worth. As soon as the clue is read aloud, get ready for the room to erupt with rapid-fire guesses!

There's no penalty for blurting our wrong answers, so things can get crazy in a hurry. Whoever guesses the correct answer first gets to move his or her token forward. The first player to make a complete circle around the colorful jumbo game board wins!

Get the Whole Family Laughing
One of the best features of Blurt is its all-inclusive game play. While some of the clues such as "the decision made at the end of a trial" will seem obvious to adults, over-confident guessers may find themselves bested by a quick-witted youngster half their age. And for those clues that seem too tough for a seven-year-old, the flip side of each card offers easier clues designed specifically for kids.

Junior Version Builds Vocabulary
Groups of kids ages seven to nine will love playing the Junior Version of Blurt (additional instructions included). In this version, players write down their guesses rather than blurting them. Every clue offers the opportunity to learn a new vocabulary word, and extra points are awarded for correct spelling!

Raise the Stakes with Advanced Play Options
The instruction manual includes a number of variations on the standard rules of game play that can level the playing field or raise the stakes. For added excitement, players can stipulate that whomever lands on a square that matches the color of his or her own game piece can challenge another player to a one-on-one showdown.

Alternatively, a variation called "Name that Word" allows players to bid on the number of words in which they think they can identify the correct answer. In this way, a fairly easy clue can become extremely difficult. With a total of 1800 clues and many different ways to play, Blurt is sure to become an old standby for large parties or family game nights.

What's in the Box
Blurt jumbo game board, 300 cards with 1800 clues at two playing levels, six game pieces, and die.

With 1,800 clues, the game will be sure to boost and develop vocabulary. View larger.

Move your token along the board with right guesses. The first player to make a complete circle wins! View larger.

Think fast. What word means "a partially dried grape"? Be the first player to say "raisin," and you're on your way to winning this riotous game of rapid word recall. Players take turns reading clues aloud, competing to blurt the correct answer first and move ahead on the board. The first person or team to circle the board is the winner. Sounds simple, right? But as the race for the right word heats up and the blurting gets boisterous, it's easy to get tongue-tied. Blurt is a great vocabulary builder for the kids, a hilarious addition to adult parties, and a must for a family game night. For 3-12 players. Ages 10 and up. Includes a Junior version for ages 7-9.

Features include:

•The Webster's Game of Word Racing
•Includes 300 cards, which have 1800 clues at 2 playing levels
•This special edition includes a Junior version for ages 7-9, as well as the regular version
•World famous game is back and better than before
•Great for family game nights, parties, classrooms and more