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

Master Spy by STRATEGIC SPACE INC.

In this adaptation of the classic game “Battleship,” up to four players place five pegs in their upper pegboard to represent their spies' secret locations. At each turn, all the spies move and announce either where they were or are, attempting to capture enemy spies. At the end of each turn, a spy could be subtracted or added, or all players may have to manage a new group of spies. Master Spy is “a fast-paced, simple strategic game that tests your memory and cunning at a high price point that is still a great value,” CEO Mark Salzwedel of Strategic Space told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009. 12/7/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zombie Attack by STRATEGIC SPACE INC.

In this adaptation of the classic game “Clue,” zombies have followed players into a deserted mansion, and they must avoid them, find a key and escape. If the zombies get a player first, he or she turns into a zombie and must try to stop the other players from escaping. This light and entertaining strategy game is for up to six players. “With the growing popularity of zombie games, this is the easiest multiplayer strategy game to learn and has the unusual twist of having players turn on the others if they have been caught,” CEO Mark Salzwedel of Strategic Space told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007. 12/7/2007 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ducks in a Row™ by THINKFUN

This competitive board game is a wacky two-player strategy game for younger kids. They will giggle at the colorful beach board and plucky ducks. After deciding whether they want to be the duck that surfs or the one that water skis, the two opponents face off, and try to be the first to line up four ducks in a row. 12/5/2007 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

NCAA Football Hand-Off: The Card Football Board Game by CSE GAMES

The licensed NCAA Football board game combines the strategy and decision making of great classic card games with the drama and tension of college football. The game features 20 of the nation’s top schools. For one to four players, the game takes about 45 minutes to play. “The game is easy-to-learn, but has the depth and variety that will bring football fans back for more,” CSE Games President Fabio Del Rio told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008. 12/5/2007 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Vacationing Mania by KORNAMANIA

This sophisticated board game features an imaginative format and play that make the game a fascinating event for players of all types and ages. Relating to life’s possibilities, opportunities, and ups and downs generates life recollections while producing consistent excitement and the desire to participate. The game challenges players with a chance device that sets play in motion, and calls for the use of judgment and reasoning skills. 12/3/2007 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Altiustoons™ Bumpin' Die® DVD Board Game. by ALTIUS GAMES

Players race to help the seven little Altiustoons plan a space adventure and save the planet. The DVD features multiple levels of play for two to five players or teams. Players will enhance their matching and interacting skills, as well as learn about the environment and the constellations. Launch date: October 15, 2007. 11/30/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

University Games - Dr. Suess The Cat in the Hat Game by UNIVERSITY GAMES

In this 50th anniversary edition, players help the Cat clean up the house by matching colors and letters. “What makes Cat In the Hat so unique is its amazing ability to take the fun and excitement located within the pages of Dr. Seuss' “Cat In the Hat” and create a cool game that maintains that same pleasure and laughter. This board game will keep children intrigued and enthusiastic about reading and playing games,” Alexis Evans of University Games told TDmonthly. 11/28/2007 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Byzantine Chess by ALESSIO MINIATURES

This ancient version of chess was played on a round board long before Mad Queen (modern) Chess. The circular and square boards competed for more than a thousand years, and originally, the Queen was a glorified King, moving only two spaces in each direction. This two-player game adds excitement for any chess player: Imagine a castle putting a King in check from two different directions at the same time. It is no longer possible to fight one front battle. Each player must protect from the rear, because an opponent can attack from either side. 11/27/2007 (Price: $21.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Blunders™ - Make Learning Manners Fun by SUCCESSFUL KIDS INC.

The adorable characters of Becky, Bobby, Brenda and Billy Blunder revolutionize the way manners are taught. The game includes a game board, a story book and 300 fun and interactive charade, multiple-choice, scenario and true/false questions covering social and dining etiquette. “Blunders™ is the only board game on the market today that makes learning manners interactive and fun!” Successful Kids Inc. President Aimee Symington told TDmonthly. This game has received the following awards: Dr. Toy, National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, iParenting Media, Creative Child Preferred Choice, Mr. Dad Seal of Approval, eChoice, and The Toy Man Award of Excellence and Seal of Approval. Launch date: February 17, 2008.
— "I've loved the Blunders Game from the moment I was introduced to it.  Now you can reinforce manners at one of the places where manners are key.  Manner Mats takes the blunders concept and turns it into a set of 38  table mats. The mats include tones of games including word searches, challenges, multiple choice, what is wrong with the picture, complete the sentence and many more. Another innovative way to teach manners without having to point your finger," Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2009 ( Watch Video) 11/27/2007 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beyond Chess Set by BEYOND CHESS

Beyond Chess comes with everything you need to play. The board is made of 64 high-quality, solid, plastic squares that measure 1.5"x1.5"x.25" and accommodate most chess pieces, plus two extra squares. This set includes standard Staunton-design chess pieces, a 12-page instruction booklet and a sturdy nylon backpack-style carrying bag. ( Watch Video) 11/21/2007 (Price: $34.99)

What's a DAME to do?!™ by games for dames™ by sisters 2 inc.

In this premiere edition of What’s a Dame to do?!, designed for two to eight female players, the answer is in the cards. Each player gets a turn in the spotlight, and participants try to earn points by correctly guessing players’ reactions to Dame Dilemmas. “What's a Dame to do?! is aimed at fun-loving, sassy adult women of all ages and lifestyles. This includes co-eds, 20- and 30-somethings taking it out for girls' night, at-home moms having a girls’ night in, and female family members playing together even with hip grandma. It's not a 'talk about your feelings and experiences' game like others out there,” Co-inventor Kerri Neubek of Sisters 2 Inc. told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 11/21/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JARTS™ by FUNDEX GAMES

The classic lawn game has returned for more backyard fun. Players take turns tossing two safe Jarts into the target ring 35 feet away. Score a ringer and nab three points. The player closest to the ring earns one point. This aerodynamic take on Horseshoes is guaranteed to save backyard barbecues, one toss at a time!  Includes four Jarts, two target rings and instructions. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: January 2008. 11/19/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hip Hop Scotch by FUNDEX GAMES

Old school meets new school in this modern take on hop scotch.  No game has to ever be the same.  Players can even change the course after jumping and add movements like a 360° or touching the ground.  Take Hop Scotch to the next level and make each game more challenging and fun.  Play can be adapted for all ages.  Includes 22 hip hop mats and instructions. 11/19/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Phase 10® Twist by FUNDEX GAMES

Phase 10 Twist is a wickedly wild board game of risk, reward and terrific twists.  Based on one of the world’s best-selling card games – Phase 10, players complete rummy phases to move around the board.  Players landing on the unique TWIST space mush make choices which if successful, can offer big rewards or failure.  Three discard piles increase strategy and speed of play.  To win a player must complete one of 10 brand new phases!  It’s twisted from start to finish.  Includes game board, discard and draw card tray, two decks of Phase 10 cards, 1 deck of Twist Phase 10 cards, Twist Phase 10 card holder, 6 player pieces and instructions. 11/19/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

When Pigs Fly by FUNDEX GAMES

Blast-off into “Hog Heaven” and make the impossible; possible in the game “When Pigs Fly.”  Keep the kids squealing for hours when pigs are launched out of a cannon high into the sky, soaring in the clouds.  On each turn, players send a pig flying, add a pig to their pen, or give one of their pigs to another player.  The first person to get rid of all their pigs is the winner.  Includes 12 pigs, motorized spinning game board and instructions. 11/19/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

World War II Chess Set by FAME (USA) PRODUCTS INC.

World War II Chess Set featuring Franklin D Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler. 11/14/2007 (Price: $65.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mexican/Chicken Train Game Set by FAME (USA) PRODUCTS INC.

Double 12 Dominos with a center hub, mini train markers, "choo-choo" train keychain, and instructions. 11/14/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Say What? by RADICA GAMES

The aim of this board game is to unravel a mixed up situation; in this case, it’s a phrase from popular culture that has been sliced up into five different segments. Each of the coloured domes on top of the crescent-shaped game deck represents one of these segments, and it is the player’s job to rearrange them from their initial, muddled positions to the correct phrase. In each round the balls light up from left to right, with voices speaking the jumbled phrase accordingly; player’s then rush in a crazed panic to swap them around before they forget what each stands for. Smacking the ‘Solve button’ at the end of the game shows kids which answers they got right. 11/12/2007 (Price: $50.83) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Golden Balls by VIVID IMAGINATIONS

From the hit TV game show, Golden Balls is a game of luck, intuition and barefaced bluff. Grab the cash and avoid those dreaded Killer Balls that can turn millions into cents in seconds. The game is different every time. Requires 3 x AA batteries (not included). 11/12/2007 (Price: $40.66) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? by PARKER BROTHERS

Based on the hit game show, this game features Jeff Foxworthy and five 5th Graders putting ordinary adults to the test by having them answer real questions from the 5th grade curriculum. The fun is that a 10-year-old has just as much chance of knowing the answers as his or her parent. 11/12/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Senet: The Ancient Tomb Treasures Game by MAZEOLOGY

For thousands of years, Senet was the most popular game in the ancient world ― until the rule book was lost. This game of Senet introduces a modern rule book, a colorful game board and 10 beautiful playing pieces. Easier than chess and more complicated than checkers, this two-player game is a combination of strategy and luck. It's simple enough for a 5-year-old to learn, yet interesting enough for adults. The hand-painted playing pieces are phthalate- and lead-free.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award ( Watch Video) 11/9/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

First Impressions by FAMILY PASTIMES

The game that has everyone talking!

Often we form first impressions of each other based on what someone likes or dislikes, or how they look or speak. This game, in a non-competitive, relaxed and friendly format, allows players to describe these first impressions using the Special Idea Cards provided. The Cards are sometimes serious, sometimes playful and humorous. Always thought-provoking.

Some suggested uses:

Ice-breaker & socializer
Focus point for conferences
Classroom aid to nurture communication skills
Seniors recreation time

Get to know each other! Share some laughs. A great resource for groups of young & old. Play quickly or take your time. Easily adapts to all situations. Never worry about being eliminated or losing.

Includes: 10 personal charts, 220 card themes, rules.

4-20 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $7.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Taxi! by FAMILY PASTIMES

Everyone is a driver working for the Yellow Bird Taxi Company. Each driver takes a shift driving the Taxi, doing your best for the company and leaving the Taxi in good shape for the next driver.

The object of the game is to deliver as many of the 15 customers as you can to their destinations, and earn as much money as you can.

The game ends in one of two ways. All the customers get delivered, or your taxi gets hauled off the road with too many Demerit Points against it.

There's lots to do before the night is over besides just delivering fares to their destinations. Events are happening all over the city, while there are speeding tickets to deal with, grabbing that necessary cup of coffee when you get tired, getting through traffic jams, past construction sites, watching out for thieves, keeping an eye on the gas gauge or fixing failing brakes.

It will be a night to remember, no matter what happens!

Includes: 17 x 17" board, Yellow Bird Taxi card, sets of where, event, special places and gear cards, money, taxi mover, pawn, daily record card, rules for easy and hard games.

1-8 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $16.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hotel Ritz by FAMILY PASTIMES

The players are a team of House Detectives coordinating their efforts to prevent a gang of sophisticated Thieves from stealing the Hotel Guests' Valuables, worth Millions.

We have Surveillance Cameras, Burglar Alarms, Handcuffs, sets of Fake Valuables, and Brilliant Minds (that's us) to assist in our fight against Crime. With a bit of luck, lots of cleverness, and good Teamwork, losses will be little or nil.

But we must not underestimate those Thieves. Just look at their plush Hideout loaded with Goodies. They know how to use the Elevators and Hallways to advantage. They are Specialists in thieving particular Valuables — although there is one who knows no limits and will steal everything.

Millions of dollars are at stake, not to mention lots of Reward money. It is up to us to outfox the foxes and teach them that Crime doesn't pay, no matter how slick and greedy you are.

Includes: 17 x 17" board, 8 kinds of valuables, 6 thieves, 6 thieves' hideouts, 9 stopper cards, jail, rules for basic and harder games.

1-8 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $12.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Eyes of the Jungle by FAMILY PASTIMES

Trouble is stirring in the jungle. Village children have disappeared, temples have been robbed, rare animals captured...

A call for help reaches our hidden camp. We slip into the dark and dangerous Interior. Our mission is to protect and save. We are the eyes and ears of the jungle — the Jungle Rangers. Skill and cleverness will be needed to make the rescues and return alive. Imaginations will be challenged because we must use whatever resources we find to overcome the deadly dangers. But our very best resource is ourselves, working as a team, eyes and ears for each other. Careful thinking, bold imagination and cooperative teamwork are encouraged.

A different adventure each time. Tricky strategies entice adults as well. Take great care, amigos!

Includes: 13" x 18" board, valuables, dangers, resources, special chart.

1-10 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $10.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]