February 2011 New Specialty Toys — General Games

First, a crazy definition is read to the group by the "Wordmeister." Next, players must grab three random word cubes and create a new word to fit the definition. Each new word is read out loud, and the "Wordmeister" picks the best one. The player whose words are chosen the most wins. 3-7 players. Launch date: March 2011.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: Fauxabulary is a great game for large groups. It's similar to Apples to Apples, but creating new words out of different word-parts encourages kids to think creatively, and have fun with letters. It combines the silly group fun of Apples to Apples with the fast-paced scramble to create and find words like Scrabble or Boggle, and is reasonably priced relative to similar party games.

Players form words with the letters in their hand. They add a letter, build a new word, and capture their opponent's word, all in one turn. Players score points and earn 'royalties' for words of all one color. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. "Gameplay allows players to capture cards to build bigger, better words," Lynn Araujo, communications director for U.S. Games Systems, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.
Awards: A Games 100 Selection (2008, 2009, 2010)

This matching game features a 3-level spinner as well as a riddle challenge at the end of each round. I Spy Spectacular includes 36 double-sided cards featuring different levels of play for younger and older players. "Our 3-level spinner is truly a unique aspect in the world of matching games," Carol Comes, senior product manager at Briarpatch Inc., told TDmonthly.

The Storymatic is a writing prompt, a teaching tool, a parlor game, and a toy, all in one little box. Combine a few of the 500+ cards, and watch a story take shape. Six trillion story combinations are possible. "I made the first one while teaching creative writing at a small Vermont college...my students kept asking me to make more than one so they could buy it and play with it outside of class with their family and friends. Finally, I took their advice," Brian Mooney, president of The Storymatic, told TDmonthly. Additionally, "The Storymatic is made here in the U.S., in a printing plant and box factory that have both been in continuous operation for more than 100 years." Launch date: March 2009.

Pillow Pets Dreamland Adventure Game and the Pillow Pets Dreamland Matching Game. Children can set sail on an exciting journey through seven continents as they race to enter My Pillow Pets Dreamland. Along the way they encounter adventures, adorable My Pillow Pet friends, and even some pitfalls. The Dreamland Matching Game hones children’s memory skills and focus as they try and match some of their My Pillow Pet favorites.
Awards: 2010 Top 10 Holiday Toys for Toys R Us; Hot Dozen by FunFare Magazine (2010); iParenting Media Excellent Product award (2009); Mr. Dad Seal of Approval (2009); Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products (2009).

The Chairman of the Board has gone missing - presumed dead. A new Chairman must be appointed. Each player has the opportunity to become Chairman, to do so you must first acquire 100.000 company shares from the outer square. This is done by the decisions you make with the cards you hold and those you discard. With 100.000 company shares you may enter into the Promotion inner circle, you must now become a Manager and then "wheedle" your way to become a Director. Now you are ready to make the final move and become Chairman of the Board. All the time your opponents will try to outsmart you, take your personal shares, block you with a Veto card or trick you with a Joker card. They too want to become Chairman of the Board and will show no mercy. They will sell you out or buy you out on their way. You may have to trade or bargain with them - you must have a strategy and you must never lose sight of you goal. You will become Chairman of the Board. For 2-6 players. Playing time: approx. 45 minutes.

A team of vampire hunters, with its leader Doctor Van Helsing, prepare for a fierce fight with Count Dracula. Explore Dracula's castle to find the equipment necessary to properly outfit the team. Watch each other's backs and beware Dracula; he is able to disappear and appear suddenly. Should he catch you unawares, he can turn you into a vampire and have you join his side. Van Helsing is the latest release from Frederic Moyersoen, designer of Nuns on the Run and Bacchus' Banquet. In Van Helsing one player plays Dracula, moving through his castle searching for his brides. The other players play Van Helsing and his associates. They move through the castle trying to avoid being bitten and searching for weapons and equipment that will help them defeat Dracula. Players bitten by Dracula become his minions and try to help him catch the other players (so no players are ever out of the game). Will Van Helsing and his brave team of vampire hunters stop Dracula before he can return his brides to his coffin or will them become his minions?

Build your own customized checker set. These “I Built It!” checkers let you choose any of your favorite pictures and add them right into every game piece, making for a personalized game. Each game comes with 12 red and 12 black checker pieces made of durable yet lightweight plastic. These jumbo sized checker pieces are each 2 3/4 inches around, so there is plenty of room for pictures. Also included in each game are a picture sizing stencil, an instruction and idea sheet, and a 24 inch square red and black game board, This oversized game board folds down to fit in a 12 by 12 inch box.

This chess set features jumbo trading card size chess pieces so that one can customize every piece with wallet-sized photographs, trading cards, artwork, or any other images to create a personalized chess set. These jumbo sized chess pieces have a base 2 1/2 inches wide, are made of durable yet lightweight plastic, and come in the traditional colors of black and white. Also included are a picture sizing stencil, an instruction/idea sheet and a black and white game board. The game board is 23 ½ inches square, made from heavy duty cardstock that folds to fit in a 12 by 12 inch square box.

Build your own customized game of Memory Match and Tic Tac Toe that can change as often as a child's imagination. Add your favorite pictures into all 18 game pieces to play a memory matching game. The pieces are in black and white, allowing for a game of Tic Tac Toe as well. You can use photos, stickers, cut outs from magazines, or colorful crayons, glitter and glue. A sample coloring sheet is included so you can quick start your game by coloring in the matching pairs of ocean themed pictures and adding them into your game. More coloring sheets are available as free downloads on the I Built It Games website. Every game comes with 18 mixed black and white game pieces and a 20" game board. Each game piece is 2 3/4 inches around.

The Catan Dice Game is a fast, fun way to experience Catan on-the-go. Discover, explore, and settle Catan. Play time is estimated at 15-30 minutes. It's a great casual introduction to the world of Catan. With six colorful, embossed 16mm plastic dice, a generous pad of full color double-sided score sheets featuring two maps for alternate play. You can roll-and risk-your way to victory. For 1-4 players.

Challenge your mind with 15 classic puzzles. This assortment features mind-benders, take-apart puzzles, mazes and IQ challenges that are fun at home or for travel. These conundrums will test your brain, hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills. "Offers customers more problem solving and more fun than a single type of puzzle," Jordan Willing, CEO of Discover With Dr. Cool, told TDmonthly.

Featuring two playtime activities in one, each Find It! product combines a puzzle and game into one educational, interactive learning experience. Puzzle Doubles Find It! USA teaches children about the United States of America. First assemble the puzzle, then play the game using the enclosed game pieces. For an additional learning experience, flip the game pieces over to play a word recognition game. Each 50-piece puzzle measures 3’ x 2’.

Featuring two playtime activities in one, each Find It! product combines a puzzle and game into one educational, interactive learning experience. This Find It! version teaches children the ABCs. First assemble the puzzle, then play the game using the enclosed game pieces. For an additional learning experience, flip the game pieces over to play a word recognition game. Each 50-piece puzzle measures 3’ x 2’.

Featuring two playtime activities in one, each Find It! product combines a puzzle and game into one educational, interactive learning experience. Puzzle Doubles Find It! Friends teaches children about multicultural friends. First assemble the puzzle, then play the game using the enclosed game pieces. For an additional learning experience, flip the game pieces over to play a word recognition game. Each 50-piece puzzle measures 3’ x 2’.

Featuring two fun-filled playtime activities in one, each Find It! product combines a puzzle and game into one educational, interactive learning experience. The Find It! series teaches children about the USA, dinosaurs, ABCs, 123s, Canada, the solar system, and multicultural friends. First assemble the puzzle, then play the game using the enclosed game pieces. For an additional learning experience, flip the game pieces over to play a word recognition game. Each 50-piece puzzle measures 3’ x 2’.

This game is currently licensed to Spinmaster.
Outwit your opponents by stomping their marbles before they stomp yours! Outmaneuver by leaving their Stomper trapped with no escape. For 2-6 Players.

In this creative and competitive game of Kewbz™, opposing players compete for ownership of 'tower units' by positioning the final cube on top. Each time a corner is made, a cube is stacked at the intersection. For 2 players.

Includes Board + 6 Ghost Hunter Characters + 24 Ghost Cards + 12 Room Cards + 36 Cover Up Counters (one set for each character) 24 Numbered Counters + 6 Ghost Sheets + 6 Room Sheets + Dice.   For 2-6 players.

Inch Worms™ is the measure, matching, worm-catching game that will have children checking to see if their worm measures up. Players spin the spinner and pull the worms from the board one segment at a time until their color is revealed. Some worms may be long and some may be short, but they will never know until they pull. If they free a worm, it's theirs to keep. Once the last worm is pulled, players line up all their worms and the longest Inch Worm wins! The game board turns into a handy storage case that eliminates lost pieces and makes clean up a snap.
Inch Worm™ is designed for 2-4 players, ages 4 and up.

Various activities about feeling and touching. The two tactile games introduce first games with rules. A game collection for 1 - 2 players ages 2+.  This game stimulates perception, recognizing shapes, learning to understand rules.

The fox and little sheep meet with all the other animal kids to play together. Four animal kids always meet on a picture card. With a bit of luck you are the quickest and the first to find the animals of your picture card thus winning the game. An assigning game with animals for 1-6 children age 2+. Includes variation for older players.
Contents: 24 wooden pieces, 6 cardboard picture cards.