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| Coda | Equate | Hullabaloo DVD Game | Imaginiff | | Mixtery Jigsaw Puzzle | Namits | Quzzle | Super Scrabble | |
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RATINGS EXPLAINED: - perfect score = 5 1. Price is within reason for the product (1 pt) 2. The product does what it claims (1 pt) 3. Suited for recommended age (1 pt) 4. Quality manufacturing (1 pt) 5. Instructions are clear and easy to follow (1 pt) 5 = PERFECT | 4 = GOOD | 3 = OKAY | 2, 1, 0 = rejected |
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3D Spherical Puzzle (Antique Globe) |
Company: | Buffalo Games |
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Now you can take 530 puzzle pieces and create a freestanding 9.5" diameter sphere that defies gravity and requires no external support. We have reviewed the antique globe. They have other versions available at their website as well.
The Antique Globe is beautiful once it is complete. It is well depicted and the artwork is wonderful. You may wish to use it as a showpiece when completed. Not only because of its beauty but to show everyone you conquered your feat. The north pole positioned piece has a trap door that can be opened to place the last piece. Once you have placed the piece, simply close the trap door. This puzzle took some getting used to because it is such a different puzzle than the normal flat table top puzzle, but it was a lot of fun. Should you get too lost the pieces are numbered on the back, creating a "cheat sheet" if needed. However, we found this was not needed and the fun was in the discovery as we went along. Everyone helping agreed this was a lot of fun and well worth the time investment to complete it. Enough pieces to give a bit of a challenge but few enough no one got discouraged. This is definitely a new twist in puzzle land that you will want to explore. <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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3Dymension |
Company: | 3Dymension |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Cool Product Award] Ages: 7 and up Players: 2 to 4 3-Dymension "STACKS UP" to a whole lotta family fun! 3 Dymension is a lot of fun and can be quite the challenge. The first time I played, I played with my son. I was shocked to find he had simply stacked 6 in a row on one peg and I had not even noticed, because I was concerned with making sure he didn't get 6 in a row across, etc. He had a lot of fun with this one, knowing he had beat mom so "easily". The second time I played, it was with my husband. He "almost" did the same thing to me. I caught him on peg 5 and blocked him. I ended up winning, but it sure was a close call. 3 Dymension is a peg board you place beads of your color on. The object of the game to win is to get 6 beads in a row. This may be done on one peg up and down (as my son did). It may be done across the row. It may be done on staggered levels (first bead on level 1, next row bead on level 2, next row bead on level 3, etc. up to level 6). Because there are so many ways to sequence the beads, it takes watching every move your opponent(s) make to ensure they do not win. If you see their strategy, block them before they make it. The more players (up to 4) the more challenging, because you have so much more to keep your eyes on. This adds to the complexity of the game but also to the fun. This game comes in a "travel size". I hope someday the creator envisions a table top size, with larger pieces, as it would make a great table top game. However, size is not important when a game is this much fun! It is a great game! We are having a lot of fun with it. It is a fast moving game, challenging, and one you will want to play many times. Children and adults alike will have a lot of fun with 3-Dymension. This is great to sharpen your focusing skills. This attention to detail enhances both a child's study skills and an adults work skills. This is like tic tac toe x 7. A true hit and a true delight. Grab one today and enjoy the fun we have had reviewing this great new game. <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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 Winner 2008  |
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Baffle Gab |
Company: | Baffle Gab |
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Baffle Gab aligns education and fun in a great new way. Each player brings to the table five word cards. From these, the player must then add their own words to make up a complete paragraph (ie: story). This teaches proper way to use the words, increases word comprehension, as well as building the players' skill level in sentence structure and sometimes story humor.
If you have been looking for a great game to add to the family play list, looking for a game to add to the school library or play center, or just wanting a great game that is fun to play with your children - this will be a hit! Because the word cards are always drawn randomly, the outcome of the game (and stories) will never be the same. I found after our family played a few games, the kids remembered the stories that went with the different cards - the stories told by them and others in previous games. This showed me the word play was working and they were recalling with great clarity. The funnier the story - the better it was remembered! As you lay out each story, using your word cards, you earn bone bucks. Each word used will earn you more points. However, it is not required that you use every word drawn, which makes it great for younger players. You have one minute on the timer to create your story ... [Think FAST! Think HARD! Think FUN!] The first player to earn $100 bone bucks, wins the game! A great game, the entire family will enjoy. The nice part is, they learn while playing and do not even realize it! We loved this game and see great value in it for children ages 6 and up, depending on skill level. The game and stories will grow with your child, so start them young and enjoy watching them grow! <<<- (2006) RETURN TO TOP |
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[Most Popular Review 2006!] Our Rating:
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Winner 2008 
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Blongo Ball |
Company: | Blongo Ball |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Top Product Award] Please Note: We have reviewed this product in the winter, with a 20 degree temp outside. For this reason, an outdoor review did not sound like a winner! This hindered us from placing the 2 Blongoals the 25' apart as recommended for play, down to 18' but it did not hinder the fun of the game! However, we all agreed this would be even more fun outdoors and will quickly replace a game of horseshoes or lawn darts around our home. BlongoBall was a real winner with the preteens, teens and adults of our home. Everyone departed from their rooms to gather for a game. To play this game you place the two goals (shown in photo above) any distance apart up to app 25'. Players then divide up on to the two sides for play. Standing even with the Blongoal on your side, you softly set the blongoball into a swinging underhand motion. Tossing the blongoball to the other Blongoal, trying to hang it around one of the three bars (each being a certain point value indicated on the bar - 1 - 2 - 3 - points). If you hang it, you get the indicated number of points on the bar. If you bounce it off the ground and still hang it, you get even more points! If it wraps around and then falls off (like mine did on several occassions), you lose the amount of points indicated on the bar it first wrapped around. Another fun twist to the game is if your opponent has their blongoball hanging from a bar and you can knock it off with your blongoball - you gain the amount of points indicated on the bar and they lose that number of points. First player to 21 EXACT points WINS! Young children will love this game as much as adults. It truly is a game that is fun for all ages. The makers must have known that some of us would enjoy playing this indoors for the winter months, because they have 2 sets of blongoballs available - both hard (like golf balls - which will make for longer ranger throwing outdoors) and soft rubbery balls for use indoors without fear of breaking everything in range. It also does not harm cats! I know this because of our cat who decided to check out what was going on, right in the midst of a blongoball toss and ended up with a blongoball hung perfectly on him! Everyone yelled "That's a hangar!" and laughed ... Except the cat; he looked at us like what the heck ...?? and walked off, shaking off the blongoball as he departed. Wonder how many points that was worth Blongoball? I did not find this in the rules, but we all agreed that was an automatic 21 Points and a lot of laughs. This game is sure to be a hit! It sure was here. Our son has kept it set up in the house and continues to play it daily, trying to improve his aim. I fear that soon he will be the undefeatable BlongoBall King of our home. Thank you Blongoball for allowing us the opportunity to review this WONDERFUL game, and sharing it with our viewers. I know this is one that everyone who heeds my advice and purchases this game, will be so glad they did. It truly is a winner! Blongo Ball Instructions <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Coda |
Company: | Winning Moves |
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Ages: 8 and up Players: 2 to 4 Contents: 26 plastic panels (set of 13 black and set of 13 white) and illustrated rules. Coda : cracking the code of your opponent(s) makes you the winner! Rules are easy - game play may or may not be! It's all dependent on how easy the code is to break! This is a game you are sure to love and your children can play on an even playing field with you, as long as they know number sequences (lowest number vs. highest number). A little memory - a little luck and a whole lot of fun! This is what the game Coda is all about. This is one of the games in the great lineup Winning Moves offers at their website. This is rated a "must - check - out!" game. This is a simple game to learn and a lot of fun to play! Coda offers a game play unlike any other I have played. There are playing tiles numbered 0-11 in both black and white. There is also one black and one white (-) dash. Lay the tiles face down - shuffle them - deal 4 to a player (any color) face down. Players turn their tiles over so only they can see them and stand them up in order (in sequence of smallest number to largest number). If playing with the dash (optional) it can be placed anywhere in the # sequence by the player choosing it. Youngest player chooses a tile - stands it up where no one else can see it. This player then chooses one of the tiles of another player and calls out what they think it may be. The player they have chosen the tile from tells them if they are right or wrong. If they are right, the person then lays that tile down where all can see it. The player then continues calling out the tiles of others until they are incorrect. When they guess incorrectly, they place the tile they had chosen at the beginning of their turn and turn it face up on the table, in the placement it should be to keep their code running from smallest to largest number sequence. Game play continues clockwise until someone completes another players code correctly. This person then becomes the Coda winner. Game play only takes 15 minutes or so, but trust me, it is like eating potato chips - you can't have just one game! This game has won many awards. My guess is because of the simple rules, the speed of the game and it is so affordable and fun! Now you and your children can be code crackers and solve the puzzle of your opponents. Everyone will have fun with Coda! <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Equate |
Company: | Conceptual Math Media |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Hot Product Award] Equate has proven to be both engaging and challenging for all players involved in the game, no matter what level of math skills they have. Our first game was played with players ranging from ages 10 to adult. Everyone became very serious, as they thought out their next move. It was quite intense, but also enjoyed. I was amazed yet impressed, to see how serious it was taken from the first moment play began. Equate is a math game... A Scrabble game with a mathematical twist. Played in a Scrabble fashion, so it is a familiar style to everyone. The fun twist is there are no letter tiles, but only numbers and operation tiles. By placing the numbers and four basic math operation tiles (+, -, X, /) on the board, you score based on the tiles played and the value of the squares they are played on. The use of Fractions and Division equals higher scores, which encourages players to sharpen their skills in these two areas, so they may play them. Equate offers a classroom version, and the home / personal use version. They also have add on packs that include algebra (algebra tiles sold separately). This is a great math tool that will encourage students to study math without a pen and paper. By playing in this manner, students must think through the math equation to play it on the board, which is a great mental math strategy everyone should increase. The game may be played with individual players or teams. If playing in teams, they can map out their best next move together, which allows players with more advanced math skills to actually teach those who are at lower levels. If playing as individuals, then it is based on skill level and open space values on the board. This game comes highly recommended to incorporate in to your family play. Great to use for homeschooling math sessions, public school math centers, and just for a fun challenge around the table. Allows players to play at their own level equally Enhances math skills at all levels Uses a familiar "Scrabble" like interface Encourages children to learn fractions, due to higher scores using them Challenging for all level players, from age 8 to adult. <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Hullabaloo DVD Game |
Company: | Cranium |
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To play this game you must have a television and dvd player (not included).
Cranium also offers the original audio version for those who do not have the above mentioned items available, or for those who wish to have a portable game.
Hullabaloo is a true hit for child animal lovers. Taking children on an animal safari across the globe, to discover some of the most outrageous and fun animals known. Mini facts are available within this game, however, the game is centered more around having fun, than it is education. Hullabaloo DVD game offers a lot of interaction, excitement and versatility. This game offers great animal video footage, visual cues and the narrator gives clear instructions that are easy to hear and understand. This game is best for children ages 4-8, and can be played by 1-6 children. (Parents have been known to join in too!) Using the 16 included game pads, children learn brief information about their favorite animals while watching the footage on the dvd, while enjoying their time wiggling, twisting, dancing and giggling in response to the game cues given. Choose "How to play" when you first insert the DVD - Then choose from the list of games from the main menu and you are off and running into the fun world of animal wonderment. You can also go to the main menu on the screen, using your remote. Don't press any buttons for about 30 seconds and the dvd will randomly play different games as long as you like! *Each game is very short in length, but this makes it great for short attention spans and can be played again and again as their interest lasts. <<<- (2006) RETURN TO TOP |
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Imaginiff |
Company: | Buffalo Games |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Hot Product Award] HILARIOUS! But be careful if playing with inlaws. You may wish to keep true thoughts to yourself and vote politically correct - trust me! This game was fun just reading through the cards with my partner and selecting someone we know that it would be a perfect question for. However, true game play was even more fun. In Imaginiff you start by writing in everyone's name who is playing the game. If there are not 8 people, then you continue filling in the empty spots with names of people you all know. Once all names are on the board, you take turns rolling the dice to see who the question will pertain to. The player then draws a card and reads it aloud, along with the multiple choice answers it provides. Everyone will select from the multiple choice selections on the card and then cast their vote by laying down a card numbered 1-6 ( which corresponds with the 6 multiple choice selections given on the card. ) Those with the most popular answers advance on the board toward the finish line. Those who were not in the majority stay behind. If a Bonus Card is selected, then you follow the guidelines the card gives and do not read a question for that turn unless directed to do so. They will usually tell you to advance a certain number of spaces on the board. Now where this game gets sticky, is when you play with family members (or friends) and a question such as this one appears: If ______ (fill in name here) were an object, which one would he/she be? (1) Blimp (2) Biplane (3) Glider (4) Frisbee (5) Lear Jet (6) Brick. YOU may see them as a brick, because they are a couch potato... but they may see themself as a lear jet, able to sail over problems etc... This is when self control and political correctness may save you from a debate; but then again, maybe the debate is what you are hoping for ... You decide. True fun if played in the spirit of a game. Not intended for those who take everything personal or get feelings hurt easily. All is meant in good fun. 3-8 Players Fantastic concept not seen before in a game Great group game <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Mixtery Jigsaw Puzzle (Jungle Jumble) |
Company: | Buffalo Games |
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I have memories of puzzle nights; filled with pizza, soda, puzzles, and laughter, since my childhood. Never have I tried one like this! 1,027 pieces total, with piece sizes that match what is shown in the leopard portion of the photo above (normal size); where the Mixtery Puzzle is so different is the manner in which you put it together. The "mixtery" starts out as a "mystery", to say the least.
Remembering the normal steps to puzzle assembly is propping up the box and looking at the picture, to decide which pieces go where - The Mixtery Puzzle throws this strategy completely out the window! The only way you will see the finished product is to either (A) finish the puzzle or (B) whimp out and look at the sealed completed image that each box contains. We chose (A). I remember when puzzles were finished in one night. That was not the case with this one. It took us three nights to finish. Perhaps because I do not have as much time each night to devote to puzzles, as I did when I was a child; or perhaps it was just because of the complexity of this one ... but it was not an easy feat, but it sure was fun! My strategy was start with a basic object that I could tell existed from the picture, and build off of those pieces. Others helping used a corner piece to then start them on their way, but to me that seemed like a lot of wasted time. Each person seemed to have their own way, to work through this one. If you are a person who likes to stick to the norm, not subject yourself to challenges and not try anything new, then this puzzle is not for you. However, if you like a little added zest to something you have done many times, then you will LOVE this one! It may take a bit of extra time, but it is well worth it and the added twist makes it that much more appealing and fun! We truly enjoyed this puzzle and will purchase more of them in the future to both do ourselves and to give to other puzzle lovers as gifts. Your Role: To solve the mystery of the mixtery. Taking a srambled puzzle picture, you decode it into a beautiful puzzle worth framing upon completion. Once you see the image beginning to take shape, it is easier to continue toward the solution. However, it will be a challenge to get it to this point. Challenging for all level puzzle maniacs, from age 10 to adult. Enhances thinking skills at all levels Totally destroys the normal method of puzzle strategies A great, fun twist! <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Winner 2008 
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Namits | Company: | Namits |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Great
Product Award] Namits is a fun little game that is small in size and price but big on fun and enjoyment. A game that one child can play on their own or play with the entire family. Excellent game for road trips! Game includes four categories per ring, with a total of 22 game cards included. These categories will start with a descriptive card [EXAMPLE] Things that are: The remaining double sided cards in the category will have a list of things for the player(s) to answer on. [EXAMPLE] Things that are: COLD, WET, STICKY, HARD etc. Players think of words to answer. Once everyone playing is out of ideas, it moves to the next word. Players may keep score or play for the fun of it without scoring. This is one that is handy to throw in the glovebox and pull out as you venture off down the road. Sure to keep the whole family entertained for hours. Fun for all ages Tear resistant cards on a handy ring Can be played alone or the whole family can join in Small, compact, easy to take anywhere Great game for road trips or travel Durable and long lasting <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Quzzle |
Company: | Quirkle |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Top
Product Award] First Thought: It is a 4x5 puzzle frame, with only 9 pieces; How hard can it be? Second Thought: This is impossible to solve! The answer to both is - Think again! This puzzle is neither easy, nor impossible. It will however, appear as both within the first hour of play. Inventor Jim Lewis is a puzzle lover. His quest became that of making the world's hardest puzzle to solve. We think he may have accomplished his goal. Using a computer assisted program, Jim tried different puzzle options and came upon this one. When he tried to solve it, he too thought it was impossible and actually thought the computer program had a glitch. He then went through the program and found there truly was a solution, but one that seemed impossible. This was how the Quzzle came to be. I will be straight up and honest with you. I did not solve this puzzle in the time frame I had for the review. Try as I might, I just could not do it. I could get the square tile to the bottom and I could get it to the diagonal corner. I could not get it to the opposite corner (to the right of where it starts). I ended up on their website to view the solution. I will, however, continue trying this until I have mastered it because knowing it can be done, demands that I try again (and again, and again, and again). Do you like a challenge? I dare you! Try this one and then come back to the review site and let us know how long it took you (in hours or days of trying). I want to personally congratulate the one who can beat me. I will also come back and post when I have mastered it on my own, without the assistance of the cheat page on their site. I can honestly say I have not found one to date that I was unable to solve without assistance ... until this one. This is what makes me so determined to master the quest. If you are looking for a unique gift for a puzzle lover, this is it! This is sure to bring hours of fun and frustration to all who embark on conquering it. Novice puzzlers are sure to give up on it quickly. Pros on the other hand will be determined to beat the odds and find the solution. A sure bet for puzzlemaniacs! You will enjoy it! <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Super Scrabble |
Company: | Winning Moves |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Great Product Award] Ages: 8 and up Players: 2 to 4 Contents: Game board, History Booklet, 200 wooden letter tiles, drawstring letter storage bag, 4 wooden tile racks, score pad and rules I can remember Scrabble being a part of life since childhood. This has always been one of the old standard favorites that has been shared between family members and friends through the years. Always a great game as it originated but I must say I love the new Super Scrabble. It takes the same game and adds more tiles, larger game board, more bonus squares and more fun. They remove nothing from the original format, so there are no new things to learn, only more fun to be had by all who play. Because of the larger board and increased number of tiles (doubled), the game now takes longer to play, but no one notices because they are having so much fun. Now you have the chance to make words never possible in the original game. Game play took 3 of us right at 2 hours to play. Everyone playing enjoyed it and the game board filled up quickly as we played. This is a job well done, at improving a product. Most times I see expansions or reproductions, new editions or other such changes in a product, it changes the product enough that you think it really should have a new name. Not with Super Scrabble though. It is a perfect edition for those who love to scrabble. This edition adds to the fun, the competition and the scoring possibilities. Scrabble has grown up! One thing nice about this new edition is that with all of the added squares to play on, as well as added bonus squares, you truly do not know who the winner will be early on. Things can change so quickly as players take their turn. You may be way behind one turn and ahead by multiple points the next. This is one that will be played again and again. Had it not ended so late into the night, I am sure we would have played round 2 (maybe 3) last night. Try this one and your concept of Scrabble will not change but will add new excitement and pleasure from a well loved, tried and true family favorite. From our family it has received 6 thumbs up! (3x2) <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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RATINGS EXPLAINED: - perfect score = 5 1. Price is within reason for the product (1 pt) 2. The product does what it claims (1 pt) 3. Suited for recommended age (1 pt) 4. Quality manufacturing (1 pt) 5. Instructions are clear and easy to follow (1 pt) 5 = PERFECT | 4 = GOOD | 3 = OKAY | 2, 1, 0 = rejected |
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