May 2010 Notable Toys — Board Games

This eco-friendly board game has children compete to create their very own garden. Each player travels around the board visiting different vendors to pick up vegetables, flowers, herbs, and more for their garden. The first to gather all items and head home to tend to their garden wins. Game board folds out to 18x18" and all game pieces are made without plastics.  For 2 to 4 players.

Customization is an emerging trend for board games in 2010, with LEGO’s launch of its game line and HASBRO’s U-Build Games. U-Build Mouse Trap puts a space age spin on Mouse Trap by sending the mice into orbit in search of the fabled moon made of cheese. Kids can move U-Build cheese bricks around the board to, as the saying goes, build a better mouse trap. Launch date: Fall 2010.

As part of LEGO’s entry into the board game category, Monster 4 combines the strategy and play of a game with the building and rebuilding of LEGO. In this game, players take control of and attempt to line up monsters, including werewolves and skeletons. Once children have mastered the basic game, they can use the included LEGO elements or bricks from their own collection to change the dice, board, and rules for endless gameplay possibilities. Launch date: March 2010

Using the two captivating books included in CHESS: Once A Pawn A Time, this kit is designed to help children enjoy learning and playing chess. The endearing chess characters and story-book style are created to engage them in the game. "This imaginative approach to teaching chess was developed by author Patzi Stewart over her 20 years as a chess teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area. The box opens so that customers can examine the books and understand the uniqueness of this chess product prior to purchase," Rachael Norman, Sales, Norman & Globus, Inc., told TDmonthly. Awards: 2010 Dr. Toy Best Toys Award. Launch date: February 15, 2010.

CATTURA is played with Italian cards — the player to collect the most cards wins The Royals on the board stop the players from collecting cards, and players must fight them off in order to win the game. "The imported Italian cards set this game apart from any other," Kristine Troiano, Owner, Italian Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

The object of Cattura is to "capture" as many cards as you can. The player with the most cards wins. Cattura comes with imported Italian cards and instructions on how to play.

The Best Party Game is a provocative adult board game that challenges players to get out of their social comfort zone with personal questions and crazy activities. It’s not about trivia, or strategy, or guessing; it’s all about what’s true for you. Not for the faint of heart, the questions and activities here are specifically designed to make everyone squirm.

Past Videos:
ChiTag 2009

These are hard plastic 28mm multi-part figures for wargamers, modelers and collectors. It's the first set in the Hammer of the Gods Dark Ages range and features 24 multi-pose Vikings. Award: 2009 Reader's Choice Award - 2nd Place Tabletop Gaming News. Launch date: October 2009.

The Sketch Jr is Hi-Tec Art LLC's most versatile version of Hi-Tec Art. It runs on three AA batteries and is very lightweight and portable. Includes patented technology that lets the user "play" with LEDs. There are three versions of this toy: Camo for boys, Flower Power for girls, and Games for kids of all ages. "The technology is brand new, the possibilities are endless, and kids absolutely love bringing light to their art!" Roy Smith, CEO, Hi-Tec Art, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 5, 2010.

Players must carefully weave their pieces past each other to Home (the opposite corner). A traffic jam will lose the game for everyone. Tactics involve self-sacrifice, luck of the dice and cleverness in using the opportunities that Chance provides. The game is designed with the "feel"it of backgammon. For younger players, it can be set up with fewer pieces. For serious strategists, the game can be recorded as players delve into the intricate world of openings, and mid and endgame tactics. It includes a 12" x 12" board, four sets of colored wooden pieces, dice and illustrated rules.

The players of this cooperative game are shepherds and farmers who put as many sheep and lambs to pasture as they safely can, but from time to time the coyotes come around. They are tricky, but not always as clever as the farmers, who have barn space and the help of their trusty Sheep Dog and Amazing LLama to protect the flock. As Night approaches, players have to be especially alert and ready to work as a team. The game includes a 12" x 12" board; 55 sheep, coyote, dog and llama cards; 35 time of day cards; and rules for basic and advanced games. Launch date: October 2009.

In this party game, gamers must place Movie titles and TV shows in sequential order by wide release or air date before the time's up. Can players sort "Cheers," "Frazier" and "Seinfeld" in correct order sequence from the date they first premiered on the silver screen? Added play elements such as “Critic’s Corner” and “Rapid Reels” exist to make game play all the more fun. The first player to collect all the letter cards that spell ROLL’EM! wins. Launch date: 2010.

ThriveTime for Teens is the first-of-its-kind money and life reality board game just for teens. Offering a fun, interactive and family-fun approach to empowering teens with the basic financial skills, each decision in the game either drives you to thriving success or diving debt. The game delivers real-life experiences with credit cards, jobs, work/life balance, time management, charity, savings and effective communication.

In this game, players try to concoct believable descriptions of more than 150 inventions straight from the U.S. patent office, and then guess which explanations are correct. It includes cards with pictures of some very unusual creations.