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

My Giant Floor Puzzle™: Big Builder by INNOVATIVEKIDS

The interactive, read-along storybook comes with a 5’ x 5’ floor puzzle that transforms into an enormous game board. The game includes vehicle game pieces and construction worker game pieces. Each My Giant Floor Puzzle emphasizes essential learning skills such as object recognition, matching and counting. The puzzle’s built-in handle makes the game easy to store or transport. Launch date: September 2007. 6/20/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KiDS ScoreCard: 2007 Inaugural Edition - Yankees by KIDS SCORECARD LLC

Each KiDS ScoreCard reusable sticker cling and game board set includes team logos, baseball stickers and 20 players’ clings, as well as a playing field and scoring sections. It allows individuals to follow their favorite sports, teams and players, whether at a game, on the road or at home, and is ideal for collecting, playing and trading. “It is the first collectible that can be used at the game and as a game!” Richard L. Vickroy, director of operations for KiDS ScoreCard, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 1, 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/20/2007 (Price: $4.99)

Can't Stop by FACE 2 FACE

This fast-paced, decision-making game for two to four players becomes more suspenseful with each roll of the dice. One bad roll can wipe out an entire turn’s progress, but passing the dice to an opponent may mean giving up the game. Players size each other up, calculate the odds, and roll: in the end, the dice decide. This game by Sid Jackson features transparent dice and an iconic board in sturdy red plastic. Launch date: April 2007. 6/6/2007 (Price: $30.00)

Revelations II by GAMES PLAY UK

Ever fancied having your future told by one of the worlds finest metaphysicians? This game was invented by Mr. Richard De Meath who has read some of the most famous people’s cards in the world — one being Bill Clinton; another, Princess Diana; and the list goes on. This is a beautifully crafted board game that will allow you to choose your element of which you want to know about. Will you have a good future, love, money and health? Available for World Wide License. 5/30/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chakra Energy by SPIRALING HEARTS

With this game, two to six players can energize all seven chakra centers in their bodies by doing yoga poses. Participants learn the name, location, color and symbol of each chakra and how it relates to life. A portion of all Spiraling Hearts proceeds is donated to children's charities. This product is a 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award winner. 5/24/2007 (Price: $29.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

University Games - Smart Ass by UNIVERSITY GAMES

In this fast-paced trivia game for two to eight players, each Who, What and Where Am I? card has 10 clues, and the first player to yell out the correct answer moves one step closer to being the ultimate "Smart Ass." The first player to reach the target in the center of the board wins. Contents include a game board, eight donkey playing pieces, 490 questions, one category die, one movement die and instructions. This product won the 2007 Game of the Year Award from the Australian Games Association. "It's funny, fast-paced ... takes less than 30 minutes and there are no turns!" Matthew Crovitz of University Games told TDmonthly. "[It] was invented by Rob Elliot — the longtime host of Wheel of Fortune in Australia, a man who knows a thing or two about trivia and fun." Launch date: February 2007. 5/23/2007 (Price: $22.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Argue! by UNIVERSITY GAMES

The popular family pastime of arguing has become an outrageous party game, and all participants need to win is an opinion. The debate never ends as players argue over a number of topics in six categories: Pop Culture, Overrated, Anything Goes, Silly, Food and Pick Your Favorite. Players argue back and forth for 2 1/2 minutes and score points by winning votes from other players. The game contains a board, 100 topic cards with a total of 1,000 topics, 50 distraction cards, 12 advocate and devil's advocate cards, a stopwatch, 12 voting tokens and six playing pieces. The game is for three to six players. Launch date: October 2006. 5/23/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sight Word Swamp Ready to Read Kit 2 by BRIGHT MINDS

This teaching aid is designed to assist beginner readers in learning to read sight words. It is designed by Australian teachers with consideration of the English syllabus and includes the following: playing cards and board game that help teach children to read sight words, five game pieces for jumping from lilypad to lilypad, and an A2 poster of common sight words needed to read. Launch date: June 2007. 5/23/2007 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Identity Board Game by PRESSMAN TOY CORP.

Like on NBC’s popular TV show “Identity,” each contestant sees 12 stranger cards and is given identities to match up. The most obvious match-up is announced first, and there are two helps the contestant can use in a pinch. Mistaken Identity allows the contestant to get one match-up wrong without being forced out of the game. In Tri-Dentity, the host shows the contestant three strangers, one of whom has the identity in question. The player with the most money at the end wins. Contents include 100 stranger cards, a stage, 12 stranger stands, a wipe-off money board and stand, a wipe-off pen, instructions and a solution booklet. A card game version (MSRP: $10.00) is also available. Launch date: Summer 2007. 5/7/2007 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gemlok by PYWACKET GAMES

Claim the most precious gems and build your fortune. Roll the dice, move your pawns by following the patterns on the dice, and capture your gems. You finally land on a diamond, a ruby and two emeralds. But now you must keep them from being taken by another player. You must roll a “GEMLOK” to make them yours to keep (when rolling GEMLOK, flip your pawn over to display the “GEMLOK” symbol and lock your pawn - hopefully onto a high value gem). Each player attempts to capture the highest value gems with their eight pawns, and will compete with other player’s strategies before securing their fortune.  Players attempt to bump their opponent’s “unlocked” pawns, claim their gems, and send them up to three spaces away from the high value gems. Players may also bump themselves in a strategic move, up to three spaces onto a higher value gem. The player with the highest total value of gems wins.  Game play 25-35 minutes. Winner of Mensa Select, GAMES100, Creative Child Family Strategy Game of the Year, Canadian Toy Testing Council “Best Bet Award”, iParenting Outstanding Product Award and Major Fun Thinking Award. Gemlok “is easy to learn, yet contains some nice strategy. It appeals to all ages and reaches very wide market demographics. Pywacket Games are always very high quality and heavily play tested before entering the consumer market,” President Donald Meyer told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2007. 5/4/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Birds of Summer by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players are Parent Birds trying to save their Baby Birds from Predators such as Hawks and Cats. The cards provide six Places for Nests, six Birds, six Predators and six Kinds of Food. All the action takes place on the Neighborhood Chart. Predator Dangers are placed near the Neighborhood. Places to make Nests are played first, then Nests, then Food for each Nest, which attracts a Predator. Will we, the Parent Birds, be able to chase away the Predator? Clever play will make all the difference, as we talk over our plans and make careful choices, with each player making an important contribution. This game is exciting and educational: Memory, math and problem-solving skills are nurtured as well. It is suitable for two to six players. 5/3/2007 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Old Spider & the Fly by FAMILY PASTIMES

Summer has arrived and so have the bugs. Inside my cabin, 6 different ones are on the move. I am glad to see that the Old Spider is also back putting his web out for them. Especially for that Fly, which gets into everything. We are going to help Old Spider catch these bugs. On a turn, each player deploys the web, rolls the dice and sees if any bugs get trapped. As the game goes on, some of the bugs may wiggle free and fly out the window. They can be very tricky! So, we and the Old Spider must make some careful choices. 1-6 Players. 5/3/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Max by FAMILY PASTIMES

We must help get the little Creatures safely home before Max, the Tomcat, catches them. In an exciting way, children learn logic, consultation and decision making. An important issue to discuss is also raised: we don't like Max catching those Little Ones, yet we recognize that he is a natural hunter. How do we resolve this in our minds and hearts? Let's talk it over. 1-8 Players. 5/3/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beautiful Place by FAMILY PASTIMES

An ecology game for children! Planet Earth can be a beautiful place, shared by all. Sadly, it has been harmed and made ugly in lots of ways. Players work together to restore the beauty. Can they do it before the dark pollution clouds encircle the beautiful place? They have a much better chance if they work together. Environmental concepts are presented in a simple way. Or, just play it as an exciting nature game. 2-4 Players. 5/3/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Berries, Bugs, and Bullfrogs by FAMILY PASTIMES

Four different cooperative tile games. Players form as many good Berry Patches as they can, with the help of the friendly Bullfrogs. The basic mathematical skills of adding, subtracting, multipying and dividing all get a workout. Six tiles have only Berries on them. Six have only Bugs. Eight have both Berries and Bugs. The Bug shown is a Slug, one of the few insects that damage Strawberries. Each of the 12 Bullfrogs can eat one bug. In THE GOOD BERRY PATCH GAME, players form as many Good Berry Patches as they can that have more Berries than Bugs. In THE BUG-FREE BERRY PATCH GAME, each Bug will eat a Berry and only saved Berries count... with a Bonus for each totally Bug-Free Patch formed. There are also two MIND-READER BERRY PATCH GAMES, in which each tile is played silently with players trying to guess what tile the others are going to play. 1-12 Players. 5/3/2007 (Price: $8.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aunty Ruth's Apples by FAMILY PASTIMES

Aunty Ruth sends us into her Orchards to gather Apples, fill the boxes and bring them to her little Store by the Highway, where lots of people stop by. There are 4 different Apples to pick. Aunty Ruth wants some to sell for Eating, some for making Cider & Juice, some for Baking and some for Sauces. Each player spins to see from which Orchard to pick apples. But watch out for the wormy ones or those chewed up by deer! When everyone has had a turn at the spinner, we help to fill as many of the different boxes as we can with the apples we picked, and count up how many different boxed collections we managed to finish. Then Aunty Ruth pays our Crew for the work done. Thus, our math skills of adding and dividing get some practise. Apple picking is indeed hard work, but really worthwhile. 2-4 Players. 5/3/2007 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zobmondo!! Would You Rather Pocket Travel Game, TSW Late Night Version by ZOBMONDO ENTERTAINMENT

This Late Night Pocket Tin is the ultimate drinking game, with the most twisted set of questions yet. It is also perfect for a road trip or college dorm. It is not appropriate for players under the age of 18. Would you rather wear a T-shirt on a first date that says, "I'm With Stupid" or a T-shirt that asks "Who Cut the Cheese?" “Neither” is not an option here. No matter how awful the alternatives are, it’s up to the group to reach a consensus. Discuss and debate the mind-boggling options and see just how long it takes everyone to agree on the absurd. The game includes 250 "would you rather" questions, 22 challenge cards, five category chips, one dry-erase game board and a marker. 5/3/2007 (Price: $11.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zobmondo!! Would You Rather Pocket Travel Game: Classic Version by ZOBMONDO ENTERTAINMENT

This travel game features questions such as "Would you rather have five bottles stuck on the fingers of one hand for a year or a bucket stuck on your foot for a year?" No matter how challenging the dilemma is, it’s up to the group to reach a consensus. Discuss and debate the mind-boggling options and see just how long it takes everyone to agree on the absurd. In this version, players will find questions that are ethical, bizarre and mind-bending — questions that have been field-tested to provoke ridiculous fun and break the ice at any party or social gathering. Each game contains 160 "would you rather" questions, four category chips, one dry-erase game board and a marker. 5/3/2007 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zobmondo!! Would You Rather Boardgame: The Twisted, Sick and Wrong Version (TSW) by ZOBMONDO ENTERTAINMENT

Parlor game questions are taken to a new level of debate and lunacy. This version contatins 1,500 twisted questions that range from heinous to nauseating to downright disturbing, each a field-tested conversation starter. To win, players must move around the board by correctly predicting the group consensus to each of his or her questions and complete three of the even more absurd "would you rather" challenges. This game is intended for players ages 18 and over and lasts approximately 45 minutes. 5/3/2007 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zobmondo!! Would You Rather Boardgame - Classic Version by ZOBMONDO ENTERTAINMENT

The idea of parlor game questions is taken to a new level of debate and lunacy. "Would you rather age only from the neck up or age only from the neck down?" In this version, players will find questions that are ethical, bizarre and mind-bending, but each guaranteed to provoke ridiculous fun and break the ice at any party. To win, players must move around the board by correctly predicting the group consensus to each of their questions and complete three of the even more absurd "would you rather" challenges. This game is intended for four or more players. 5/3/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Play Ball by NEUBAUER ENTERPRISES LLC

This game allows little leaguers to learn the basics of baseball from the comfort of their own home. It gives kids a step up in understanding how the game is played and teaches them what to do before they take the field. Parents, grandparents, family friends and even older siblings can act as the manager and umpire while little ones play America’s favorite pastime. “This is the only board game licensed by Little League and the only game I know of that teaches situational baseball as well as how to score the game,” Keith Neubauer of Neubauer Enterprises told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2007. 5/2/2007 (Price: $29.99)

Game Savers – Snazzy Purple Style by OBH ENTERPRISES

Snazzy Purple Game Savers are perfect for board games with single- or double-folded square boards (e.g., Monopoly Jr., Clue Jr., Sorry, Clue, Scrabble Jr. and more). Like all Game Saver styles, Snazzy Purple will keep your games organized and intact and make playing games more fun and less frustrating. Two games with single-folded square boards can fit in one Snazzy Purple Game Saver. Launch date: November 2006. 5/2/2007 (Price: $13.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chess and Checkers Set by WOOD EXPRESSIONS INC.

Can’t choose which game you want? Want to buy them all? Well now you don’t have to because we have the answer. It’s a combination game set. This particular 15” one is beautifully made in black stained wood with storage and 3” king, hand-painted, hand-polished, black stained/kari wood chessmen, containing your favorite pastime games, chess and checkers. It’s great to play with, and even when you’re not playing with it, looks absolutely gorgeous on your coffee table.
— Dustin Gilliland, owner of Crimson Castle Chess & Games in Tuscaloosa, Ala., sells a few chess sets per month, and more around the holidays. 5/2/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

UPSET™ by P.S. PLAYGAMES

The object of this addictive game is to score points with the dice and strategically use the UPSET cards to beat opponents. Two to six players start with 25 uPcentS (chips) — 10 for the pot and 15 to play with. As players' scores rise, they win chips. If they don't score, they lose chips. And if they go into debt, they are out. If a player rolls UPSET, everyone else must restart from scratch. Playing time is 30 to 120 minutes. Launch date: May 15, 2007 (specialty); August 2007 (mass market).
— UPSET “plays like a classic while at the same time satisfying today’s thirst for games of chance and strategy,” Executive Officer Paul Thomas of p.s. PlayGames told TDmonthly.
— "UPSET is brand new, and p.s. PlayGames is excited to be branching out into the U.S. market. Since our May 2007 launch in Canada, we have made great strides in sales, marketing and media attention. We welcome any U.S. stores and/or distributors to give UPSET a try," Thomas added. 4/23/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spectrum - Color Sudoku by WOOD EXPRESSIONS INC.

Spectrum originated from the classic Sudoku puzzles that have entertained and challenged countless people from around the world. Just as Scrabble evolved from the classic crossword puzzle, Spectrum has already developed a life of its own. Spectrum consists of three distinct games — Spectrum Solitaire, Team Spectrum and Spectrum Challenge. ( Watch Video) 4/23/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]