SCRABBLE SLAM is a fast-paced word game where anything could happen! Race against each other to change the existing four-letter word and get rid of your cards. “Game” could become “fame” and “fame” could become “fate”—you never know where it’ll go. Be the first player to get rid of all of your cards to win!

Bananagrams is a fast and fun word game that requires no pencil, paper or board. All you need is a table. One hand can be played in as little as five minutes. It is a great for family fun as well as being educational. Bananagrams portability makes it perfect for travel. Just grab the pouch and go.

Bop it, baby! Can you react to the commands fast enough? With the bop it! game, you never know what's coming next!

Bop it, baby! With bop it!, you never know what's coming next. Can you react to the commands quickly enough to beat your high score? Three different orders come at you fast, and there's even a new 'Yell It!' command to keep you guessing. Play the game alone or with a group of friends in the new 'Party Bop' mode!

Fun for the whole family, Bop It is like a modern-day, handheld "Simon Says." After pulling the blue knob to activate the game, just follow the voiced directions and get ready to bop it, twist it, pull it, or shout it! But make sure you do it before the buzzer sounds! Designed for ages eight and up, the game will have you showing off your bopping talent by being the first to "stay alive."

Bop It! Ages: 8+ Requires: 3 "AAA" batteries (included) Phillips screwdriver to replace batteries No assembly required

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: The Good: Offers variety of games depending on expertise level or number of players. The Challenging: High scores are reset when batteries are changed. In a Nutshell: Travel-friendly, interactive hand-held game that's great for solo or group play.

Be the first to bop it and "stay alive!" View larger.

Colorful, Interactive, and Easy to Carry
Bop It is the same size of a small, hand-held car vacuum, and is very light--weighing under a pound--making it easy to travel with. The toy is made up of four main components--a large button in the middle to bop, a blue gadget to pull, a yellow gadget to twist, and a green lever to move sideways for shouting.

Once the game is activated, simply follow the voiced directions before the buzzer sounds. As the game goes on, you will take less time with each turn to complete the actions. So be prepared to "bop it" or "pull it" quickly!

Bop It features useful rubber grips around the "twisting" and "pulling" gadgets to prevent it from slipping out of your hands. The bright, primary colors of the gadgets also add to the fun and goofiness of the game itself.

Fun, Competitive Play or Solo Mode
Bop It can be played by one person in solo mode or in a group/party setting. The toy is interactive and mentally stimulating--which keeps the game interesting and challenging for players of all ages. Bop It promotes responsive reflexes and good listening skills, along with lots of twisting, bopping family fun.

What's in the Box
Bop It, three "AAA" batteries and instructions.

Take the challenge of the only 4-in-a-row game for 4 players. Doubling the grid and doubling the number of players creates more challenge and more fun. Take turns dropping a checker into the grid to create a line of 4 checkers horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, just like the original Connect 4. The double-sided grid allows you to make a line on either side, or by weaving through from one side to the other.For 4 players, ages 8 and up.

Connect 4 x 4 is similar to the classic original, but now you can play with up to four people, and the double-sided grid adds greater complexity and more chances to win. Designed for ages eight and up, Connect 4 x 4 may have doubled the challenge, the amount of players, and the grid--but the fun and scoring are still the same: four in a row and you win!

Connect 4 x 4 Ages: 8+ Required: 4 players

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: The Good: Up to four people can play Connect 4 x 4; features new colors and helpful blockers. The Challenging: Younger children may need pointers on the double-sided grid when first playing. In a Nutshell: Fun remake of a favorite game with added challenge and complexity.

Double-sided Grid, More Colors, New Pieces
Connect 4 x 4 is the only checkers four-in-a-row, four-player game--making it perfect for family game nights. With the new double-sided grid, you can score on both the front and back side of the game.

Game play is simple--pick a line, drop a checker in on each turn, and hope that your opponents don't foil your strategy before you get four checkers in a row! The game has also added "blockers," which can be used to block your opponents on both sides of the grid in one turn. However, make sure to save your blockers for when you really need them--you only get two and they are valuable!

When you're finished playing Connect 4 x 4, a convenient locking top slide keeps the pieces on the grid so you never have to worry about lost checkers.

Challenging Remake of a Timeless Favorite
If you grew up playing Connect 4, you'll quickly realize that Connect 4 x 4 is like having both an old favorite and a new game all in one. You can still play the game with two players, but now also have the option of playing with four. The double-sided grid adds a welcome challenge and complexity for long-time Connect 4 players. A word of warning for younger players: the added complexity may be a bit challenging to understand at first, but once they do, they'll definitely be hooked.

What's in the Box
Double-sided grid, 68 checkers (17 of each color), and eight blockers (two of each color).

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The double-sided grid adds more opportunity to score, or be scored against!

The challenge of Quiddler is to arrange your entire hand into words. Draw and discard in turn. Try to use those high point letters, but don't get caught with them uncombined! Quiddler is fast paced because you can play using everyday words. A bonus is given for the most words in each round (so little words can help you win), as well as for the longest word. Quiddler is a delightful challenge for both rookies and word game lovers. Quiddler is for up to eight players.

The rules are brutal, but the rewards are worth it in this card game that works a bit like Scrabble. Although there is a solitary version of the game for one player, you can play with up to eight. Cards containing letters of the alphabet and special combinations of letters are dealt in increasing number each time the dealer completes a round. Once you've collected your share, you can discard and pick up a new card with each turn. The object is to turn all the letters in your possession into dictionary-proof words while leaving one stray card as a final discard. You want to be the first to accomplish the goal, of course, but there is a scoring system that makes the play competitive for everyone. One nice element is the cards themselves: the letter design is based on beautiful artwork from Celtic manuscripts. This card game is a 1999 Parents' Choice Silver Award winner. --Tom Keogh

One of the most successful games of all time, Settlers of Catan is a trading and building game set in the mythical world of Catan. Players roll dice to determine which resources are generated each round and then must strategically trade those resources with other players to get what they need to build their settlements, cities, and roads. With multiple ways to gain victory points and a board that changes in every play, Settlers of Catan is a game that can be played hundreds of different ways. The base of a hugely successful franchise, with multiple engaging expansions, Settlers is the core game of many collections, and is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. For 3 to 4 players.

The Settlers of Catan from Mayfair Games is an award-winning strategy game where players collect resources and use them to build roads, settlements and cities on their way to victory. The board itself is variable, making each game a little different from the next. Each round of The Settlers of Catan is intended to keep three or four players ages 10 and above engaged for up to 90 minutes.

The game map changes every time for an endless variety of play. View larger.

Settlers of Catan engages both children and adults, garnering best-seller status in both Germany and the US. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Engaging strategy game that's different each time you play The Bad: Requires three or four players In a Nutshell: The Settlers of Catan is fun, easy to learn, and keeps advanced players on their toes At a Glance Ages: 10 and up Requires: Three or four players

On the Road to Settlement
The game rules and almanac booklet sets out four pages of guidelines for getting started. Don't worry, the rules are straightforward and the four pages include plenty of illustrations. There's a starting map that shows a well-balanced set-up for beginners to follow and directions that allow more advanced players to lay out the map of the island at random. You'll have to pop the die-cut components of the game out of their cardboard holders before you play your first game.

The almanac portion of the booklet is laid out alphabetically, so while playing you can find answers to specific questions quickly. Useful entries remind you exactly what role pieces like the robber play, how actions like maritime trade work, and how to set up the board or finish the game.

Exploring and Developing Catan
The board consists of 19 terrain hexes surrounded by the ocean. Each type of terrain produces a different type of resource: brick, wool, ore, grain or lumber. There's also a desert hex that produces no resources. As the game progresses, players use resources to build roads along the edges of these hexes and settlements or cities on the intersections where three hexes meet. Each player begins the game with two settlements and two roads.

Each player's roll of the dice causes certain hexes to produce resources, which you collect if you have a settlement on one of them. On your turn, you'll use various combinations of the resources you've acquired to build new roads and settlements, upgrade settlements to cities, or purchase development cards. The ability to trade resources with other players adds a new level of strategy and ensures that the game includes lots of interaction between players. You can also trade without worrying about other players using an unfavorable maritime trade rate. Elements including a robber piece that lets you steal from other players and a variety of development cards add intrigue to the game.

The objective of The Settlers of Catan is to be the first one who collects 10 victory points. Each settlement is worth one victory point and each city is worth two victory points. You can also earn victory points by holding the "Longest Road" card, the "Largest Army" card, or special victory point development cards.

Best-Selling Game of the Year
It's easy to see why The Settlers of Catan has been recognized as a best-selling Game of the Year in both Germany and the U. S. We found this game to be fun and engaging for both children and adults, and the variable nature of the playing field really made us want to play again and again. When we started pausing to contemplate our opponents' strategy and factoring the probability of different dice rolls into our moves, the game sometimes took longer than expected, but we were so engrossed we didn't even notice until it was all over.

Due to the widespread popularity of the original game, several expansion sets (sold separately) are available that allow you to explore new aspects of the game or add more players. The only downside to this game is that you need to have either three or four players to play, so it's great that expansion sets are available that will allow you to add players.

What's in the Box
Six sea frame pieces, 19 terrain hexes, nine harbor pieces, 18 circular number tokens, 126 game cards, 16 cities, 20 settlements, 60 roads, two dice, a robber and a rules and almanac booklet.

Quench your thirst for more Bella, Edward, Jacob, and the gang! Test your Twilight movie knowledge with this Scene It? DVD game! Collectible metal tokens included. Features heart-stopping clips from the hit film!

Scene It? Twilight Deluxe Edition features hundreds of heart-stopping clips, trivia questions, and on-screen puzzlers from the Twilight movie phenomenon! Experience customized mini-games and bonus activities that are unique to the Scene It? Twilight Game. They will challenge your observation, memory, and puzzle-solving skills. This game will quench players' thirsts for more Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, and the gang, while reliving favorite Twilight movie moments again and again! Includes game DVD, 4 collectible metal tokens, 100 trivia cards, 30 fate cards, 6-sided die, 8-sided die, and instruction sheet.

Quench your thirst for trivia with Twilight Scene It? Deluxe Edition. Recommended for ages 13 and older, this DVD/trivia game features hundreds of questions about all of your favorite moments from the Twilight movie. More than just a trivia game, Scene It? also challenges you to use observation, memory, wordplay, and problem-solving to decode special DVD puzzles. Designed for two or more players, this trivia game is ideal for both serious and casual fans of Twilight.

Scene It? Deluxe Twilight Edition Ages: 13+ Players: 2 or more Requires: DVD player TV Remote control

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Novelty factor: The Good: Unique DVD puzzles and trivia appeals to Twilight fans of all levels. The Challenging: Limited target audience, might turn off non-fans. In a Nutshell: An interactive DVD/board game, made especially for Twilight fans.

The ultimate Twilight trivia experience, this DVD/board game is packed with Twilight-themed trivia, puzzles, and mini-games. View larger.

A Dazzling Twilight Experience
From the game pieces to the trivia cards, every aspect of Twilight Scene It? has been infused with the spirit of Twilight. The game begins with players choosing one of four collectible tokens to represent their team. Sculpted out of metal, these tokens have been modeled after some of Twilight's most iconic items: Charlie's house, a baseball, Bella's truck, and Edward's piano.

Teams advance around the board by answering two types of questions: traditional trivia cards and DVD-based puzzles. The trivia cards, which resemble what you might find in Trivial Pursuit, provide questions in a wide range of difficulty. Some of the tougher questions are challenging enough to stump even the most devoted Twilight fans. Players can also strategically use special "Fate Cards" to throw their opponents off course.

The main attraction, however, is the interactive DVD. Hosted by Dr. Carlisle Cullen (played by Peter Facinelli), it is filled with hundreds of video clips, sound bites, and images from the movie. When players draw a DVD challenge card, they must solve a video puzzle. These puzzles range from memory games to message decryptions, and will put your knowledge of Twilight to the test.

Fun for Every Level of Twilight Fan
The DVD has been designed with the fans in mind. Everything about it has been adapted from the film, right down to the gothic font used for the menus. You'll see cameos by your favorite characters and relive classic moments from the film. Also included are several mini-games, so you can get a quick Twilight fix even when you're not playing the board game.

With hundreds of questions, Twilight Scene It? has something for every type of Twilight fan. The difficulty is varied enough to keep everyone engaged -- from Twilight die-hards to casual fans. Also, some of the video puzzles are completely self-contained, so even non-fans can participate in the game.

What's in the Box
DVD, game board, 4 collectible metal tokens, 100 trivia cards, 30 Fate cards, 1 six-sided numbered die, 1 eight-sided category die, 4 category reference cards, and instruction sheet.

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Apples to Apples is the game of hilarious comparisons! It's as easy as "comparing apples to apples"... just open the box, deal the cards, and you're ready to play. Select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, you win that round. And everyone gets a chance to be the judge. Each round is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons from a wide range of people, places, things and events. Includes over 1,000 cards.

Apples to Apples is an award-winning party game that will have everyone laughing. We had a blast playing this game and think it is a perfect game for a "board game night" with friends and family. It is quick to set up, easy to learn, challenging, and a whole lot of fun.

The party box includes over a thousand cards for many card combinations. View larger.

Unexpected and funny comparisons make the game fun to come back to again and again. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Quick set up; inspires quick thinking and creativity; fun for whole family The Bad: Not as fun without at least five players; subject matter targeted for mid-teens and older In a Nutshell: Quick-paced board game requires just a minute to set up and will have everyone laughing for hours At a Glance Ages: 12 and up Requires: At least four players

Smart, Award-Winning Fun
Apples to Apples has won numerous awards including "Party Game of the Year" by Games magazine and "Mensa Select" by Mensa International. And for good reason: it involves quick thinking, humor, and strategy. For teens, the game teaches them to think about how different things can be compared to one another and how analogies are formed. One of our criticisms is that although the game states that it is designed for ages 12 and older, many of the subjects are clearly for older teens.

Hilarious Comparisons and Analogies
The name of the game is a play on the phrase "apples to oranges," and the game is about making comparisons between different things. General game play is as follows: players are dealt red cards which have a noun printed on them, and the judge (a different player in each turn) draws a green card on which an adjective is printed and places it for all players to see. Each player then chooses a red card they are holding that they think best describes the green card. The judge then decides which adjective she likes best.

The fun is in the variety of unexpected comparisons people make, sometimes apt, funny, creative, or simply absurd. For example: people might match "Awkward" with "Oil Spills," "My First Kiss," "Dandruff," and "Gold Chains. " Or: "Painful" with "High School Reunions" and "Regis Philben. " Strategy comes into play since, because each player takes turns being the judge, you begin to pick up on the preferences of each player and tailor your choices accordingly.

Players can also try variations on the basic game play. For example, instead of choosing the most apt comparison, players might try choosing the red card that is least like the green one. These variations keep the game fresh and interesting every time.

Conversation Kick Starter
Part of the fun is in standing up for your choices. For instance, you might discuss why you think "Regis Philben" is painful, or segue into a discussion of the embarrassing situations you got into on your first day of school, or your first kiss. Apples to Apples excels as an ice breaker and promotes a good amount of social interaction, as many conversations will be kick started thanks to these little cards.

More Players, More Fun
Although the box states that the game is playable with just four players, we found that the game is a lot more fun when there are at least five or six players. This increases both the frequency of funny answers and also requires players to refine their strategy a little more. Once we got going, hours passed, and it was only the lateness of the hour that reminded some of us that we had to go home.

This Party Box set comes with more than 1,000 cards total, and will entertain for a long time. Additional expansion sets are available to further increase the variety of word combinations.

What's in the Box
756 Red Apple Cards, 252 Green Apple Cards, card tray, quick play rules.

Features real clips, puzzlers and trivia about America's favorite dysfunctional family. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons, this game includes everyone's favorite Springfield residents, guest stars and more from the first two decades of the show!

Test your knowledge of Simpsons trivia with The Simpsons Scene It? Deluxe Edition. Recommended for ages 13 and older, this DVD/trivia game celebrates the Simpsons' 20th anniversary, and features material from the show's first 19 seasons. More than just a trivia game, Scene It? also challenges you to use observation, memory, wordplay, and problem-solving to decode special DVD puzzles. Designed for two or more players, this hilarious trivia game is ideal for Simpsons fanatics and casual fans alike.

Scene It? Deluxe The Simpsons Edition Ages: 14+ Players: 2 or more Requires: DVD player TV Remote control

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Novelty factor: The Good: Unique DVD puzzles and trivia appeals to Simpsons fans of all levels. The Challenging: Limited target audience, might turn off non-fans. In a Nutshell: An interactive DVD/board game, made especially for Simpsons fans.

This Simpsons' 20th anniversary DVD trivia game is a dream come true for Simpsons fans. View larger.

A Trip to Springfield, Trivia Style
From the game pieces to the trivia cards, every aspect of Scene It? has been infused with the charm and humor of The Simpsons. The game begins with players choosing one of four collectible tokens to represent their team. Sculpted out of metal, these tokens have been modeled after some of the show's most recognizable icons: the family TV, the Springfield power plant, the three-eyed fish, and a slushie cup. The game board is collapsible and features two sizes, giving you the option of playing a 15-minute quick game or a 40-minute extended game.

Teams advance around the board by answering two types of questions: traditional trivia cards and DVD-based puzzles. The trivia cards, which resemble what you might find in Trivial Pursuit, come in three different categories: green "general" questions, orange "song/dialogue" questions, and yellow "pop culture" questions. They vary in difficulty, and some of the tougher questions are challenging enough to stump even the most fervent Simpsons fans.

The main attraction, however, is the interactive DVD. Featuring hundreds of video clips, sound bites, and images from the show, the DVD challenges players to solve brain-teasing Simpsons puzzles. With a variety of different puzzle categories, the DVD puts your knowledge of The Simpsons to the test. Categories include "Krusty's Cartoon Cut 'Em Ups," where players must identify a character based on a distorted image, and "Blank-Diddly Blank," which challenges players to decode clever wordplay.

Fun for Every Level of Simpsons Fan
The DVD has been designed with the fans in mind. Released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons, Scene It? is the ultimate homage to TV's most famous dysfunctional family. You'll see cameos by your favorite characters, watch video clips from classic episodes, and be treated to the Simpsons soundtrack.

With hundreds of questions, Simpsons Scene It? has something for every type of Simpsons fan. The game is difficult enough to pose a challenge to Simpsons die-hards, but casual fans don't need to worry about being excluded. So long as you can identify recurring characters like Sideshow Bob and Ned Flanders, you will be able to answer some of the easier questions.

What's in the Box
DVD, Flextime game board, 4 collectible metal tokens, 175 trivia cards, 16 buzz cards, 4 category reference cards, six-sided numbered die, eight-sided category die, and instruction sheet.

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Five Crowns is a fast paced ingenious rummy-like card game. Its double deck contains five suits (the stars are new), but it has no aces or twos. This unique deck gives you many more options for arranging your hand into sets and sequences. The challenge is to see them make the right combinations, be the first to go out, then watch the others scramble as they get one last chance to cut their losses. Five Crowns, with its beautiful cards, is easy to learn. It starts with three cards and 3's are wild. The next hand has four cards and 4's are wild, and so on. You'll need luck and skill throughout the game because even in the last hand a worthy opponent can come from behind and win. Remember, "the game isn't over 'til the Kings go wild!" Five Crowns is for up to 2 to 7 players.

October 2, 1900. 28 years to the day that noted London eccentric, Phileas Fogg accepted and then won a L20,000 bet that he could travel "Around the World in 80 Days". Now at the dawn of the century it was time for a new "impossible journey". Some old friends have gathered to celebrate Fogg's impetuous and lucrative gamble--and to propose a new wager of their own. The stakes: $1 Million in a winner-takes-all competition. The objective: to see which of them can travel by rail to the most cities in North America--in just 7 days. The journey begins immediately. Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure where players collect cards of various types of train cars that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. Included in this popular game made by Days of Wonder is a detailed board, game cards, help cards, rules, train miniatures, and more!

Join your friends in a race to claim railway routes across North America! Ticket to Ride, an award-winning strategy game, challenges players ages eight and older to complete multiple train routes connecting major cities. As miniature trains begin to populate the board map of North America, secret city-to-city rail connections are completed or hopelessly blocked by merciless competitors. Providing an enticing mixture of strategy and luck for groups of two to five players, Ticket to Ride squeezes the journey of a lifetime into a mere hour or less.

Ages: 8+ Requires: 2 to 5 players

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Railway race game balances strategy and luck of the draw. The Bad: Streamlined North American version less complex than its European counterpart. In a Nutshell: Game play often results in surprise endings.

Designed for two to five players, this highly-strategic board game will have players vying for train routes. View larger.

Secret Rail Destinations Keep Everyone Guessing
All the action takes place on a detailed, color-illustrated board map of North America. Newbies will want to dedicate 10 to 15 minutes to the well-organized instruction manual, then pass out miniature trains, train-car cards, and destination tickets to each player. Game play is straightforward and consists of only three possible moves per turn: drawing an additional train-car card, drawing a destination ticket, or building a train route.

The train-car cards are color-coded to match specific railway routes, so the basic idea is to collect multiple cards of the same color and then claim a route to score points. Destination tickets present an added challenge by assigning secret routes such as "Seattle to Montreal" and awarding bonus points for completion of these routes. Because the tickets are kept secret, each player's plan for railway domination won't be revealed until the end!

Ride the Rails in Less than an Hour
Because Ticket to Ride only requires two players and can be played in less than an hour, opportunities abound for trying different strategies. While your success relies somewhat on the luck of the draw, part of the fun is trying different strategies like drawing extra destination tickets, discarding difficult tickets, or vying for the longest continuous route (worth 10 points).

Surprise Winners and Reversals of Fortune
Once the miniature trains are played out, each player's destination tickets are revealed. Because an incomplete route can result in a loss of as many as 22 points, last-minute reversals of fortune are commonplace, and victory is never guaranteed.

While those who are already familiar with the more intricate European version of Ticket to Ride might be disappointed by this simpler version, beginners are sure to find it a wonderful introduction to the Days of Wonder board game series. Purchase of the game includes access to online game play, where additional maps and game variants await.

What's in the Box
One board map of North American train routes, 240 colored train cars (including additional replacement cars), 144 illustrated cards, five wooden scoring markers, one rules booklet, one Days of Wonder online access ticket.

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The game features real-life locations across the North American continent. View larger.

Everybody remembers the Monopoly game - that's why it's still the most popular, most widely played, and best-selling board game in the world! Across the generations and around the globe, what other game brings back so many memories of wheeling-and-dealing family fun' No other game has turned so many game playing moments into memories! Whether you're discovering the fun for the first time or reliving the carefree days of youth, get out there and Buy! Sell! Mortgage! Build houses and hotels! And collect those rents! That's what makes Monopoly the great American game - just ask Rich Uncle Pennybags! For 2 to 8 players. Game includes: game board, 10 tokens, title deed cards, play money, chance cards, community chest cards, 32 houses, 12 hotels and two dice.

In 1934, in the midst of the Great Depression, an unemployed heating engineer from Pennsylvania created the game of Monopoly. Realizing that his get-rich theme might appeal to other Americans, he had the game printed and distributed in a Philadelphia department store. When he couldn't keep up with the overwhelming requests for more sets, he arranged for Parker Brothers to take over the game. And the rest, as they say, is history. But Monopoly is far from a quaint historical relic. To this day, it remains a riveting game of luck, chance, and savvy wheeling and dealing--all of which can make some lucky dog rich, rich, rich! Based on the purchase of Atlantic City real estate (a city currently renowned for its get-rich gambling opportunities), Monopoly is now printed in 26 languages with more than 200 million sets sold worldwide. Players still scoot the same beloved board pieces: the old shoe, the terrier, and the hot rod. This set also includes rules for a shortened version of the game and a new token, winner of Monopoly's recent "design a token" contest. This is capitalism at its most fun and ruthless, a must-have edition in the family game closet. --Gail Hudson

America's number one card game, UNO offers hours of fun. It's easy to learn, always unpredictable, and never dull. It can be played with 2 to 10 players, individually, or in teams. And it can even be educational, teaching younger kids number recognition.

Who's the the Smart Ass among your friends and family? Find out with this outrageous, fast-paced party game. Each Who, What and Where am I? card has ten clues. You never have to wait for your turn in this game. Just yell out the answer as soon as you know it. Timing is everything for the true Smart Ass. Jump in too early and you may blow your chance! Wait too long and the smart ass next to you might steal the show. When will you throw your shoe in the ring? For 2 to 8 players. Ages 12 and up.

Guesstures turns up the heat on the tired game of charades with a few modernizations. Good, quick pantomiming is still the thing, but now teams need to act out and guess four words in a matter of seconds. Pop four cards into the Mimer-Timer, then set it and start acting fast! The words may look easy, but you only have a few seconds to get your team to guess each one. Did your team guess right? Quick- grab the card out of the slot before it gets munched by the Mimer-Timer! When the game's over, will your team have enough points to win the trophy for Best Performance?For 4 or more players, ages 8 and up.Contents: 1 timer, 378 cards, 1 trophy and instructions.

Now players can experience the most current version of Monopoly with an electronic banking unit instead of cash. A truly fun experience which utilizes today's trend of a cashless society.

The Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition game combines the best of classic Monopoly with updated electronic transactions. As with the original version, players still operate with money, learn real-world economics, competition and strategy, try to stay out of jail, and try their best to get filthy rich. But this version has been updated to reflect changes in how the real world uses money: All transactions are conducted with Monopoly's new banking card system. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world's most famous games. Uses two "AAA" batteries, not included.

Includes gameboard, electronic banker unit, title deed cards, chance and community chest cards, 6 debit cards, 2 dice, 6 modern tokens - Segway Personal Transporter, Baseball Cap, Altoids Tin, Space Shuttle, Flat-Screen TV and Dog in Handbag, 32 houses, 12 hotels and instructions. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world's most famous games. Uses two "AAA" batteries, not included.

The Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition game combines the best of classic Monopoly with updated electronic transactions. As with the original version, players still operate with money, learn real-world economics, competition and strategy, try to stay out of jail, and try their best to get filthy rich. But this version has been updated to reflect changes in how the real world uses money: All transactions are conducted with Monopoly's new banking card system. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world's most famous games.

Updated from the original game, the Banking Edition features updated tokens, money system, and more. View larger.

This version of Monopoly features bank card accounts. View larger.

Classic Fun with Modern Twists
Aside from the electronic banking, the basic rules of this game have not changed from the Monopoly everybody remembers. Tokens, houses, hotels, chance and community chest cards, cardboard property deeds -- if you've played the classic version, you'll know how to play. The board is different in how it folds up in the box, but once you spread it out, it's the same.

The tokens have changed to reflect today's culture. Instead of irons and racing cars, the tokens depict modern icons such as a Segway and a tin of Altoids. Instead of railroads, there are airports. The utilities are Internet service providers and cell phone services. Properties have also been updated -- from the upscale blue Times Square to the economy purple Texas Stadium. In this game, you can go to jail for identity theft or lose $1 million when a virus infects your computer network. And of course, property values are exponentially higher than in the original game.

The big switch, of course, is the electronic banking. Each player starts with $15 million in their bank card account, and the banker adds amounts (such as when the player passes go) or subtracts (such as when the player pays to get out of jail) by inserting the player's card in the plus or minus slot of the Banker Unit. When one player has to pay another player, the banker debits or credits each account as appropriate.

Monopoly for Right Now
The electronic banking is neat and easy to handle, and as an added educational bonus, the player who takes on the banker role will quickly become familiar with basic bookkeeping concepts. The bank cards operate more like debit than credit, so players will learn responsible money management, not how to run up credit card debt.

This version of Monopoly doesn't play significantly differently than the original. The game can still take hours to play, and the instructions offer several alternatives for those who want speedier play. The updates introduce a few elements of surprise along the way, but for the most part it's still the same great Monopoly that will provide the same kind of family fun with some surprising, up-to-date twists.

Pros

• Same basic game play, but with up-to-date references
• Electronic banking works well, easy to learn
• Teaches responsible money management
• Fun for both kids and adults

Cons

• Player customizations might not work with the new version
• Updated references will eventually become out of date, too

What's in the Box
Game board, electronic Banker Unit, 6 tokens, 28 title deed cards, 16 chance cards, 16 community chest cards, 6 Monopoly bank cards, 32 houses, 12 hotels, and 2 dice.

A clever tile laying game. The southern French city of Carcassonne is famous for its unique Roman and Medieval fortifications. The players develop the area around Carcassonne and deploy their followers on the roads, in the cities, in the cloisters, and in the fields. The skill of the players to develop the area will determine who is victorious. Special rules for the 12 river tiles: Remove the special starting tile from the game. Instead, begin the game by laying the spring that starts the river. Set aside the lake tile and shuffle the remaining 10 river tiles face down and draw from these before drawing from the tiles from the normal game. These tiles are played and followers may be played as in the normal game with one exception: a river tile may not be placed so that the river makes a U turn. Followers may not be placed on rivers. Once these 10 river tiles have been played, the next player plays the lake and then play continues with the normal tiles. Klaus-Juergen Wrede created Carcassonne. It is for 2 to 5 players and takes about 60 minutes to play

In this classic game of fortune, your goal is to dodge bad luck and make a buck. Along the way, you'll also earn valuable Life Tiles by doing good deeds, helping your community, or just taking a break from the rat race! Retire with the biggest fortune, and you'll win! Each space is a different adventure, so you'll get a whole new Life every time you play. What does Life have in store for you' Take a spin and find out! For 2 to 6 players. Game includes: game board, six plastic car pawns, plastic "people pegs", plastic mountains, spinner and bridge, MB money, 25 Life Tiles, deck of 36 cards, insurance policies, bank loans, label sheet and instruction sheet. Color of parts my vary.

Practice makes perfect in the game of Life. Try marriage, kids, and more. Will you go to college and take out student loans? Or join the working force and collect on payday? Will you go bankrupt, or earn millions in stock and real estate? Anything's possible with a spin of the Life wheel! A classic family game that can be a reality check--or just a fun time. --Margaret Quinn

Wits and Wagers, the game of guts and "guesstimates", is a fast-paced game that combines the most interesting elements of trivia with the excitement of gambling. Players can win by making educated guesses or by having the guts to bet on the high-payout answers of their friends. Whether it's the dramatic "all-in" question or the thrill of winning more chips, Wits and Wagers makes any gathering a party!

For 2 or more players

Go hog wild with the pig-tastic game, Pass the Pigs. Players attempt to rack up points by rolling the pig dice - but if they're not careful they might 'Pig Out' and lose all their points. Pass the Pigs is the sizzlin' fun, shakin' bacon game!

How's your tolerance for puns? You'll need some for Pass the Pigs, a simple game of chance built around a pig theme. Instead of dice, you roll two cute pink piglets, and you gain or lose points depending on how the critters land. For example, if both land on all fours, called a "double trotter," you get 20 points; if they land lying opposite each other, called a "Pig Out," you gain no points and cede your turn. There are a number of other rules as well as a variation called "Hog Call." This would be a good travel game (the pigs, instructions, and scoring pad fit in a small, tidy box) or a fine present for someone who's, well, into pigs! --Elisa Murray

Become a Farkle fanatic with this classic dice-rolling, risk-taking game. Take a risk and keep rolling to build your score, or play it safe so you don't lose your points in a Farkle. It's a fight to the finish in this fabulously fun game of strategy and luck. Includes five dice, shaker cup, score pad and rules. For 2 or more players.

In Dominion, each player starts with an identical, very small deck of cards. In the center of the table is a selection of other cards the players can "buy" as they can afford them. Through their selection of cards to buy, and how they play their hands as they draw them, the players construct their deck on the fly, striving for the most efficient path to the precious victory points by game end. You are a monarch, like your parents before you, a ruler of a small pleasant kingdom of rivers and evergreens. Unlike your parents, however, you have hopes and dreams! You want a bigger and more pleasant kingdom, with more rivers and a wider variety of trees. You want a Dominion! In all directions lie fiefs, freeholds, and feodums. All are small bits of land, controlled by petty lords and verging on anarchy. You will bring civilization to these people, uniting them under your banner. But wait! It must be something in the air; several other monarchs have had the exact same idea. You must race to get as much of the unclaimed land as possible, fending them off along the way. To do this you will hire minions, construct buildings, spruce up your castle, and fill the coffers of your treasury. Your parents wouldn

The classic crossword game played by millions around the world! Use your seven letters to build crosswords and use bonus spaces to add to your score! Genuine wooden letter tiles and racks. CHOCKING HAZARD - CONTAINS SMALL PARTS - NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3

After all these years, it's still hard to get a triple word score, the tiles are still made of wood, and there's only one "X" in the whole box. The game of Scrabble has sparked feuds and a near-cult following. All the fuss is over a spelling game that hasn't had an upgrade in 50 years. It takes a little luck and a lot of skill to make high-scoring words out of seven little letters, sometimes with an overabundance of vowels and letters that don't go together--sometimes there's Q without U. Two to four players battle it out on the board, and while some players might be proud of impressive words ("I spelled gestalt!"), skilled players know how to use the premium letter and word squares on the 225-square board to their best advantage. This crossword game has strict rules (no names, no slang) and comes with a warning label: "Choose a dictionary first to avoid any ugly word disputes." --Lynne Sampson

Generation upon generation have enjoyed Flinch since it was first introduced in 1905. Now it's back, and better than ever, bringing with it fond memories of great fun. All you have to do to win is get rid of the 10 cards in your stockpile. You'll do this by playing them in numerical sequence--whenever possible--onto the play piles in the center of the table. Sounds simple, doesn't it' Or is it' Flinch set includes rules for 5 great Flinch variations, including Flinch 2000--a "zestier" way to play with new "wild" cards, a solitaire game and a special version just for kids. Introduce this beloved card game classic to your family today! Includes 3 decks (144 cards in all) and illustrated rules and history of Flinch. For 1-8 players.

Almost a century old, Flinch is the seemingly simple but surprisingly difficult card game in which players attempt to discard from their stockpiles of 10 cards by playing them in numerical sequence (when possible). Sure, it sounds like a round of this could be over in minutes, but it never turns out that way. The original, handsome design of the cards is still intact, but the makers of the game have come up with some additional contests for modern folk, including Flinch 2000, with wild cards. There's also a solitaire version and one just for kids. --Tom Keogh

Set your secret code by hiding color-coded jungle animals under the rocky mountains. Features 3 levels of play for two players, ages 6 to adult.

Test your code-cracking prowess with Mastermind, "the challenging game of logic and deduction." The codemaker sets a code of four colored pegs--choosing from yellow, red, orange, blue, green, or white--and conceals it behind a flip-up shield. Your mission: replicate the code in 10 moves or fewer. With each of the codebreaker's attempts, the codemaker uses red and white key pegs to offer cryptic clues about color and position. Make the game even more difficult by using multiple pegs of the same color or by leaving one or more peg holes empty. With more than 2,000 possible code combinations, every game is guaranteed to be a brain-bender. All of Mastermind's components can be stored in the game board. Mastermind is for two players.

The "Corner the Market" Card Game. Shout your deal and trade your cards to "corner" the market. Be the first to get all the cards of one commodity, ring the bell, and you'll win the hand! You'll feel like a trader in the pits of the exchange! Beware of the Bear and take your chances with the Bull. DELUXE PIT is great frenzied fun.

Looking for a sure winner in the hot commodities market? Pit, the fast-paced card game from Parker Brothers, has been a bullish performer since its introduction way back in 1904. With all the ups and downs, desperate deals, and nonstop action of an actual trading floor, this lively game offers great fun without risking the family fortune. The rules are simple: Deal the cards, wait for the opening bell, scream and trade like crazy, be the first to corner a specific market (nine cards of the same suit), and ring the closing bell. Sounds pretty realistic, doesn't it? Once you've got the basic game mastered, try throwing Bull and Bear cards into the mix--that's when things get really interesting!

Pit comes neatly boxed with a set of durable game cards, instructions, and a heavy-duty metal bell that's great for slamming. There are rules included for a silent bidding version of the game, but jumping up and down, gesticulating wildly, and shouting yourself hoarse is half the fun. --George Laney

Ages 7 & up. Play a card from your hand, place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board. When you have five in a row, it's a SEQUENCE. Learn to block your opponents - remove their chips. Watch out for the Jacks - THEY'RE WILD! With a little strategy and a little luck, you're a winner! For 2 - 12 players.

With touches of canasta, rummy, and poker, this game could easily become a Friday-night favorite. The object is to get a "sequence," meaning a row of five poker-like chips on the game board. The board itself depicts lines of face-up playing cards. Players place their "crowning" chips on top of the card pictures, and can form sequences by using strategy and knowing which Sequence cards to keep or discard. Since forethought, luck, and backup plans are the keys to winning, this game is probably too sophisticated for children under 7 years old. (But young ones can team up with adults.) Included are 104 playing cards and 50 crowning chips in each color: red, blue, and green. --Gail Hudson

Stylish, comfortable and engineered with cutting-edge Bluetooth wireless technology?, the Motorola S9 helps provide wireless access to music and voice calls - while on the go. Compatible with Bluetooth-enabled stereo music phones and with iPod players equipped with the TEN Technology naviPlay Bluetooth Stereo Adapter for iPod (sold separately)?, the Motorola S9 is perfect for delivering favorite tunes and connecting you to calls wirelessly with lightweight design.

Stay in tune and connected while strolling down the street with the Motorola Motorokr S9 active Bluetooth headphones. Combining ease of use with the latest Bluetooth wireless technology, the phones are ideal for Bluetooth-enabled cell phone owners or for iPod owners with compatible adapters. The S9 phones are distinguished by a behind-the-head design that weighs just over an ounce, providing the ultimate in comfort whether you're working out or riding mass transit. The phones' ultra-compact 0.51-inch ear buds, meanwhile, fit softly in the ear even during extended use--a must for long conversations or listening sessions. And users will love the innovative touch-sensitive controls on the sides of the headband. The touch controls let you easily adjust the volume, skip or repeat tracks, or answer a phone call while on the move.

The stylish S9 wireless headphones fit comfortably behind the ear and weigh just over an once.

The S9 phones make a terrific workout partner thanks to the wireless technology and the water- and sweat-resistant design. Want to listen to your iPod at the gym without getting tangled in wires? Buy an iPod Bluetooth adapter and you're set. Alternatively, you can listen to your mobile phone's music selection during tough workouts, or even music from your home stereo while lifting weights nearby using the DC800 stereo adapter.

The phones are compatible with Bluetooth 2.0-enabled cell phones, iPods with Bluetooth adapters, and select other devices.

Phone-wise, the S9 headphones are built to provide superior call quality, less interference, and faster connections thanks to the Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology. Class 2 Bluetooth also provides a range of up to 33 feet--enough for a variety of home and portable applications. For optimal outdoor performance, users should position the music device in close proximity to and in the line of sight of the S9's internal antenna, which is located in the base behind the user's head. Placing the music device in a front pocket is not recommended.

Other details include support for up to six hours of music listening or seven hours of talk from a single charge of the 180 mAh lithium-ion battery; a mini USB connector for charging; and a stylish black housing with red highlights. The phones measure 4.9 by 1.8 by 5.1 inches (W x H x D), weigh 1.14 ounces, and are backed by a one-year warranty.

Note: Motorola Bluetooth stereo products (headphones and adapters) are compatible with any brand of Bluetooth-enabled phone or music device that supports Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) protocols. In order for Bluetooth devices to communicate with one another, they must utilize the same Bluetooth profile. To determine the profiles supported by other Motorola devices, visit www.hellomoto.com/bluetooth. For other devices, contact the respective manufacturers. Certain Bluetooth features--including those listed--may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices or by certain wireless carriers. Contact your wireless carrier about feature availability and functionality.

What's in the Box
S9 Bluetooth headphones, USB charger, user's manual.

Power Wheels 12 Volt 00801-0638 Battery for systems using one grey battery. (00801-1048)