November 2007 New Toys — Card Games

Cutthroat Caverns by SMIRK & DAGGER GAMES

Players must learn teamwork in order to survive the game, but must also learn betrayal in order to win the game. This genre-bending card game of ‘'kill-stealing,” in a classic RPG dungeon setting, forces players to walk the fine line between cooperative play and backstabbing. All the while, creatures lurk, ready to punish the entire party if players do not work together. 8/24/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hex Hex Next by SMIRK & DAGGER GAMES

The original Hex Hex is taken to the “next” level in this new stand-alone card game. The game can be played using just the cards alone, or mixed in with the base Hex Hex deck. New power cards allow for even more vicious “stab-a-friend-in-the-back” opportunities than ever. 8/24/2007 (Price: $23.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Five Balloons by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

In this color-matching game with a twist, cards are turned over, revealing broken color balloons. If a player has a matching colored balloon in his or her hand, it is eliminated. The last player to have unbroken balloon cards wins. The game requires no reading or number skills. Launch date: January 2007. 8/17/2007 (Price: $6.99)

Puppy Surprise! by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The goal of this memory game with a twist is to find puppy’s friends before the game ends. Players take turns rolling the die and matching cards to find all of the party guests. If a player rolls puppy’s party, he or she cannot make a match and the party begins. The winner is the first player to make five matches before the party ends. No reading skills are required. Launch date: January 2007. 8/17/2007 (Price: $6.99)

Great States! by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Players can test their knowledge of landmarks, locations and capitals with this card game based on the popular Great States board game. Great States! includes four different games, with 200 trivia questions about all 50 states, plus a fold-out map of the United States. Launch date: January 2007. 8/17/2007 (Price: $7.99)

Around the World Booster Card Packs by AROUND THE WORLD LLC

Around the World booster card packs are available for each major world region: Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia/Oceania, South America and North America. Participants can either play the Around the World game and continue with the booster card packs for added knowledge, or just begin learning though the cards, which are ideal for the classroom or traveling in the car. “International Education is on the rise and customers are looking for fun ways to engage their children in current affairs. Our booster card packs are collectible to attract kids: You can collect card packs for all the major regions of the world and receive prizes as you go!” Stacy E. George of Around the World told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2008. 8/16/2007 (Price: $15.00)

Deluxe UNO by MATTEL INC.

This deluxe version makes for a more sophisticated evening of UNO. It also makes for the perfect gift. Designed for two to ten players, and taking less than thirty minutes to play, one of America's most recognized family games comes in elegant tin packaging for style and sturdiness. It also comes with score pad and pencil so that there's a winner to be declared at the end of each fun game.
— "UNO by Mattel" was the best-selling card game in the store of Michelle, manager at Whippersnappers in St. Simon’s Island.
— Two of 29 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in the summer of 2007 said that UNO was a customer-favorite card game in their stores.
—  "UNO is the number one card game in America and now fans of the classic game can experience an entirely new version with UNO Deluxe.  The new version features a wipe off scoring system, a removable draw and discard tray, and a premium box that folds out for easy scorekeeping," said Michele Sturdivant, Director of PR, Mattel Brands. 8/9/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

There's a Moose in the House by GAMEWRIGHT

Eeek! There's a moose loose in the kitchen., and another in the bathroom! In this whimsical matching card game, the goal is to keep moose out of your house, while at the same time giving them to your opponents. The player with the fewest moose wins. The game comes with 58 cards, is designed for two to five players, and takes about fifteen minutes to play.
— "I know we've been selling a lot of card games. There's a card game called 'There's a Moose in the House'. That sells really well. It's made by Gamewright," said John Beutler, associate at Tinkerz Toy Shop in Coeur D' Alene, ID. Beutler told TDmonthly that he sells about a dozen a month of the zany card games from Gamewright.
— " 'There's a Moose in the House' is consistently one of our top selling games, due in part to the hilarious artwork featuring photo-realistic Moose juxtaposed with various rooms of the house — the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom — as well as to a game play that equally entertains parents as well as children," said Jason Schneider for Gamewright.
— There's a Moose in the House received an average 4.5 out of 5 star rating from 12 customers on Amazon.com for bringing absurdity and fun not just to children but also to adults! Many found its rules and directions to be a little difficult to learn, but most agreed that once you get the hang of it, you can't stop enjoying it. (9.14.08) 8/9/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WizardŽ Card Game Deluxe Edition by U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.

The popular Wizard Card Game is available in this Deluxe version. Not only does it come with a 60-card Wizard deck, but it also includes six individual bid indicator wheels, a core pad and an instruction booklet. The game is designed to be played by three to six players.
— "Wizard has taken off. It really grew in the last few years. Battelle is a local science company near us, and the engineers there just love playing Wizard," said Frances Finfrock, owner of Aunt Franny's Toys in Richland, Wash.
— Three of 32 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly in summer 2007 cited Wizard as the most popular card game with their customers.
— "No other card game combines such ease of learning with such opportunity for skillful play. In fact, the Wizard Card Game it is the only game that a player can consistently win regardless of the cards dealt by switching from offensive to defensive play," said Stuart R. Kaplan, chairman of U.S. Games Systems Inc. 8/9/2007 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Non-Violent Politically Correct War Card Game by UNIVERSITY GAMES

War has changed over time, but the card game bearing its name hasn't since it was first played in the 14th century. Until now. For the first time, War incorporates Love, Peace, Diversity, and Unity. It's a whimsical twist on an age-old game. Players compete to get rid of their cards first, while trying to avoid the heavily-armed Joker, which is the weakest card. The card deck features beautiful and entertaining illustrations.
— "Anything from University Games does well here," said Jane Beck, owner of BJ Beck’s Toys in Cedarburg, WI, when discussing card games with TDmonthly. 8/7/2007 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bye Bye Balloons by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Players shuffle the cards and deal them out equally. The Spinnerific is placed on the table where all can reach it. The player with the most blue clothing, for example, spins the Spinnerific first. When it stops on a balloon, players can discard one matching card. They take turns at spinning. The first to get rid of all their cards wins the game. Variations of the game can be played.
— "We have Bye-Bye Balloon from IPI that does well with 3-year-olds," said Jane Beck, owner of BJ Beck’s Toys in Cedarburg, WI, when asked by TDmonthly about hot-sellers in her store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $7.99)

Skip-Bo by MATTEL INC.

Skip-Bo provides card game players with some sharp-minded fun. From the makers of UNO, Skip-Bo is the ultimate sequencing game. Players create sequential stacks of cards. The first to use all their cards wins the game. It's designed to be played by two to six players and a game takes less then thirty minutes to complete. Yes, it takes skill, but it also takes a bit of luck, too.
— Skip-Bo was among the classic card games that sell well in the store of Phil Wrzesinki, owner of Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, MI. 8/7/2007 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deluxe Animal Card Games by MELISSA & DOUG

These playful animal illustrations will keep children and adults smiling, win or lose. The set of three boxed games includes Old Maid, Go Fish, and Animal Rummy. The game measures 10.5" x 5" x .75" in dimension.
— "Classic card games by Mellissa & Doug — a group of three: Go Fish, Animal Rummy, and Old Maid," said Wayne Kneeland, owner of Toy Shop in Bristol, RI, when discussing top-sellers in his store with TDmonthly. 8/7/2007 (Price: $9.99)

The Best Card Games in the Galaxy by KLUTZ

This Klutz card game package provides definitive rules for the "best card games in the universe", along with the 52 tools of the trade and complete plans for an architecturally sound house of cards. The set includes the booklet with rules and instructions, as well as a net pouch containing the deck of cards. Included in the booklet as "Best Card Games in the Galaxy" are such classics as Concentration, Rummy, Old Maid, Crazy Eights, and much more.
— "I do well with the Klutz. They have the different card games — classic card games in a package with a book," said Donna Sedgwick, owner of Toy Mill in Tiverton, RI. 8/7/2007 (Price: $13.95)

Imperial Kids - Old Maid Card Game by PATCH PRODUCTS INC.

The classics never do quite go out of style, do they? Players pick cards from other players and collect pairs. The loser gets stuck holding the Old Maid. Kids get to learn picture matching and turn-taking skills when playing this timeless game. It's designed for two to four players.
— "Old Maid by Patch Products" was among the best-selling card-games in the store of Michelle, manager at Whippersnappers in St. Simon’s Island. 8/7/2007 (Price: $2.50)