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| Frigits | Heximania | Maya & Miguel Word Scramble | Parlay | | Passport To Culture | Pentago | PrimePak | Such & Such | |
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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 |
Our Rating: 
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| Product: |
Bioscopia |
Company: | Viva Media |
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This game falls into line with previous games from VIVA MEDIA.
If you enjoyed Physicus, you will enjoy this one as well.
It is similar in style to another title we are all familiar
with as well, that of MYST.
This is not a fast paced game, but it IS thought provoking, and makes you use every bit scientific knowledge you have and then learn some new information as well! A great game, that is enjoyed throughout your adventure. Your job is to rescue the young scientist who finds herself trapped in the abandoned research complex. Take your time, look around, find out what things are as they seem and which are not, and then find your way to a rescue. This game is rated for ages 10-adult. I personally suggest teen years on up, unless your child wants a difficult challenge. While going thru this game, you will face quizzes to open doors and machines. If you get stuck, answers can be found inside the database. You may find this will come in very handy. While some will find the questions simple, some will find it very difficult. Your level of knowledge will be tested in this one. <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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ConverStation |
Company: | Say It Right! |
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Converstation - the game that focuses on the art of conversation. Be it your friend or your family member, Converstation will help you to constructively communicate and have fun while doing so. If you are 5 years old, you can play with someone who is 95 and have just as much fun! All ages and levels are able to play this game together.
The game includes 240 question cards that are divided into 4 categories (Wh-questions, If I questions, Tell About ..., and How Do You ...) Questions focus on language skills including but not limited to: organization, memory, vocabulary, categorization, and fluency. There are many variations on game play, which helps keep it fresh and new when played often. Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their gamepiece to that spot. Players then take the card matching the color space they landed on. Another player reads the question and the player at hand answers. Game play continues until a player reaches the Roundhouse to win the game. Note: Each question card has multiple questions, which can be added to the original question asked to expand the conversation on the topic. The game is easy to learn and is welcoming of all age groups. Once players become comfortable conversing, they will want to play again and again. This game is great for those who wish to communicate more effectively. ConverStation is also great for those who struggle with language and conversation skills. By playing in a fun environment, in a manner such as this which focuses on a goal and sets players up to achieve those goals, players will be able to advance in their skill level in a productive manner that is non-confrontational and is fun to explore. Great for at home, in the classroom or in therapy. This is a terrific game that has a specific purpose that is comprehensive in measure and certain for success by those who play. A workbook add-on is available, to enhance the game even more. The workbook corresponds with the questions in the game, with a corresponding writing activity for the practice of language and cognitive skill building. <<<- (2006) RETURN TO TOP |
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Domination |
Company: | Patch Products |
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Domination is a new twist to playing Dominoes. It also has the flavor of the
dot to dot game we all played on paper as kids, where you connect the dots to form
squares, and place your initial in squares you close. What a GREAT combination, all
wrapped into one game of DOMINATION.
Your goal truly is to dominate the board, so the name of the game is perfect. By placing corresponding Dominoes, in the squares with equal numbers, you form squares. In this game there is no skipping a turn, because you have nothing to play - you will always have a Domino to play. Toward the end it gets tough, as just about anywhere you go will open it up for someone to get a square filled in ... but they likewise have to take a turn, leaving you a spot to fill in as well. Maybe, just maybe, you will be lucky enough to collect two squares with one Domino. Challenging, a whole lot of fun, and not a hard game, so great for all ages to enjoy together. This game has been found to be quite addictive, and has been played the most of any game in our home since its arrival. A lot of fun for two people, and even more fun (and challenging) when you add in one or two more people. If you enjoy Dominoes, I suggest you try this new twist. I know you and your family will enjoy DOMINATION by Patch Products. We LOVE IT! <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Dread Pirate |
Company: | Front Porch Classics |
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DREAD PIRATE is a game that is very addicting.
I brought it out the first night, and we played the basic version of the game.
This took about 1 hour to play, partly because we were learning the rules as we went.
Then, we decided we were up for another game, this time the full, longer version of the game.
I think it has won as the favorite in the house. While the girls enjoyed it too, the level of appreciation seemed to be gender based. While the girls like and enjoy it - the boys LOVE it. All of a sudden I heard them saying things like "ARGH!" and "Arm yourself!" ... This is a man's way of saying they are enjoying themself. The game is beautiful. This is one you can leave out on the coffee table, because it makes a beautiful showpiece when not in use. A wooden treasure box, with a latch for closure. Inside you will find a large, linen playing board, which is a map of the seas and the islands. You will also find 4 ships (for up to 4 players or 4 teams). The pieces are constructed out of metal and very nicely done. You will also find 4 velveteen treasure bags full of treasure (clear stones of different colors). There are the gold coins [which will remind you of a day at the renaissance fair]. There are two sets of cards for play action, three wooden normal dice and one Wind Direction di. To play and win this game, your objective is to move your ship around the map, according to the numbers rolled on your dice. You move from port to port, gathering treasure from each one. Once you have treasure from each of the islands, you head to Dread Island, where you will become the Dread Pirate. The game can become intense and the battles are engaging. When you encounter an opponent Pirate ship during your voyage, you may stop to battle them and try to plunder their treasure. Each opponent then rolls a di - the high roller wins the # appearing on the di in treasure. Watch out! If they take all of the color from a port, you will have to return to that port to gather more treasure in order to complete the game or become a Dread Pirate. The game offers an intense experience that one will enjoy, while trying to plunder their opponents into demise and bring themself to Dread Island where they become the Dread Pirate, that is feared by all in the game. Once you are the dread pirate, your power increases, which gives you an advantage when facing your opponents. Those who do not become the Dread Pirate, may decide to battle him or retreat to their own port, where they may be deemed safe. Once you have become the Dread Pirate you gain strength and ability and are able to plunder from the other ships and bring them to destruction. But, be careful! Eventhough you are the Dread Pirate, they can still overtake you with the luck of the dice and the cards. When playing the longer version, the wind direction di sets your course for you, so it adds to the fun, as well as the challenge level, and the length of the game. With the interest I have witnessed in this game, I would rate it at a 10 out of 10. Everyone truly loved it! Because of the complexity of the game, I would suggest those at the age of 10 and above play it. Younger than this may become confused or frustrated... I would leave this for you to decide, but this is my personal suggestion and observation. Thank you for a game that is well loved and is one to inspire thought provoking conversation (and crazy Pirate like actions!). From their website: Pirate battles, mutinies, desert islands and buried treasure. Dread Pirate is a slice of adventure gaming for the entire family, rich in detail, history, and excitement. A unique Coffee Table Game, Dread Pirate comes in an authentic wooden treasure chest and is played on a wonderfully illustrated and aged treasure map with cast metal playing pieces, replica doubloons, knuckle bones (dice), treasure bags and pirate treasure. Journey back with your family for a high seas treasure hunting, pirate plundering adventure! <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Frigits Deluxe |
Company: | Available at Amazon |
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This set comes complete with 2- 8" rails, 2- 6" rails, 2- switchbacks, 1- tornado, 2- spinning buckets, 1- ferris wheel, 1- catch box and 12 marbles.
Frigits is a toy, a science project, and a lot of fun wrapped up into one. Frigits gives new meaning to marbles and a great family pass time, as you stroll through the kitchen and just have to send down another marble! We have magnets in use, we have kinetic energy, we have gravity at work, we have weight and balance factors to see in action. What a great scientific experience! Frigits Deluxe will increase a child's hand & eye coordination. The child must set up the pieces in a manner that the marbles will proceed through the course, without launching from the path. This helps with not only their hand & eye coordination, but also their reasoning skills, as they plan their setup to be a success. When reviewing this product, my kids took over the show. They were creating a marble raceway on the front of the fridge. They went from a simple design (figuring out how the marbles would react to the course), to more complex ones, extending the pieces further apart and zig-zagging them back and forth as it went down the maze. They had a blast. Who ever thought of a fridge as a place to meet and play? This will change your view of your refrigerator for years to come. There are enough pieces included to go the full length of the fridge and make a great course. Change it around and have a full new way for the marbles to embark on their course, as they twist and turn and fall to the next level of the challenge. Children above the age of 3, who do not eat marbles, will love this toy. It is great and allows for much imagination to develop new methods and courses. Marbles and magnets are not usually this much fun when combined. This is one we truly enjoyed and I know more enjoyment awaits. This is one of those "just plain fun" toys that I know your children will enjoy as well. Check out Frigits Deluxe today - this is a great toy! <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Heximania |
Company: | Educational Insights |
HEXIMANIA, By Educational Insights. As my child put it so simply "Now THAT was different!" Heximania is wild! I am a true scrabble fan, word search fan, and the like, but this gives this whole word game world, a new level of challenge and fun! The words can go this way - that way - up there - down there - across there - up-this-way-then-over-that-way ... YOU get the picture! It is a lot of fun for any age child who can read and spell. The hexagon shaped board spins, like a lazy susan. So, you don't have the excuse of not being able to see a word, if you miss it! Miss the word, and an opponent will be sure to steal the points for it, so stay on your toes - the timer is counting down on you! I suggest if playing with young children, to forget the timer and just play! (don't steal all of their points either!) This will allow them to build skill and confidence and then let them know the cruel reality of challenges! A great game for kids and adults! No age is out for this one.
Up to the challenge? Ready for the fun? I cannot tell you how much fun this one was. The fast pace helps keep you jazzed the whole way through, as you try to get all the words possible, so someone else doesn't steal the points from a missed word. Try it with your family on your next game night! - Enjoy!
<<<- (2006) RETURN TO TOP |
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Maya & Miguel Word Scramble |
Company: | Briarpatch, Inc. |
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[Recipient of the 2005 Cool Product Award] Maya & Miguel Word Scramble, by Briarpatch, Inc., is a fun game to play with your children. Remember the old scramble puzzles, where you have to slide the tiles around to form words, or pictures? This game uses that concept, but is a large scale of that model. Then, mix in the fun of cards that have two or three words on them, that you want to spell out on the board, and you enhance the fun! Now throw in a two minute timer and WOW! What a great combination, from Briarpatch, Inc. You will love it! You must move fast, to be the winner. You only have two minutes. This is a possible task, if one concentrates and gets busy. If you stall or daydream, you will not accomplish it. We had a lot of fun playing this, and both agreed it was a winner in our book. This game is one a child can play on their own, or play with up to 5 or 6+ friends. A great game to take with you when on the road for a trip or running errands. Now they can keep themself entertained, not have small pieces to lose, and they can be learning as they play. Play in spanish or english. There is a set of instructions included in both languages. If you have a child taking spanish as a second language, this will be a fun game to add to their at home practice studies. For younger children, I would suggest having them spell one word of their choice, in the two minutes allotted by the sand timer. For older children, have them spell out all of them, as a challenge. You can add to the words to spell out, using a child's word list from school. You just need to be sure there are enough of each letter on the board for them to spell them out, before handing them the list. I suggest having them spell them on the board, by viewing cards or a list you have made, and then reciting the list to them, without them seeing the spelling of the words, and help them learn the spelling of those words more quickly. Maya & Miguel Word Scramble is a game I highly recommend, for all children who can spell, even at a beginner level. This will help them increase their skills, their eye/hand coordination, and improve the speed in which they can spell words. If they are at a beginning level in reading and spelling, help them use the game more effectively by having them spell the words outloud as they spell it out on the board, and then say the word when they are done. This repetition and verbal accompaniment is an effective tool in learning. I am sure you will find even more ways to use this game as a fun learning tool. I have only scratched the surface of possibilities. However you look at it though, whether for learning or just for fun - this is a great game and your family will enjoy it. <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Parlay |
Company: | Real Deal Games |
Parlay offers a new look at word games and a refreshing family approach to Poker. No betting, wagering, etc. is used in Parlay, yet you can enjoy your favorite poker style when playing this game, be it Texas Hold 'Em, Five Card Draw, etc. Using an enhanced and high quality deck of poker cards, with added letters and scores included, you are playing not only for the best hand in poker, but for the best word! Bluffing is enriched even more, as you can bluff on your poker hand and on your word! (well, unless they call your bluff that is!) This is a game that word game lovers will adore, as it adds such a fun and unique twist. Poker players will enjoy this game if they also love word games (such as Scrabble), but if they do not already have a love for this style of game, they may or may not enjoy Parlay as much as a straight game of Poker. This is a game that is beautiful in its detail and strategic in play. We wondered what we were in for when we started the game, but as word game lovers, we were hooked after the first round! Every night is a Parlay night around here right now ... Not sure how long the addiction will last, but it has been going for quite a while already. One of my favorite parts of this game is it is family friendly and a great one to bring the kids in for. They enjoy the fun pace of it, and I enjoy that they do not encounter betting, etc., yet can enjoy a fun card game with us adults. This is definitely one to try! I think you will enjoy it as we have. It has made for a lot of fun, a lot of laughs and a lot of BAD bluffs! GAME BOX INCLUDES: 52 Card Deck 2 Jokers 1 Poker reference card 6 Stay/Fold game chips 80 Sheet Score Pad Instruction Booklet <<<- (2006) RETURN TO TOP |
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 Winner 2008 
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Passport To Culture |
Company: | H&H Global, Inc. |
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For ages 10-Adult, and 2-6 players. This game offers a great combination of trivia, geography and culture, and family fun. You will enjoy learning together as you venture around the globe, with your passport for fun times. Learning about the different cultures in different areas is a lot of fun, and when combined with game action you cannot beat it! This game is a hit everytime we play!
Every country of the world is featured, and you will be tested on your skills of the culture found in each of the countries. Don't sweat not knowing - you will learn quickly! This is like vacation time without leaving home! You will learn key phrases and gestures, favorite foods and drinks, treasures found in the area, cultures and customs and much much more. <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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Pentago |
Company: | MindTwister USA |
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Pentago, a game from Sweden, gives a new spin to a favorite old gaming concept!
When you play Pentago, you want to be the first to place five of your marbles in a row. Sounds easy enough, right? ... But wait! Once you have placed a marble, you must also turn one section of the playing board, which is divided into four equal parts. Each of these blocks have only 3 marble holes across x 3 marble holes down. You need two of the sections to align correctly, for your five pieces to be in a row. Okay, now that doesn't sound so easy, does it! A bit of luck, a lot of strategy, and you will be the winner. An easy game to learn, but not so easy to master. As much fun for the novice as it is for the pro, everyone is sure to love this game. It quickly becomes addicting as you try to formulate new strategies in your head. The only problem is, your opponents next twist of the board may send you back to the drawing board, for a new way to win. We greatly enjoyed this game. We found the younger children enjoyed the first few rounds greatly, but lost interest much faster than the older children and adults. While younger children look at Pentago as another game to play, older ones look at it as a challenge they must conquer. A fun and challenging two person game that will have you back to the table again and again. A great game to leave on the coffee table to strike up conversation and a good round of Pentago when guests arrive, as everyone wants to know what this great looking game board is. <<<- (2006) RETURN TO TOP |
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PrimePak |
Company: | Conceptual Math Media, Inc. |
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Primepak offers a great way to increase math skills in a fun setting.
Children will brush up on their multiplication and division skills greatly when using this game,
as will adults. Starting out with deck level 1, and advance to decks 2 through 6 once each level prior has been mastered. This gives a child the thrill of success, to motivate them for the more challenging games ahead. There are four games to play, with six levels. As you can see, this makes way for a lot of fun ahead.
In all 4 games, players form factor sets. An example of a factor set if 90, 9, 10. (90 = 9 x 10, so all 3 numbers form a factor set). Factor sets can have no more than 3 cards. The four games to play include: Prime Challenge, Prime Solitaire, Factor Rummy, & Prime Canasta. Loved by all ages and by parents, students, and teachers - this is a must have for the serious math student who wishes to reinforce their math skills in a fun but very challenging setting. <<<- (2005) RETURN TO TOP |
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| Product: |
Such & Such |
Company: | Patch Products |
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Patch Products brings to the family table another great game!
Such & Such is a new spin to a family trivia type game.
Each answer is two parts. Like Peanut Butter & Jelly.
Like Dog & Cat. Like Homer & Marge. (You get the picture)
Each player (or team) answers as many of the questions on the card in play, for their turn. Gain points by answering as many as you can possibly figure out in the time allotted. FOOTNOTES: Great for single players or teams. As few or as many people can play as you wish. A fast paced, and fun game. It may be hard for young children to answer the questions, so it is recommended for ages 10 and up. With that in consideration, all players will play at the same level, and simply knowing the trivia answers will be the winning factor. There are fun categories for all players to have equal play. OUR EXPERIENCE: We found this game to be very fast to play - about 30 minutes. Each player in the family enjoyed it greatly and a lot of laughter was to be found. Our players ranged in age from 11 to 40, and all had an equal good time. The rules were easy to understand and implement. Within a couple of minutes we were playing. REVIEWER'S PERSONAL OPINION: I find this game to be well priced and a lot of fun. I would recommend it to any family who likes trivia type games, where you answer clues. <<<- (2006) 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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