December 2012 Notable Toys — Family Games

Players slip a photo into the clear Photoholder and draw. Players must get their teammates to guess what they're drawing, right on top of the photo. The photos help give their scribbles context, but it's not as easy as one may think; some things players have got to draw might seem obvious, but only to them. They've got 90 seconds to draw as many items from the list as they can, and then collect a Phototoken for each correct guess by their team. A secret red-reveal panel keeps everybody honest, dry-erase markers allow them to play over and over, and play is fast and hilarious. Launch date: November 2011.
Awards: 2012 Game of the YEAR (Party games category) from Creative Child Magazine

A game for 4 players in which players attempt to give their opponent clues from a list of words that all relate to the secret hidden word. First team to guess the hidden word wins the round and first to win three wins the game. The challenge is to make sure players don't give the easiest clues too early or their opponents may steal the word. Launch date: July 2012.
Awards: 2012 Games Magazine TOP 100 - Word game category

Two players co-star as they attempt to get the audience to guess 6 phrases. Trouble is, each only has half the phrase and it's up to the audience players to put it all together. Lots of laughs and fun in this charageous game for 3-8 players. Launch date: July 2012.
Awards: 2012 Games Magazine Top 100 - Party games category

Who will pluck the most popular pairs? Each player gets 60 seconds to pair up 11 images at the same time. 5 pairs and one bad apple. Players gain points by matching the most other players with the same pairs. Launch date: July 2012.
Awards: 2012 - Best Party game of the Year from Games Magazine; 2012 - Best Family Game of the Year from Creative Child.

I Go! is a fast-paced game that gets the entire family thinking on their feet. Players quickly draw cards in turns, trying to improve their hand. If a player things their card is the best, they declare “I Go!” Being alert and astute will help players win this game. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2012 6/6 Consumer Guide of Canada

Sonny the Seal moves and sounds like a real seal. Toss rings around Sonny’s bobbing head. When a ring lands around Sonny’s neck, he claps and barks to cheer. For every ring that lands around Sonny’s neck, the player gets a fish reward. The first player to get three fish is the winner.
— As of 10/15/2012 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com.

Enjoy hours of fun with the Bop It Smash from Hasbro Toys. This toy features 3 game modes: solo, pass it and multiplayer. In solo mode, kids can play by themselves, smashing the lights as they appear slowly at first, then faster with every round. Pass it play allows friends to join in the fun as kids pass the toy between 2 to 6 players. In multiplayer mode, players will challenge others to pit their skills against their own.

The moment a card is drawn,quickly imitate the card hands pattern. The last one is the loser. Be aware of any illogical hand combinations. Can be played by up to 8 players...or even more. Launch date: February 2012.

Make a million and win the Monopoly Millionaire game. It's just like the classic property-trading game, but with a new twist. Everything's worth a lot more and there are more ways to play. Players pay rent, buy houses, collect their salary and buy properties just like the classic Monopoly game. But in Monopoly Millionaire, there's no need to bankrupt everybody. The first player to make a million dollars wins. Launch date: 2012.

Chocolate cards are played and nabbed, and played and nabbed right back. Players score points by reasoning out which confectionary card combinations will give them the most sweet satisfaction. TOOTHACHE cards, CARROT cards, and BOX-O-CHOCOLATES cards keep the game lively and surprising.

Sugary-scented bubble gum cards and bubble blowing thrills in a playful strategy game. Kids lay down their bubble gum cards in number order, and watch their bubble grow. If opponents play a "POP" card, the other player's bubble will burst. Luckily, they've got snitch cards and special bubble protector tokens on their side. Launch date: August 2012.

Urbania is a game of city renewal where players try their hand as a famous urban planner who is working on the re-development of a run-down city. To accomplish the job players must: hire the best specialists and designers. They must submit plans and create blueprints. Players must construct new and dynamic buildings to bring the city back to its former glory. If players can manage your projects well, they will become the most renowned planner and take credit for the city’s amazing turnaround. Launch date: 2012.

Keeping family and friends gathered around the holiday table doesn't take a miracle - just great questions. "What three values does your family cherish most?" and "What is the best Chanukah gift you have ever received?" are two of the 82 questions on these conversation-starting cards. Make way through the deck to share holiday memories, and create a new tradition with this box of 82 conversation-starters.

A House Divided simulates the epic struggle of the American Civil War that was fought over the twin issues of slavery and state's rights. The period from 1840 to 1861 saw these issues brought to a boil, and in 1861 the nation became tangled in a terrible war that lasted four long years. The game depicts the war between North and South from the First Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas Junction) to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse (or Grant’s surrender at Harrisburg…). Each player leads one of these two nations and makes the strategic decisions which determine the outcome of the war. The game board represents the United States, north and south and from the Atlantic coast to just west of the Mississippi. Including Missouri, Iowa, Illinois Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. The play map contains a number of boxes, each representing a city, town or locations important to the war. These boxes are connected by transportation lines – blue for rivers, tan for roads and black for railroads – which provide the paths to victory or defeat. Playing Time: 60 minutes. Launch date: 2012.

STAR TREK CATAN® transports the timeless game concept of the world’s most acclaimed board game—THE SETTLERS OF CATAN—into the exciting Star Trek universe. The popular characters of the Starship Enterprise come into play through novel new “support cards.” Build, trade and settle where no one has gone before. Launch date: 2012.
— As of 09/13/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Same playing concept as the old Catan, but uses fun Star Strek elements; New development cards enhance the game.

Enjoy quality time with all members of the family by piecing together this puzzle of Garfield dressed up in outrageously humorous and colorful outfits featuring professions, historical characters and sports figures. There's more than 80 different Garfield characters to find and piece together in this 500 piece puzzle. With over 2 million Facebook fans online, Garfield continues to enjoy a devoted following all around the world. Launch date: September 2012.

Humor from The New Yorker magazine on a puzzle. Featuring an illustration of a disgruntled dog dressed up in a Santa outfit, this 500 piece puzzle is sure to liven up the holidays for all members of the family. Frame the puzzle when it's done for a great piece of wall art for the home. Made in the USA from recycled chipboard. Launch date: September 2012.

For the first time ever, piece together Jan Brett's beautiful illustrations at home. This 300 piece jigsaw puzzle makes a great holiday gift for children and adults alike. Read along with Jan Brett's wonderful story book "The Night Before Christmas" while piecing together this beautiful puzzle with the children. Made in the USA. Launch date: September 2012.

Crunch a Color Conversation Starters brings the whole family together at mealtime by inspiring creative thinking and healthy discussions. Chock-full of curious questions and delightful dilemmas, these 104 conversation starters help kids share their thoughts, grow their ideas, and make mealtime fun. Developed with teachers, parents and kids, Crunch a Color® Conversation Starters spark interesting, open-ended discussions that are engaging for kids (and adults) of all ages.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
— As of 1/17/2013 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com.

This all new Wobble Deck is an electronic balance board that features four fun balance games that challenge the mind and body. Games include: Copy Wobble, Memory Wobble, Wobbly Statues, and Musical Wobble. Base detaches to become a portable handheld game. Fun for the whole family.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys