The game begins with 17 pairs of tiles that feature the engaging characters from the Cogno games and books series. The object is to find as many matched pairs as possible — while preventing other players from finding them first. In Codebreaker, players use the included dry-erase markers to draw or write something on the backs of the cards they pick. Players delve into their lifetime of memories to create “codes” that help them remember where the game’s characters are hiding. The key is creating codes that others won’t guess … and the fun is guessing others’ codes.
— The original Cogno game was a huge hit for Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toy & Book Store in Scottsdale, Ariz. VIEW ARTICLE The game “is endlessly creative and interesting, because players draw from their lifetime of memories to write or draw secret reminders about the characters in the game. The key is making coded reminders for yourself that other players will not figure out!” Montaldo told TDmonthly. Award: 2006 Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children’s Products — Building on the success of the Cogno games, Codebreaker challenges memory and creativity while adding the fun of secrecy and (best of all) dry-erase markers! Since it’s basically “memory” with some scribbling, retailers can easily teach the game to customers and just as easily ring up the next sale. That winning combo won Codebreaker a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007 award.

Where to Buy: Berkira

Gleaned from the mythos of the wildly popular Cogno board game series, this is a series of eight books to be released featuring characters from the games. Book one, titled "Synapse," details the characters´ race to defeat a "grave threat" to the galaxy. The characters travel through space and nothing is what it seems.

Already named a Top 10 Game by Dr. Toy and recommended by the National Parenting Center, this underwater “CHALLENGE” version of the original Cogno board game has players race through an alien ocean game board, collecting survival gear and fuel cells by answering mind-bending questions (beyond trivia!) about how the universe works. A “Book of Y” explains all the science answers for the curious. Kids love the two game boards, cool characters, strategy and thought-provoking questions. Trish Garlock, owner of Treasured Child in La Grange, Ky., said customers keep renting the game from her store's game library and then calling in with credit card in hand to purchase via the phone. It's a top seller in her store, she said in January 2006.