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

Princess by FAMILY PASTIMES

Designed to provide a thoughtful and imaginative play experience, this game features a princess who needs to be rescued from a mean guard and fierce dog. Players go through fields, woods, mountains and villages in search of things magical and practical that are needed to free the Princess. Participants share and help each other remember where special things are hidden, and together think their way past the obstacles. The games includes a 12" x 12" board, die, movers, night cards, good grief cards and special things. 5/19/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hugs and Tickles by FAMILY PASTIMES

The goal of this game is to help everyone from Mom and Dad to Granny and Grandpa have a great day and not get caught by The Blues. Players can pass on a hug, make others laugh with goofy faces, tell someone what they like about them, dance, sing, share a joke, and more. Feel-Good Cards have lots of things to do to chase away The Blues, but players must be careful, as The Blues can sneak up very quickly. Participants can personalize the game's supplies by adding various books and music of their own. Suggestions are included. The games includes a 12" x 12" board, feel-good cards, a neighborhood card, people movers, the blues and dice. 5/19/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Granny's House by FAMILY PASTIMES

This adventure game is designed to encourage thought and imagination in young children. On their journey to Granny's, players go through dark woods, cross a stream, need to be very careful passing a sleepy bear, etc. Players decide what to bring along — a dog, a basket of food, perhaps some sticks and a rope — and must use these items to invent ways to deal with whatever obstacle they meet. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, a team mover, a die, and good things tokens. "This is a cooperative game in which all the players use their imaginations to get by the obstacles on their path to Granny's house in the country," Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 28, 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Adventures of Harley by FAMILY PASTIMES

In this game, the players all help farm dog Harley find and bring back home as many of their favorite things as possible. Harley will have to look out for fellow prowlers, such as the bear, raccoon, skunk, porcupine and nasty briar Patches, and it might be necessary to call in the vet. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, rules for easy and hard games, a dog house card, favorite things tokens, a bark and sniff card, and a Harley mover. "Players work together to help the old dog, Harley, out of a variety of problems. This is a game of sharing and helping eachother," Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 27, 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Christmas Game by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players try to make sure that everyone has a Merry Christmas. They help each other get all the pieces to make their own Merry Christmas puzzle picture. This involves sharing and giving. In the center of the board is the manger scene. Players must be careful not to let the manger get clouded over by such events as people being mean to one another, or they might all lose the game. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, movers, die and Merry Christmas puzzles. Launch date: April 26, 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Funny Faces by FAMILY PASTIMES

In this active pantomime game, players move around the board, helping each other bring all the things needed for a party. Command cards get turned, describing an action to be done. Co-operative play allows everyone to get into the actions without worrying about losing and being eliminated, and because players keep up their mime until the next turn, many funny interpretations happen at once. It includes a 12" x 12" board, die, party favor movers and command cards. "The children get to play together and do a mime show together without being against each other," Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 22, 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Earthquake by FAMILY PASTIMES

In this game, players are forest rangers trying to help the animal and human families get past the spreading crevices caused by an earthquake and to their homes. Their job is to work together as a rescue team, sharing ideas and giving a helping hand to all creatures. The random set-up makes each game different and is designed to get children thinking. The games includes a 12 x 12" board, rules for easy and hard games, quake pieces, bridge tokens, and a collection of human and animal cards. Launch date: April 25, 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Circus Comes to Town by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players work together as a team to give the audience the best show possible. Animals are included in this game, but since it is the players' circus, they can put on a show with or without them. Each player spins to see what moves are to be made — such as an acrobat across the spotlight, or a performer on the trapeze — and tries the guide the performer from start to finish without taking a fall. The game includes four, 6" x 12" boards illustrating special circus performances; a set of cards depicting safety nets, clown acts, animal acts, and main performers; a ringmaster's spinner; and rules for regular and hard games. Launch date: April 22, 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Caves & Claws by FAMILY PASTIMES

The museum hires a team of archaeologists to head deep into a aungle to find ancient artifacts. The players of this cooperative fantasy game are that team, which must be up for elements of suspense, careful planning, teamwork, danger and humor. The game has three parts. First, players hack out the paths to the abandoned caves and temples. Second, using the connected paths, they search for and discover the treasures. Finally, they must return safely to base camp with what they gathered. There are dangers and obstacles, such as The Creeping Claw, The Nasty Hairy Thing and Big Boulders rolling over entrances. The team may have to resort to whatever desperate remedy they find in their knapsacks to save them — a Super HeadNet, a Laser Lantern, a Piece of Broccoli, even a Smelly Sock. The game includes a 12" x 12" jungle map, pathways, movers, a tent card, a set of ancient treasure, danger, and remedy cards, and rules for regular and hard games. Launch date: April 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Global Ody-see (Economy Version) by ODYSEE GAMES

Global Ody-see is a strategic educational game designed to teach geography and history by using competitive fun and stunning images. It can be played by children and adults alike. There are two game versions, Time Limit and Home City, that may be played in school, in homeschool settings, or for family time at home. Launch date: July 2009. 4/27/2009 (Price: $30)

American Ody-see (Economy Version) by ODYSEE GAMES

American Ody-see is a strategic educational game designed to teach American geography and history by using competitive fun and stunning images. It can be played by children and adults alike. It includes reference to all 50 states plus the territories of the USA. "American Ody-see boasts two versions in each game (Time Limit and Home City), as well as being able to be played by children as young as 8 who can outplay adults, so it has an extraordinarily wide market appeal from schools, homeschooling, families and adults, even to 'serious' gamers," Len Wicks, chief executive of ody-see.com ltd, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009. 4/27/2009 (Price: $30)

Global Ody-see (Premium Version) by ODYSEE GAMES

Global Ody-see is a three-dimensional educational game designed to teach geography and history by using competitive fun, stunning images and kinaesthetic learning. It is a model of the Earth, as well as a game that can be played by children and adults alike. "Global Ody-see boasts two versions in each game (Time Limit and Home City), as well as being able to be played by children as young as 8 who can outplay adults, so it has an extraordinarily wide market appeal from schools, homeschooling, families and adults, even to 'serious' gamers," Len Wicks, chief executive of ody-see.com ltd, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 4/27/2009 (Price: $60)

Jurassic Chess by MAZEOLOGY

Veggies and Carnivores stand off in this chess game that features authentically modeled and painted dinosaur figures. Launch date: February 2009. ( Watch Video) 4/14/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Flibbix Bridge by MERILLIAN, LLC.

Expand your Flibbix possibilities with the Flibbix Bridge. A little trapdoor can send players onto a playing level they're not expecting. Launch date: February 2009. ( Watch Video) 4/9/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Super Circles by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

Players race to play all their cards by matching colored rings on the previously played card. Quick minds and fast fingers will triumph. The game "challenges your visual interpretation skills," Leah Osterhaus, VP of marketing for Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.
Awards: 2009 Major Fun Award ( Watch Video) 3/31/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

7 Ate 9 by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

Players add or subtract 1, 2 or 3 to the number on the top card of the pile to determine if they have a card that can be played next. It sounds simple, but with everyone playing simultaneously, the options are constantly changing. The first player out of cards wins. The game is for two to four players and offers "quick, easy and fun mental math practice," Leah Osterhaus, VP of marketing for Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: July 15, 2009.
Awards: 2009 Major Fun; 2010 Parent's Choice Silver ( Watch Video) 3/31/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word on the Street by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

On each turn, one team flips over a category card. Team members frantically brainstorm words that fit the category while the opposition tries to sidetrack them. The team must agree on a word and pull each letter of that word one lane closer to their side of the street, all before the time runs out. "It has excellent educational applications but feels like a party game," Leah Osterhaus, VP of marketing for Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Awards: 2009 Oppenheim Gold Award; 2009 Major; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products; 2010 Mensa Select. Launch date: June 2009.
— "A great language skills development game. I wonder if they are going to make a Spanish version," Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010. ( Watch Video) 3/31/2009 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Number Ninjas by HAYWIRE GROUP

The Golden Dragon has been discovered and ninja players must be the first to reach its location. To move throughout the game, players roll one of two sets of dice and solve the number challenge rolled. The skill level of each player determines which set of dice that ninja will use. To win the game, ninjas will solve four word challenges. While moving throughout the lands, other ninjas will try to trap opponents and block their way to the Golden Dragon. "Players will be having so much fun they won't realize they may actually be reinforcing their math skills while playing," Tami Murphy, marketing manager of The Haywire Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009. ( Watch Video) 3/31/2009 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Flickin' Chicken® by HAYWIRE GROUP

Rubber chicken meets disc golf in this ridiculously fun game.  Players each choose a different colored rubber chicken.  One player throws the target nice and far!  The target becomes the "hole," like in golf.  Players then take turns flickin' their chicken at the target.  If you don't make it on the target, throw again from where it landed. Each throw counts as a point.  Try to land any part of your rubber chicken on the target within the least amount of throws as possible. The player with the lowest score after nine-rounds is the winner.  For 2- 4 players.  ( Watch Video) 3/31/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Run Wild by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

Players race to get rid of the cards in their hands by creating sets and runs in the middle of the table. Don’t have the right cards? No problem — grab from a set or run already on the table, or play your cards on any existing set or run. It's "the fastest Rummy game available," Leah Osterhaus, VP of marketing for Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.
Awards: 2009 Major Fun ( Watch Video) 3/23/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Force Play Baseball Board Game by FORCE PLAY LLC

Force Play capsulizes the excitement and strategy of baseball: Run or hold up? Steal or play it safe? Pitch to the slugger or walk him? While taking only five minutes to learn and 20 minutes to play, Force Play is a fast and fun way to enjoy the game of baseball indoors. "Force Play is the funnest and easiest baseball board game ever made, incorporating real play-action decisions in a fluid format that allows for three exciting innings in only 20 minutes. This game has been tested extensively on baseball players and non-baseball players alike [and] on gamers and non-gamers alike, and the consensus is the same — it's exciting, easy and launches you into the thrill of baseball immediately," Riley Drake, president and inventor of Force Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 8, 2009. 3/23/2009 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gerda Gacker by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Farmer Eggbert just loves fried eggs. Who can find the same number of chickens as eggs in the pan? Whoever collects th most fried eggs wins! 3/20/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cromlet Family Board Game by PYWACKET GAMES

Claim your fortune! Twenty different Ancient Coins of unique design await your skill, luck and desire. As player’s strategies unfold, the quantity of each Coin continues to build. The temptation to claim each Coin increases as well – but don’t claim too soon, yet don’t wait too long! Players strive to claim as many of each coin as possible. As they play their cards to matching quantities of coins, their claim to their fortune begins. Sounds easy, but players encounter a few twists along the way...and a challenging strategy unfolds. Game play 30-40 minutes. Launch date: April 15, 2009. 2/27/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Polar Derby™ by GAMEWRIGHT

It's a rolling polar bear jam. Roll the colored dice to collect high-scoring polar bears from the rink. Roll doubles to trip up opponents or "Free Skate" to take your pick of the pack. But press your luck too far and you may wind up flat on your face. The player with the most points skates away with the victory. Launch date: March 2009. ( Watch Video) 2/27/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Space Future by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players engage in the adventure of completing a mission in space. Safety is paramount as lives are at stake so every player has an important role. Players gain wisdom and knowledge as the game progresses. This game is quick moving and requires strategic decisions. 2/27/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]