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

Pentago Lite by MINDTWISTER USA

The latest Pentago utilizes the sleek design style of the Multi-Player version in the compact ready to go, two-player version. Pentago is a two-player game in which the object is to create a row of five markers, in any direction, before your opponent does, but with a twist. Each move consists of placing a marker and then twisting one of the four game blocks; simple yet ingenious. 1/6/2012 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dominion: Hinterlands by RIO GRANDE GAMES

This is the 6th addition to the game of Dominion. It adds 26 new Kingdom cards to Dominion including 20 Actions 3 Treasures 3 Victory cards and 3 Reactions. The central theme is cards that do something immediately when you buy them or gain them. Dominion: Hinterlands is an expansion and cannot be played by itself; to play with it you need Dominion or a standalone expansion to Dominion (e.g. Dominion: Intrigue). Those provide the Basic cards you need to play (Treasure Victory and Curse cards) as well as the full rules for setup and gameplay. Dominion: Hinterlands can also be combined with any other Dominion expansions.
— As of 1/02/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on Amazon.com. 1/3/2012 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Clue - Harry Potter Edition by HASBRO INC.

Dark magic has been performed at Hogwarts! A fellow student has vanished from the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it is up to the players to solve the mysterious disappearance. Play as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville and try to discover WHO did it, WHAT spell or item they used, and WHERE the student was attacked. Was it Draco Malfoy with a Sleeping Draught in the Owlery? Move around Hogwarts making suggestions- but watch out! Wheels on the board actually move to reveal secret passages, hidden staircases, and even the Dark Mark! When players think they've gathered all the facts they need, they go to Dumbledore's office to make their final accusation to win the game.
— As of 12/30/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: More in depth than original Clue; fun for Harry Potter fans. Cons: Instructions are a bit confusing. 12/30/2011 (Price: $27.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ghost Blitz by LION RAMPANT IMPORTS

A lightning fast shape and color recognition game for kids, families and gamers alike. In Ghost Blitz, five wooden items sit on the table waiting to be caught: a white ghost, a green bottle, a cute grey mouse, a blue book, and a comfortable red chair. Each card in the deck shows pictures of two objects, with one or both objects colored the wrong way. With all players playing at the same time, someone reveals a card, then players grab for the "right" object - but which object is right? The first player to grab the correct object keeps the card, then reveals the next card from the deck. If a player grabs the wrong object, she must discard one card previously collected. Once the card deck runs out, the game ends and whoever has collected the most cards wins. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2011 Deutscher Lernspielpreis "6 years and up" Nominee; 2011 Golden Geek Best Children's Board Game Nominee; 2011 Spiel des Jahres Recommended. 12/12/2011 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Gate by OOFDAH! GAMES INC

The Gate is a challenging strategy game for 2 to 5 players. It’s two games in one: beginner and advanced. The Gate combines the fun of a classic board game with the fantasy of a role-playing game. Fight dragons and other monsters, escape encounters, or buy weapons from the gnome. The stakes intensify as players advance through 3 exciting levels. Earn special fighting dice; battle friends for treasure. The first player to the Gate wins, but they mustn't forget their key. Launch date: November 2011. 12/9/2011 (Price: $59.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chaotic Connections by CHAOTIC CONNECTIONS LLC

Chaotic Connections is a brand new board game that takes players on a chaotic cross-country road trip without them leaving their living room.  Each player is dealt four cities on the map and attempts to connect the roads to the cities as quickly as possible. The first player to connect all four wins. However, there will be road blocks, detours, extra cities and other obstacles along the way.  Chaotic Connections can be played with 2-6 players and will enjoyed most by players ages nine and up. Launch date: August 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wangle by JESSE JAMES GAMES

Wangle is a picture themed game where Wangle Sticks add an exciting and fun twist.   Wangle is frantic play with all players in motion, at all times. Players build their hand, then try to be the first to sneak a Wangle stick. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Slooooks! by ASHARE PATTERSON DESIGN

Slooooks! is a new game that's a cross between eye-spy and a scavenger hunt. The rules are simple and all ages can play together ... and the game board folds up like a book so it can be taken anywhere. "It's never the same game twice," Kate Patterson of Ashare Patterson Design told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2011. 12/2/2011 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Double Double Dominoes by CALLIOPE GAMES

Double Double Dominoes is a new approach to Dominoes. Players score points by matching up dominoes over key areas of the game board. Play a Double Domino and players double their score. Players can grab bonus points every time someone matches their position on the score track with a domino played… including themselves. Contents: Game board, 56 dominoes,  4 score pieces, Game rules. 12/2/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SOUND IT! FOUND IT! by WOWOPOLIS LLC

A completely new, patent-pending "two-in-one" board game, SOUND IT! FOUND IT! is both a guessing game AND a hidden-object game based on silly sounds other players make.  With 96 cards and eight giant-scene boards, it's perfect for today's kids, combining visual fun with the unique twist of guessing sounds to offer hours of laugh-out-loud fun. Launch date: February 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— "What a cool game! If your kids like acting out (not acting up), this game is made for them. I had fun playing with Alex and her friend Lily...Alex and Lily are both tweens, but even kids a few years younger or older would love this game. Being silly is the only pre-requisite." - A review by Mike on the blog Just Find it 4 U.

 11/29/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cosmic Karma Game by COSMIC KARMA GAME PARTNERS

This beautifully crafted board game is an educational and insightful presentation of the principles of karma. 2 to 4 players. It's Monopoly but with karma instead of money; Chutes and Ladders but for adults; and The Game of Life but the life of the soul. 30-90 minutes. Features "Artistic presentation of sophisticated concepts that even a 5th grader can understand," Linda Look, game developer at Cosmic Karma Game Partners, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.
— As of 10/5/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Well designed; helps to illustrate the concept of karma; thought provoking. 11/29/2011 (Price: $38.00)

Discworld: Ankh-Morpork™ by MAYFAIR GAMES INC.

Welcome to Ankh-Morpork - the oldest, greatest, and most odorous city on Terry Pratchett's Discworld, a place where trouble is always in the cards. Players are one of seven personalities vying for ultimate control of this proud and pestilent city, using their cunning and guile they'll encounter wizards, assassins, watchmen and thieves, all of whom will affect their fortunes. A finely detailed map and over one hundred individually illustrated cards depicting the city's most beloved and infamous characters, locations, and organizations immerse the player in Discworld's most unruly city. Discworld Ankh-Morpork blends the distinctive humor of Terry Pratchett's best-selling novels with strategic challenge and a dose of mayhem into one devilishly addictive Discworld adventure for two to four players.
— As of 11/23/2011 this product had 7.06 out of 10 stars from 835 ratings on BoardGameGeek.com. 11/23/2011 (Price: $49.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Godzilla Kaiju World Wars Board Game by TOY VAULT

The Xiliens have pitted Godzilla, Rodan, Gigan and King Ghidorah against each other in a catastrophic battle and only one monster will emerge victorious. In Godzilla: Kaiju World Wars, players pick a monster and a scenario, stomping over terrain and destroying buildings on their warpath - all while fending off aggressive military attacks, bombs, traps and, of course, other KAIJU. Special abilities are used to eliminate the competition or to tuck their tail between their legs and run away before they are taken out.  The game is jam-packed with pieces sure to please any gamer. Along with the four fully painted 2 3/8 inch plastic Kaiju figurines, the game also includes 90 stackable plastic tiles for building skyscrapers, four individual monster playmats, 86 terrain and power tokens, and much more. Launch date: May 2011. 11/16/2011 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Monopoly: Electronic Banking by HASBRO INC.

With Monopoly Electronic Banking, players wheel and deal their way to a fortune even faster using debit cards instead of cash. All it takes is a card swipe for money to change hands. Now players can collect rent, buy properties and pay fines - with the touch of a button. It's a new way to play the family classic that's been brought up-to-date with modernized tokens (including a Segway personal transporter, an Altoids tin, space shuttle, flat-screen TV, baseball cap and a dog in handbag), higher property values and locations based on their favorite landmarks.
— As of 11/14/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 58 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Updates make the game more realistic and relevant to younger players. Cons: Not as educational as players no longer have to count money. 11/14/2011 (Price: $26.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

TENZI by CARMA GAMES

Everyone gets ten dice. Someone says “Go.” Then everyone rolls and rolls as fast as they can until someone gets all their dice on the same number. It’s a fun, fast frenzy. It’s TENZI. It's "Super-simple to learn & super-fast to play," Steve Mark, executive Dice president of  CARMA GAMES, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2011.
— In a February 2012 survey about games, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that she sells 6+ copies of Tenzi each month.
— In a February 2013 survey, two out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Tenzi was their best selling game.
— Glisyn Lewis Jarrells, manager of Imaginations Toy & Furniture in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that Tenzi is their overall best selling product. They sell around 15 copies of the game each month. ( Watch Video) 11/8/2011 (Price: $14.95)

Swivel by PATCH PRODUCTS INC.

This is a "Twist on the Classic Four-in-a-Row Game." It's full of secret colors, sneaky moves and wacky wild tokens that make players Swivel. Just when one player is about to get four in a row, another player may have to twist a level of the 3-D board and change everything. Launch date: 2011. 11/4/2011 (Price: $19.99)

Tales to Play line by PATCH PRODUCTS INC.

Kids can bring classic tales such as Mother Goose, The Little Engine That Could, The Berenstain Bears and Where the Wild Things Are to life with colorful game boards, including three-dimensional accessories and pawns. Each game is an adventure, much like the ones children read about in books. "No other game brings to life cherished childhood stories in the form of a board game that children will love to play over and over," Mary Dolan, public relations coordinator at Patch Products, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2011 Dr. Toy Best Picks Children’s Products; 2011 Creative Child Game of the Year, in the Kids Games, Learning to Share category; 2011 Parents’ Choice Foundation Parent’s Choice Recommended Product Award. 11/4/2011 (Price: $23.99)

100 Wacky Things by PATCH PRODUCTS INC.

In 100 Wacky Things, players will do some ridiculous things while laughing uncontrollably at each other. The game has two types of cards: Always and Whenever. If you draw an Always Card, you will do the wacky thing on your card every time it's your turn. A Whenever Card directs you to do what the card says whenever another player does something specific. And we can't forget the silly props: the elephant nose, feathered boa, funny glasses and echo microphone. Launch date: 2009.
Awards: 2010 FamilyFun 8 Best Family Board Games; 2009 Creative Child-Preferred choice award; 2009 iParenting Media Awards-Outstanding products; 2009 The National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval; 2009 Winner of the Washington Post’s KidsPost best toys 11/4/2011 (Price: $19.99)

WiseMoney The Town of Financial Literacy Spanish Card Set by DESTINA INC.

Destina Inc. has released its first expansion to the Wise Money board game: the Spanish Card Set. The Spanish Card Set is a direct translation of all the card decks in the original WiseMoney board game, from Banking and Investing to Identity Protection including directions in Spanish. The Spanish Card Set is an extension of the board game that uses all of the same basic game elements (board, spinner, dice, etc.) of the original English version. "Our product addresses the financial literacy needs in the Hispanic community," Jan Noah, director of R&D at Destina, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2011. 11/3/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Operation Buzz Lightyear by HASBRO INC.

Buzz Light Year's parts require some fixing. Fix Buzz's lazy laser or his busted ball joint. Operate carefully; if players hit the sides Buzz Light Year's laser sounds. Includes a storage drawer to store all of Buzz's parts.
— As of 10/25/2011 this product had 2.9 out of 5 stars from 7 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Interactive; fun. Cons: Too difficult for specified age group; flimsy. 10/25/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Electronic Battleship Advanced Mission by HASBRO INC.

The Electronic Battleship Advanced Mission game by Hasbro features a laptop design that brings this classic naval combat game to eye level for greater command of the fleet. Sinking opponent's ships is even more exciting with improved sound and commands that immerse players in each strategic battle. When  done playing, the unit folds up for quick and easy storage. Includes folding Battleship unit, 10 plastic ships, 200 white pegs, 100 red pegs, 50 blue pegs, 3 blue aircraft, 3 red aircraft, label sheet and a mission instruction booklet.
— As of 10/25/2011 this product had 4.1 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Entertaining; helps develop strategic thinking skills. Cons: Difficult to understand instructions; flimsy; several users reported faulty electronic elements. 10/25/2011 (Price: $44.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Road Trip by DADDY-O PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Players must complete each word challenge and motor across the USA. "Rest Stop" cards add to the fun along the way, with lucky breaks and the occasional pothole. Road Trip game contains 120 Challenge Cards, 40 "Rest Stop" cards, 7.5" x 20" Vintage Road Map Board, 30-sided Alphabet die, and 4 retro Station Wagon movers.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award; 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award for Best Toys
— As of 10/21/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. 10/24/2011 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Candy Land Tin by WINNING SOLUTIONS

This nostalgic edition of the classic CANDYLAND ® game is a “sweet” way for young children to have fun and learn at the same time. The adventure takes you on a wonderful journey, travelling past the Crooked Old Peanut Brittle House, and Lollypop Woods until you eventually reach Home Sweet Home…
As this magical experience unfolds, your child is learning colors without reading or counting.
This collectible tin edition features the charming graphics of the 1955 edition as well as the iconic gingerbread men. It is a timeless edition to be enjoyed by children of all ages with a sweet tooth for fun! 10/24/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Monopoly Deluxe by WINNING SOLUTIONS

This premium edition game features the great fun of Monopoly with many premium upgrades including a solid wood cabinet in a black painted finish with a recessed flocked silver foil stamped rolling area.  Other upgrades include an integrated storage area with lined compartments and a wooden banker's tray.  This deluxe set also includes a silver foil stamped game path and Chance and Community Chest cards, Monopoly money with silver ink printing, wooden houses and hotels and plated die-cast tokens. 10/24/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Library Classics by WINNING SOLUTIONS

For game fans who like nostalgia and style, Winning Solutions’ Library Classic Collection includes special editions of MONOPOLY, SCRABBLE and CLUE board games, packaged within a luxe faux-leather “book” that makes a decorative addition to any bookshelf. Each game design is inspired by original graphics and game pieces that made these brands cultural icons, such as wooden houses and hotels in the MONOPOLY Library Classic game, and die-cast metal “weapon” play pieces in the CLUE Libary Classic version. 10/24/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]