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| Quelf | Questionary | Sixteen | The Origin of Expressions | | Wits & Wagers | Word Sweep | Yamodo | Zotto | |
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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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Acronymble |
Company: | Acronymwits |
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Fun - Fun - Fun!
Gather up your friends and sit down for an evening of hilarious fun, playing the game Acronymble ... the game where even reading the rules can get you laughing! In the game Acronymble, players work toward making phrases or sentences, using the tiles they have drawn randomly. The number of tiles you have to work with depends on the card drawn from the length deck. If you are able to create an actual sentence, you receive an additional point value! Players vote for their favorite compositions and the number of votes a player receives determines how many spaces they may move on the board. Things get a bit more tricky, when you draw your card from the composition deck! This card will tell you what your task is with the tiles. You may draw one that tells you to use a nonsense word in your sentence or phrase. Another may tell you to use a word that starts with the chosen letter and make an acronym with it. A third type or composition deck card will have you use only words that that with the same letter. The fourth and final composition deck card will tell you that in this turn you are able to play as you wish, just as you would have had you not drawn a card ... so the luck of the deck will help you a lot in your quest ,.,.,. making it easy or tough to get where you wish to go in the game. And as if that was not tough enough ... there is a time limit! Now you have to think - and sometimes - think quickly! Throw the die and this will show how many seconds you wish to set the timer for. We greatly enjoyed this game and I know you will too. When it comes to word games there are so many variations available, yet many do not offer enough twists and turns in the game to make them truly entertaining ... Acronymble does just that! <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP |
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Askew |
Company: | Origin Toys & Games, LLC. |
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A new game that has already won numerous awards, and once you play the very first time, you know why!
Askew is a challenge for one or two players. This game looks simple and remains that way until your opponent plays a piece that has you wondering where you will be able to play your next rod without the entire structure toppling, causing you to add the toppled rods to your play pile. Each player receives 2 of each 6 color play rods. Each color rod has a different number of loops for connecting them to pieces already played. Player one hangs his or her first rod from the base. The color rod played is based on the color shown on the dice when rolled. Player two then adds his or her piece to the one already played. Each consecutive turn requires the players to roll the dice and then hang a rod that matches the color on the dice or the color chart (COLOR CHART: allows you to choose the color displayed on the dice or the opposite color shown on the color wheel). Should you not have either color, you must then play your opponents rod matching one of those two colors. This game gets tricky as physics, balance, and coordination come into play. When gravity strikes, knocking down one or more pieces on your turn, you must then add the fallen piece(s) to your pile of rods to play. The player who plays all of their rods first, wins. But ... not so fast! Because you are balancing and building this structure, using rods with loops for connection, at times there is no safe way to place the next rod. By placing your rod in a vulnerable position you have a chance of causing the structure to topple when your opponent plays their next piece. However! ... This may come back to haunt you, should your opponent be successful (and lucky!) in their next move. Guaranteed to keep you on edge! This game is a lot of fun and our family has greatly enjoyed it. The kids play against one another as well as against us ... and my husband and I have often times sat down for a game between the two of us as well. A nice break from the normal card or board game, Askew offers a fun new challenge that is hard to beat! This game is recommended for age 6 and up. All ages enjoy this game on a pretty equal level. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP | Gold Award | Company Profile | Press Release |
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 Winner 2008
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CAMP board game |
Company: | Education Outdoors Inc. |
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CAMP offers an escape to the outdoors, without ever leaving the kitchen table.
With questions ranging in difficulty from level 1 (easy) dealing mainly with animal identity, up to level 4 (hard), this game offers fun and challenge for all family members.
The decoder will show players which answer on the trivia card is correct. This little addition adds a lot of fun for younger players who feel like a camp detective when using the decoder. This seems to be one of my children's favorite parts of the game. CAMP offers a new type of trivia game that is educational and offers players a chance to learn about the world of nature in a whole new way. To play, players move around the board - answering questions from the question cards when they land on a green set of footprints, and simply passing along the dice to the next player if they land on a white set of footprints. Should a player land ona clubhouse, they move to the clubhouse and read a fun fact card. Compass cards are great to get, because they allow you to take the shortcut to camp, should you answer the question correctly! The first player to make it back to the campfire, wins! Play is challenging, but not hard, and will be enjoyed by all ages. I like the fact that moms and dads can be challenged at the same time the children can be challenged at their own level. We have learned a lot as a family, playing this game. The game is beautifully detailed and makes a perfect gift for families who love the outdoors. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP | Gold Award | Company Profile | Press Release SEE ALSO: ACTIVITY BOOK |
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Ique |
Company: | elogIQ |
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This game is easy to start playing ... hard to stop playing!
I also wish to add that it was as much fun playing with my son, as it
was playing with my husband - age does not give you an advantage at all.
This game combines luck and strategy to make for a winning combination that equals wholesome fun! Not a long game, usually takes about 5-10 minutes to play a round, but each round is equally as fun and challenging. Players start with an empty game board - Starting player lays out their opponent's playing pieces anywhere on the board they wish. The second player then fills in the gaps with their opponent's pieces. Game play begins by player one moving 2 pieces on the board, trading their position. You may move two of your own, or one of your pieces and one of your opponents pieces. The rules will spell out which plays are legal and illegal. While moving the pieces you will note that some fall down into their desired position, some will remain in a raised position - this means they are not where they need to go. Game play remains active until one player's pieces are all down in their desired position. We greatly enjoyed this game. It is small enough to carry with you, when you travel or visit a friend. This is one you will enjoy playing again and again, and sharing it with friends and family is a great way to acquire new opponents! <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP |
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Quelf |
Company: | Wiggity Bang Games, LLC |
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Five categories of zany fun are experienced when playing Quelf. If you thought you had played crazy games before - just wait! This one is over the top in silly fun!
Players move around the board, with each move depicting which card category they will choose from. Players will die laughing or die trying to conquer their quest. The group we played with had a few "skeptical" players, prior to beginning. However, once we got the game going and everyone started to loosen up for some fun - everyone! had a blast. Quelf is a great way to get to know your friends a family at a whole new level. A level you may not have wanted to experience prior, but will enjoy all the while. This is a hilarious game that encourages players to just have some good old down to earth (and sometimes out of this world) fun, enjoying one another and experiencing some quality craziness with one another. Excellent for parties, family get togethers, holidays and makes a wonderful gift. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP |
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Questionary |
Company: | Spark Games, LLC |
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Fun - Educational - Entertaining - Great for small or large groups!
Questionary is not a trivia game, but a guessing game. How you guess the word displayed on the card is by asking questions! A team member draws a card then passes it to the other team. Team mates then begin asking questions to the one who drew the card, trying to discover (within 90 seconds) what the word is. The catch is the only answers you are allowed to give are yes, no and may be... I don't know is also allowed if necessary. It becomes hilarious when you hear some of the questions your team mates will be driven to ask over the coarse of the game. If your team mates guess the word, they may then roll the dice to advance on the game board. This is a beautifully simple board game, of gift giving quality. Our favorite part of the game is that because you divide into groups, you can play with really any amount of people you wish. This comes in handy when you are not sure how many friends are popping by on a given evening. I also like the fact that almost any age can play... even kids can ask questions and we have found they are sometimes better at it! This is a great group game because skill is not needed and no one has to perform any stunts or make a clown of their self. This is a true sportsmanship game, where everyone plays as a team and wins or loses as a team and all players will be successful. Great for introverts and extroverts alike. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP |
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Sixteen |
Company: | Alpine Games, LLC |
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Sixteen. Math and logic skills are not required to begin playing, but will
be sharpened as you engage in this great new game by Alpine Games, LLC.
There are rule sets for 2 or 4 players. The game is suggested for those eight years f age and up. In the game Sixteen your goal is to win the most sets. You will achieve this goal by causing (forcing) your opponent(s) to Bust! - or by being the last one to play the card in a match or a sixteen. Each player receives 3 cards to start the hand. Players then take turns drawing a card, and playing a card on the play pile. If the cards equal "16" - the last one to play the card takes the set. If the cards go over "16" - the last one playing a card not causing the bust takes the set. If the cards are matching in color or number - the last one playing the matching card takes the set. Note: A bust overrides a match. Wild cards assume the color and number determined by the player who plays that card. The player winning the set begins play for the next round. Other variations are included in the rules, as well as helpful tips for game strategy. By introducing these to the game you will redefine the game as you go. However, we found the out of the box, normal set of rules game, to be quite fun on its own. If you enjoy card games, and ones that can make you think twice here and there, you will enjoy Sixteen. It is a lot of fun for the whole family and one that teachers can use at play stations for students in math class, knowing that eventhough the game is a lot of fun, it also keeps players thinking mathematics to play successfully. Check this one out! I know you will like it. It is very inexpensive and worth twice the asking price in play quality. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP |
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Winner 2008
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| Product: |
The Origin of Expressions |
Company: | Discovery Bay Games LLC |
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If you enjoy word games and bluffing, you will enjoy The Origin of Expressions.
The Origin of Expressions contains 300 expression cards, 4 pencils, a timer, score pad, and 4 writing pads. Players have 2 minutes to read their card and write down the origin of the expression being played. You may write down the origin shared on the card, or make up one that seems like something your fellow playmates will believe. When the timer runs out, all sheets are turned in to one player who will read the expressions and the correct, as well as the made up version of the origin. Players will receive points for choosing the correct origin of the word and also by making up an origin that others choose as correct. This game ends up being very hilarious as you hear what your fellow players have come up with on some of these words. Sad but true, many times the made up versions seem more plausible than the correct versions. This is a fast moving and fun game for the whole family to enjoy. Should you have more players, simply make 3 or more teams and combine your thoughts and skill for an even more challenging game. I have always found it interesting to know where our words and phrases originated. This has been a long time fascination, as sometimes you wonder just where that would have come from? Now you will find out exactly that, on 300 common and less common expressions, heard in today's society. This is a great spin on a word game premise and I am sure you will enjoy it as I have. The Origin of Expressions is recommended for 3+ players, ages 12 and up. This game is available in retail stores. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP | Gold Award | Company Profile | Press Release |
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Wits & Wagers |
Company: | North Star Games |
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What a blast! Wits & Wagers is the only trivia game I have played where you can know so little and win so much! This game does not require you to be a trivia buff,
in fact, quite the opposite...
All you are required to do is guess the answer!
The card is read - players or teams then decide their answer. Write the answer on the card. Once all players have written their answer, the cards are placed in order of sequence on the wager board. Players / Teams then decide if they wish to place their bet on their own answer, the answer of an opponent or split the bet. Once all bets are placed, the answer is read aloud. The number closest to the actual answer without going over is the winning answer. The players / teams who have placed their wager on that answer win the allotted amount shown (1 x 2 x 3 x etc) in chips. We played this in 4 teams and it was some of the most fun I have had in awhile. We were laughing our heads off, as people who thought they knew the answer were quickly shown they didn't have a clue. I also liked it when people seemed so sure of their own answer and then it came to wager time and they placed their bets on other peoples' answers. It is a true riot. It requires a minimum of 4 players, and can be played up to 20 people, using teams. It is fast paced and takes about 1/2 hr to play a game (if you can stop with one, which we could not). If you have always felt like the third man out in trivia games, TRY THIS ONE! You will love it, trivia buff or novice. It is fun and hilarious for all! <<<- (2008) RETURN TO TOP | Gold Award | Press Release | Company Profile |
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Word Sweep |
Company: | Intellinitiative Game Co. |
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Ooo-La-La! I thought I had found every word game out there, to sink my word hungry mind into, and then came along Word Sweep! ... Three words would sum up my review of this game - I LOVE IT! and three words is what it takes to make a WORD SWEEP!
Word Sweep is not your ordinary word game. You are not finding the most words using a set of letters, and you are not answering trivia questions. In this game you are trying to guess the three words being described - out of the dictionary. These will appear consecutively in the dictionary, not randomly. The more words you guess correctly, the faster you will make it around the game board. Any missed words become open target for other players to steal! Three levels of play make it fun and challenging for all ages. At the beginning of your turn you announce which level you wish to play at - Everyday (beginner) - Intermediate - or Challenging. Another player shares the 'first letter' of the words shown on the card, and then reads the definitions, which are on the cards as they would appear in the dictionary. Once read, the timer is turned over and you now have 40 seconds to answer correctly. Players can only make one guess - so get it right the first time! Guess 1 word correctly to advance 1 space on the board. Guess 2 words to move 2 spaces. Get all 3 correct and you have made a WORD SWEEP and may now move 3 spaces for an Everyday card, 4 spaces for a Intermediate card or 5 spaces if you chose the Challenging card. Note: One variation we make in the game when playing with young and older players, is to eliminate the last step and make it three spaces for anyone getting a word sweep, making it more equal for all playing, as younger players are more reluctant to play a challenging card. However - when it is adults only - all bets off bud, you are going down!!!!!!! I think we have become addicted to this game, and see no 12 step program in sight to change that. It is fun to have a challenging word game to play that is totally different from the others on the game shelf. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP | Gold Award | Company Profile | Press Release |
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| Product: |
Yamodo |
Company: | Idea Storm Products |
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Playing Yamodo does not require a degree in art or science.
What it does take is a "degree" of creativity. Add to that mix a bit of
craziness and the game will be that much more fun!
To play Yamodo, players depict the meaning and the look of new words. Players choose a card. On this card there is a word. Below the word, there is the start of a drawing which will be what the word at the top looks like. Below the drawing portion, there are lines to write the definition of the word shown at the top. Players take turns adding to the drawing and the description until all players have had a turn and the word is now official. Fun for young and old, this is a game that is non competitive and a lot of fun for those days/evenings you just want to kick back and not have to think too hard. A lot of laughs will always be available when playing this game, as the drawings and definitions can get downright funny! <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP |
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Zotto |
Company: | Poppo Brands |
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Who doesn't like a good word game? Poppo Brands knows the answer to that question
and has come up with a fun new word game that is a lot of fun for all ages.
You will note below that it says recommended for ages 8 and up, but actually
any age that can spell basic 3-4 letter words will enjoy this game, as does
my 6 year old ... So leave this to your own judgment, based on your child's abilities.
Zotto brings the ever loved Popper to the game table. The letter dice inside sets the pace for the game. Play begins when the popper is popped, and players begin playing the letters popped, into their 4x4 grid scoresheet. The object is to carefully place the letters so they allow you to make as many 3-4 letter words as possible. Words may go up, down, sideways, backwards, etc. Words within words are also okay (such as law,lawn). Players may choose to opt out on up to 3 letters throughout the game. This is helpful when a letter comes up that is hard to incorporate into a word. Game play only takes 5-10 minutes and can be taken anywhere. The Poppo website has free downloads of scoresheets, so you do not have to try keeping up with your kids when they play you out of sheets quickly. This game has great educational value as well as being fun for the whole family. Zotto helps children build spelling and reading skills, as well as problem solving skills and strategic thinking. We have greatly enjoyed this game and the best part is it has no small pieces to easily lose and it is a fast game when children want to play a game close to bedtime. Not only that, as a parent I know it is of value to them when they play - an added bonus! This game is recommended for age 8 and up. <<<- (2007) RETURN TO TOP | Gold Award | Company Profile | Press Release |
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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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