TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Board Games Product Category

Christmas Party Gift Exchange Game by ZUNKER INC.

Whether used to break the ice at a party or just create fun memories over the holidays, this game requires players to bring a gift. After all the gifts are unwrapped in round 1, participants keep rolling the dice, passing gifts, losing them and even "Zunkering" them, trying to get a final turn in before time runs out. 1/21/2009 (Price: $24.99)

Traders of Carthage by Z-MAN GAMES, INC.

The goal of this two- to four-player game is to buy goods at market in Carthage and successfully sell them to merchants overseas while collecting achievement tokens and avoiding being raided by pirates. Playing time is 30 to 45 minutes. The games includes the following: a gameboard, 108 cards, 12 wooden pieces, 48 achievement tokens and rules. Launch date: 2008. 1/21/2009 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Comet® The Fast Path To Learning - Children's Game Cards by ACTIVE MINDS INC

Comet® offers an exciting and fun way to learn spelling, based on dictionary meanings, world facts, geography, science, history, health and animals. This expansion deck is designed for children ages 8 to 10 covering the same themes as the Family Edition of Comet.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy. 1/14/2009 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DGT Electronic Chessboard by DGT NORTH AMERICA

The DGT Electronic Chessboard is an accurate and fast chess-move input device for the computer paired with a wood board. You can play against your favorite chess program or an Internet opponent, plus broadcast chess games over the Internet. The games are automatically stored in the board's memory during play and can be retrieved later as PGN. The beautiful, inlaid-wood board features official FIDE tournament-size squares (5.5 x 5.5 cm) and is only 1.8 cm thick (the same as a normal chessboard). The board comes with classic Staunton wooden chess pieces with a king height of 95mm (3.75"). The board can also be connected to a DGT XL Clock (not included). 1/13/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Static Soccer by NUBIA GAMES COMPANY

Nubia Games Company's innovative board game is an electronic soccer game, which applies the fundamentals of physics to provide players with educative and exciting soccer game play. This board game combines core electronic technology with manual applications to make it all soccer, but only on a smaller scale. 1/13/2009 (Price: $50.00)

Vise Verses by M.J.N. ENTERPRISE

Designed to develop strong values and teach children and adults about the Bible by instilling in them scripture, this game accommodates two to six players. Questions range from simple to complex, and the goal of the game is to collect the most angels to win. "They're having fun and scriptures are being installed, and that's why kids like it so much," Michael Neely, inventor of Vice Verses, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 1/8/2009 (Price: $22.00)

Dare to Lead! by DARE TO LEAD

Dare to Lead! is an interactive board game that develops leadership skills, critical thinking, and problem solving. Dare to Lead! is a flexible new learning tool for students and adults. It can be used for leadership classes, CAPP classes, Planning 10, retreats (school and corporate), and individual lesson topics. This game is designed for individuals and groups to work their way through questions that require problem solving ability, the power of persuasion, group dynamics and co-operation, taking a stand on issues or dilemmas, and creative thinking. ( Watch Video) 12/24/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Consensus® Movie Edition by MINDLOGIC INC.

In this Movie Edition of Consensus®, launching in March 2009, the object of the game remains the same as in the original Consensus®, but the central theme of the game revolves around movies. Game play is driven by questions of opinion regarding movies. ( Watch Video) 12/24/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Horse-Opoly by LATE FOR THE SKY PRODUCTION

Instead of trading houses, horse paraphernalia is the currency in this variation of Monopoly.  Swap bales of hay for barns while moving pieces shaped like saddles, boots and horseflies around the board. 12/23/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Triviathon by JEEZLE PETE'S! LLC

TRIVIATHON... fast-paced trivia for smart AND stupid people! Triviathon will have players singing, dancing, arm wrestling, cheering, cheating, and more as they compete in a game that puts each player's  cognitive, physical, and social skills to the test, while they try to win a race moving at speeds of 0, 1, 2, or 3 spaces based on trivia questions they don’t even have to know the answers to. Made in the USA, this game is designed for 2 to 12 players. Triviathon has received the following awards: Creative Child Magazine’s 2009 Game of the Year; PTPA Media 2009; iParenting Media Award 2009; The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2009, NAPPA Honors 2009; and Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009.
— "A trivia game that you can win without having to know the answers.  Now some of us might agree that that is our kind of trivia game.  Super fun and fast paced.  A great choice for family game night.  My own children are going to love this game!!" Jennifer Shuman, of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2009 ( Watch Video) 12/19/2008 (Price: $29.99)

Mankala Game Board (Archeology/Excavation Kit) by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

The genuinely antique-looking Mankala Game Board has to be excavated, painted and polished in order to display the antique look. It includes 50 scarab game pieces, a wooden chisel, brushes, paints and intstructions (as well as the ancient history of the game). Launch date: November 3, 2008. 12/19/2008 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Backseat Drawing Junior by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

Backseat Drawing is fun for the whole family. Players race to identify what the artist is drawing. But, the artist doesn’t know what he or she is drawing; the artist can only follow the instructions given by the director. The excitement continues as players attempt to follow directions and guess what the picture might be. Launch date: 2009. 12/12/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Charge Large Board Game by HASBRO INC.

Charge Large comes along just in time to provide society with an educational and entertaining board game about credit cards. The goal of Charge Large is to increase competition among players as they battle against each other to be become part of an elite class of Black Card Members.  Players begin with their entry level Gold Credit Card and Cash to set forth on their journey to purchase companies, stocks, buildings and most importantly to Charge Smart while Charging Large. Ultimately, Charge Large teaches players not to fear credit cards, but simply learn how to leverage themselves wisely. It is therefore time for society to practice how to Charge Large Responsibly! ( Watch Video) 12/12/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Endango™ by ELASTIC EARTH LLC

Endango™ is an environmental board game that teaches kids how to go green.  With a unique game strategy, it links children's behaviors to their indirect environmental consequence – the fate of endangered animals. When playing the game, each player is responsible for three endangered animals in an environment.  The points players earn as they navigate the human track affect the fate of the endangered animals in their environment.  Positive points for “green behavior and knowledge” help save the animals; negative points for “less environmentally friendly behaviors” move the animals toward extinction. This product received a 2009 Parents' Choice Recommended Award. ( Watch Video) 12/12/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cycle-opoly by LATE FOR THE SKY PRODUCTION

CYCLE-OPOLY shows that a bicycle is more than just a pedal-and-chain-driven, human-powered vehicle with two wheels — it’s one of the greatest inventions of all time and it’s a whole lot of fun. Even on a rainy day, players can go exploring. "The board includes every style of bike imaginable along with some of the country’s greatest rides," Carla Miller of Late for the Sky told TDmonthly. "The six, 100-percent lead-free pewter custom tokens for CYCLE-OPOLY feature a sprocket, bike horn, water bottle, bike helmet, cycling shoe and, of course, a bicycle." Launch date: August 14, 2008. 12/8/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Consensus® by MINDLOGIC INC.

Consensus is not a trivia game or a strategy game. It is a game about opinions that allows its participants to express themselves as individuals or as part of a group. Ideal for parties or family settings, the game has a subtle, yet strong, educational component. Consensus consists of 300 Noun Cards, 100 Adjective Cards and 80 Voting cards. An average game lasts about 30 minutes. Although Consensus can be played with as few as three players, the greatest benefit can be derived when there are five or more players participating. The more players, the more opinions, and hence, the more debating and bonding that takes place. Launch date: August 2008.
— "This fun and fast-paced social game takes about a minute to learn and requires no prior knowledge of anything whatsoever," Marshall Chrein, CEO of Mindlogic, told TDmonthly. "It is a game where you can learn how your friends and family view all sorts of things." ( Watch Video) 11/25/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ninja versus Ninja by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

In Ninja versus Ninja, players must lead a team of six Ninjas to victory by eliminating all of their opponents or by venturing into the rival dojo and returning safely. However, while Ninjas are rewarded for venturing further into the opponent’s dojo, they also run the risk of being eliminated themselves!  A Ninja Master and a Shadow Ninja assist players in tracking their progress. Ninja versus Ninja contains 14 Ninja figures, 2 Ninja Master Figures and 2 unique sword dice. Launch date: 2008. ( Watch Video) 11/18/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

10 Days in Africa by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

Players have ten days to chart a course across Africa—touring by car, plane or foot. Using clever planning and a little luck, players attempt to be the first traveler to make connections for a complete ten day journey. Also available in Europe, Asia and USA editions. For two to four players. Launch date: 2008. 11/18/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gold Digger by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

Gold Digger sets two to five anxious prospectors on a quest to find their fortunes in gold. Picking the right mines will yield a conucopia of riches, but players must beware of fool's gold! This game has received the following awards: 2004 Traditional Games 100, 2004 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, and Canadian Toy Testing Council Three Star Award. Launch date: 2003. 11/18/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wheedle by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

In a flurry of no-holds-barred trading, only the crafiest players will survive in this stock-taking, deal-making game. The first player claiming majority control is the winner. "The players control the entire game," Leah Osterhaus, VP of marketing for Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. It has won the following awards: 2004 Games 100, 2004 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, 2004 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Product, 2004 Parenting for High Potential Recommended, and 2004 Canadian Toy Testing Council Three Star Award. Launch date: 2004. 11/18/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crazy Cat Lady Game by ACCOUTREMENTS

In this exciting board game, players attempt to collect more cats than their fellow competitors as they make their way around the board. Players gain more cats by landing on spaces such as “Save a Cat Stuck in a Tree” and “Rescue Grumpy Old Cat From Pound.” But watch out for spaces that take cats from you, such as “Beware of Dog” and “Kitten Distracted by Bit of Fluff.” It includes a gameboard with spinner, four game pieces with plastic stands, 50 5/8" (1.6 cm) plastic cats and four Wildcat cards. Measurements of the illustrated, shrink-wrapped box are 8.5" x 9.5" x 1.75". Launch date: October 1, 2008. 11/18/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Impact by POOF-SLINKY INC.

Kids can track the ball, take aim, swing the weight, IMPACT and score. In this game of skill and eye-hand coordination, players may swing too soon or too late and miss. Timing a swing just right earns points, and the highest score wins. Launch date: 2009. 11/13/2008 (Price: $27.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Big Shot by POOF-SLINKY INC.

Kids can make trick shots just like the pros, amazing and challenging their friends as well as themselves. The product is easy to assemble and comes with step-by-step instructions. Launch date: 2009. 11/13/2008 (Price: $45.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jishaku by RSV PRODUCTIONS INC.

This portable strategy game is similar to chess or checkers, but with a twist — the magnetic stones with unmarked north and south poles can jump out of their position at any point during the game, giving players a whole new element of challenge. "Jishaku" is the Japanese term for "magnet." The game received a 2008 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, an iParenting Media Award, a Major Fun Award and a Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. Launch date: June 3, 2008.
— Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City sells about 20 per month of this game, Buyer Casey Sartain told TDmonthly in fall 2009. ( Watch Video) 11/11/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Comet® The Fast Path To Learning - Bible Edition by ACTIVE MINDS INC

Comet® Bible Edition offers an exciting and fun way to learn spelling and amazing facts about characters, angels, events and scripture. This particular version features questions and multiple choice answers such as "Who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds?" and "The spirit of God is described as descending like this." DOVE sparrow eagle raven. Multiple choice answers and an element of risk ensure everyone has a chance to win. Comet® has received awards from The Toy Man Online and Creative Child Magazine. "Spelling is very important, and far too few games offer this concept. Critical skill development is crucial, important and necessary to develop good educational performance," Creator Sandy Evans of Active Minds Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: Fall 2008.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy. ( Watch Video) 10/29/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]