January 2009 New Specialty Toys — Card Games

In this fast-paced card and dice game for the whole family, players take turns as the sushi chef by rolling four sushi dice. Other players then race to match sushi cards in their hand to the sushi that was rolled. The first to do so says "Order up!" and lays down his or her cards. Whoever gets the most sushi cards by the end of the game wins. Players can use Wild Wasabi to help, but must beware the dreaded Stinky Sushi card. "It is easy to play, and the whimsical theme keeps you coming back for another hand," Mike Richie, game developer for Mindtwister USA, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

This classic card game features Presidents of the United States, including biographical highlights and outstanding accomplishments in office. Updated for 2009, Deck III features 15 Presidents, from Coolidge to Barack Obama. Deck I, Deck II and a three-deck set are also available, and are suitable for most card games. "This timely deck features four bonus cards of Barack Obama, featuring biographical information about the 44th President," Lynn Araujo, communications director for U.S. Games Systems, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Name that Vanity is the addictive and contagious license plate guessing game. Players play the game to their favorite song, and once the song ends, so does one round. It's designed for fun on the road or at home. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

LOL! (which stands for Laugh Out Loud!) is a new, fresh and exciting game of Internet lingo that involves acronyms, shorthand and Web slang used in chat rooms, email and text and instant messaging. The goal is to be the first to yell out "'LOL!'" to give the answer to the net lingo. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Catch My Drift?!? is an interactive game of charades with an urban twist in which players have to guess the lingo from the hip-hop and pop culture. It has been featured by radio personality Michael Baisden on the Michael Baisden (syndicated radio) Show. "This is a new, hip and fresh game [that] targets the words/phrases most commonly used in the urban genre," Leia Avery and Eric King, founders of Slanguage Gamez, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 29, 2008.

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.

Created by teens, for teens, this set of 50 diverse questions is sure to spark some colorful conversations. The cool carabiner clip attaches to backpacks, sports bags and overnight bags. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Designed for kids heading off to camp or for family camping trips, this fun game was created for kids, by kids.  It’s also a good way for kids to get to know new friends at camp. The handy flashlight and compass allow you to navigate your way back to your campsites or cabin for some fun, late night conversations.  Great around the campfire too. It's "perfect for kids going away to summer camp. This product was requested by specialty retailers," Owner Beth Daniels of Around the Table told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Created by kids, for kids, Buddy Talk is a fun way to get friends talking. Children can find out a ton about their friends at the bus stop, during recess or at a sleepover. They just draw a card, read one of the 50 cool questions, and let the fun begin. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

ChalkTalkSPORTS SportACTION Card Games are fast playing and action packed for popular team sports. Varieties include Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Soccer and Hockey. These card games provide hours of intense fun as players race to be the first to assemble their winning team. Strategy, skill and fun make them entertaining for the entire family. "Our SportACTION card games play like the real sport. Its a race to pull together your team first as you watch out for penalty calls," President Julie Lynn of ChalkTalkSPORTS told TDmonthly.

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.

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.

This innovative card game plays like a ball game and sends action in all directions. Players send a card to another player and see if they have what it takes to respond. "Pepper is based on the familiar playground game of four-square. It is a simple card game that is great for families," Leah Osterhaus, VP of marketing for Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. The game earned a 2006 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence. Launch date: 2006.

First printed in 1903, Gavitt's Stock Exchange is an exciting card game that challenges three to six players to be the first to get all the cards of one railway line, call out "Topeka" and win the hand. It received a 2003 Major Fun Award as well as a 2003 Best Classic Toy Award from Dr. Toy. Launch date: 2003.

Each player receives a card that lists three secret challenges to be carried out during the play period in front of other players without getting caught. With family or during a party, players then try to expose other players in order to win. The small box takes up little counter space and is easy to take along. Launch date: March 2008.

ROCKIT 100 - The 80's Edition "One Track At A Time" is a deck of 100 rock and roll trivia cards each dedicated to one of the top-100 rock and roll songs of the '80s. There are five clues on the card. The player who guesses the song and artist in the fewest number of clues earns the points. The first player to rock and roll their way to 20 points wins the round. This product is a "price-sensitive Impulse Buy at the POP (something unique and affordable for the adults on the list while waiting to pay for the kids' stuff)," CEO Brett McAteer of Arteeno Entertainment Company Ltd. told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2, 2006.