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.

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.

View larger.

View larger.

View larger.

Find it fast, find it first! Pictureka is the exciting game of visual hide and seek. Players compete to collect the most mission cards to win the game. Great for the whole family, and kids as young as six can play with older kids and parents. No batteries required.

New updates make this classic game even more exciting in this aim, slide and score target game. In SORRY! Sliders, you'll have a blast sliding and bumping someone back to start. But watch out -- it won't be so enjoyable when it happens to you! Modular game board provides four ways to play. For 1 to 4 players.

Sorry! Sliders has put a fun, new twist on the all-time favorite game by turning it into a shuffle board game of sorts--where players slide their pawns to home, or slide their opponents pawns into the Sorry! spaces and off the board to win. Designed for children ages six and up, Sorry! Sliders can be played with up to four players, making it the perfect game for family nights.

Sorry! Sliders Ages: 6+ Requires: Adult assembly 1 to 4 players

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: The Good: Everyone plays at the same level--even smaller children can win. The Challenging: Older kids may eventually lose interest in repeated play. In a Nutshell: Fun new take on the classic game of Sorry!

Pawns have balls on the bottom for super sliding power. View larger.

Four Different Games for Slider Fun
The Sorry! Sliders game features the primary Sorry! colors of blue, red, yellow, and green. There are 16 rolling pawns, and 16 scoring pawns which are smaller in size and do not contain the rolling balls in the bottom. The game also includes four different versions of gameplay--a fun, new variation from the original Sorry! that only offers one way to play. Sorry! Sliders is also very easy to clean up, since the cards have been eliminated.

Great for Family Game Night and Counting Practice
Sorry! Sliders doesn't require a lot of strategy or skill level, so it can be played with all different age groups while remaining fun and interesting for everyone. Plus, it is a game that you can play for either a short or long period of time.

Sorry! Sliders can also have educational values for younger children working on their counting skills, since players have to count up points and add up final scores. And with easy setup and cleanup to boot, it's hard not to welcome the newest Sorry! game into your home.

What's in the Box
Two two-sided target boards, four tracks, four score boards, eight side rails, three blocker rails, 16 roller pawns, and 16 scoring pawns.

Same favorite colors and same idea--yet twice the fun!

Blokus develops logic and spatial perception while kids learn to be tactical. Players take turns placing pieces on their board, each starting from their corner. Each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same color, but only at the corners. The goal is to get rid of all your pieces. The game ends when all players are blocked from laying down any more of their pieces. Includes one game board with 400 squares, 84 game pieces in four bright translucent colors, and an instruction guide.

Fun for both kids and adults, Blokus is a strategy board game that challenges spatial thinking. Bright colors and simple rules make it ideal for ages five and up, but adults will certainly be engrossed by this unique and challenging game.

Not Your Average Board Game
Blokus encourages creative thinking and has received a Mensa award for promoting healthy brain activity. The goal of this game is for players to fit all of their pieces onto the board. When placing a piece it may not lie adjacent to the player's other pieces, but must be placed touching at least one corner of their pieces already on the board. The player who gets rid of all of their tiles first is the winner and strategic thinking helps as you block moves from your opponent. Blokus sometimes comes to an end because there are no more possible moves.

Four players make this abstract game especially fast and exciting; however, it can be just as fun for two or three players. Blokus has come up with a number of different ways to play the game to make it more thrilling when playing with less than four players. Draft Blokus allows a player to use more than one color and Reverse Blokus reverses the entire game so that the person who places the least amount of tiles on the board is the winner. It can even be played in a solitaire version when one player attempts to place all of their pieces in a single sitting. A game of Blokus typically lasts a 30 minutes. As a practical feature, raised edges on the board help keep the tiles in place and allow convenient clean-up. This game includes 84 pieces in four vibrant colors, an instruction guide, and one gameboard with 400 squares.

Blokus is simple to understand, but the game's complexity is revealed shortly after everyone begins to play. It can be addictive, even for those not normally into abstract games. Blokus is a catalyst for spatial thinking, as players form images in their mind before placing the pieces on the board. Children and adults can play together for hours of competitive family fun. As Europe's 2003 Game of the Year, Blokus is adored by many and even played in professional tournaments.

What's in the Box
84 pieces in four colors, gameboard with 400 squares, and an instruction guide.

Once a piece has been placed on the board it can't be moved, so plan your moves carefully.

Adding to the game's challenges, each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same color, but only at the corners.

Since 1934, players of all ages have been chasing one another around the classic game board, trying to get their own four pawns from Start to Home. But it's not that easy, because you never know what the next card will hold: Will you move forwards or backwards' Will you hit a slide and shoot ahead, or will an opponent bump you back to start' For 2 to 4 players. Contents include: Sorry! game board, deck of cards, and 16 pawns.

This classic game of luck, strategy, and determination is easy to grasp for children as young as 6 years old, yet it's fun for adults and older siblings too. By drawing cards, players move their game pieces around the board, hoping to eventually accumulate all their pieces at the final destination--home sweet home. Sorry is known as the game of "sweet revenge," since players can send each other's pawns back to the starting line, thus forcing one another to lose ground and begin all over again. This kind of frustration may be hard for children under age 8 to handle. In fact, young ones typically crumble into tears of outrage when their pawns are cavalierly sent back. The only recourse is to teach children how to plot their own revenge, which makes them feel as powerful as superheroes.

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.

View larger.

View larger.

View larger.

It's the same classic "Guess Who" fun, but with tons of fun extras. This deluxe version of Guess Who has six total themes and more than one hundred characters to play with. An electric timer, lights and sounds also accompany the fun. All game pieces are contained in the new compact case, so kids can bring their gaming fun on the go. Requires two "LR03" batteries, not included.

Wild Planet and Amazon.com have teamed up to offer this item in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging, a recyclable, easy-to-open alternative to traditional packaging. A Frustration-Free Package comes without excess packaging materials such as hard plastic clamshell casings, plastic bindings, and wire ties. It’s designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your product just as well as traditional packaging during shipping.

It's your turn to choose sides. Vampire or Werewolf. Then encounter friends and foes. Collect movie scene cards and reunite Bella and Edward! The more you know about the Twilight Saga: New Moon - and your friends - the better your chance at winning!

SpongeBob's trapped in Plankton's lab, with 12 ailments designed to make him blab! Can you help your Bikini Bottom buddy keep the Krabby Patty recipe a secret' Perform delicate undersea surgery on his Barnacle Brain, Clammy Hands and Patty Pleasure Center without setting off the buzzer. The surgeon with the steadiest hands earns top pay and saves the day. Includes gameboard with SpongeBob SquarePants "patient" and tweezers, 24 cards, 12 plastic Funatomy parts, play money and rules. Requires 2 "AA" batteries, not included.

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

Ages 3 & up. Play a card from your hand, place your chip on a corresponding character on the board. When you have 4 in a row, it's a SEQUENCE and you win! Use a UNICORN card to place your chip anywhere. Remove your opponent's chip with a DRAGON card. Have fun with your friends and family.

Sixty has never looked so good! This Diamond Anniversary Edition Scrabble features sleek black and silver tiles, a rotating board splashed with color, curved letter racks of smoky red plastic, and much more. With two built-in side trays for storing game pieces and a raised grid that keeps your letters in place, this anniversary edition of Scrabble will please all players ages eight and above.

The new curved letter racks make it easier to see all your letters. View larger.

Built-in drawers makes it easy to keep everything organized. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Sleek and colorful new look gives this Scrabble set a touch of class. The Bad: Carrying case doesn't shut. In a Nutshell: A snazzy improved edition of Scrabble that's both fun and functional. At a Glance Ages: 8 and up

Expert Tips and Fascinating History
If you've never played Scrabble before, the Gameplay Guide explains the rules in a clear, easy-to-read way. It also has lots of tips to sharpen your game (a list of "q-without-u" words, for example). The sturdy plastic board needs no assembly and the storage trays cleverly built into the bottom of the board are easy to find, especially with help from the Gameplay Guide. The game also comes with a Gameplay Guide that offers many helpful hints, as well as interesting historical tidbits (For example, did you know the game used to be called "Criss Cross Words?")

A Sleek New Look for Scrabble
The black-and-silver tiles, the smoky red racks, and the velvety tile pouch give this Scrabble set a touch of class. The curvature of the racks help you to see your letters more easily than you could on the old, straight racks. During gameplay, the raised grid will help keep your tiles firmly in place, even when the board spins towards another player. The pouch helps keep all the letters and racks together during play. Put them in the storage trays when you're done, fold the board back up -- and voila -- you have a carrying case that makes this deluxe Scrabble game easy to take with you.

Fun and Functional
We really liked the look of this colorful board, with its cheerful blue, green, red, and orange "premium" squares. We also appreciated the way the set folds up into a carrying case, complete with the storage trays and handle. It's not advertised as a travel set, but you can use it that way. You just have to be careful to hold the set closed when transporting it, since it doesn't snap shut. Also, the storage trays can get a little full when you try to put all the letters and racks in one tray, so make sure you tuck everything neatly into the tray so it will close.

Millions of people around the world love the game of Scrabble, and we're sure they'll be just as happy as we are to see this new, improved edition with features that make it both more fun and more functional!

What's in the Box
Scrabble board with two built-in storage trays, 100 letter tiles, tile pouch, four racks, and gameplay guide.

Beep, beep! Tweet-tweet! Ribbet! This all-new game of Operation offers a full multi-sensory experience like never before. In this game of silly skills, it's all about the senses. Hilarious sound effects are sure to tickle your funny bone, and new funatomy parts include textured, gooey parts. There is also a success button on the patient's nose. Rather than cards or money, the game now prompts players on which part to remove next. Features 2 skill levels and a storage drawer for all the funatomy parts. For one or more player. Requires 4 "AAA" batteries, not included.

6 Dunder Mifflin Employees, 9 Locations, 9 Office Weapons. . . Dunder Mifflin Regional Manager, Michael Scott, calls a ?MANDATORY? team-building event, where six employees work independently to figure out. . .WHO ?killed? Toby Flenderson!! WHAT office weapon was used!! WHERE at Dunder Mifflin did it occur!! The employee that wins gets a week?s paid vacation! Will Dwight do what it takes to thwart the competition? Will Stanley sit back and work on his crossword puzzle? Will Andy?s overconfidence work against him? If the crime is not solved by the end of the day, Michael will give up on his team and go home. Can you outwit your co-workers and overcome your boss?s meddling to win the game? Game comes complete with 9 custom Weapons, custom game board, 6 Suspect movers, Deck of Personality Cards, Deck of Rumor Cards, Custom score pad, Clue scandal envelope and 2 dice. AGES 9+ v 3-6 players

This is the classic "child's first game", and preschoolers will love it. Children draw colored cards, and move their plastic gingerbread playing tokens to the next square of the same color. Passing the peppermint forest and the ice cream sea on the way, the first one to reach the candy castle wins. No need to read to play this game.2 to 4 players can play this game. This board game includes a game board, four plastic playing pieces, 64 cards, "Legend of the Lost Candy Castle", and instructions in English and Spanish.

"Once upon a time, King Kandy, the Imperial Head Bonbon and Grand Jujube of Candy Land disappeared." Thus begins the magical journey of Milton Bradley's classic Candy Land board game. Captivated by the story of a kidnapped king and eager to help find him, little ones move their gingerbread pawns along a rainbow path and through a land of candy characters, all subjects of King Kandy's realm.

Playing cards thoughtfully designed for non-readers are coded with colorful squares matching the jeweled stepping-stone path or an occasional token matching one of the characters' symbols: draw a blue card, move to the nearest blue stepping-stone; draw a snowflake and earn a visit to Queen Frostine's iceberg. There are occasional pitfalls, too: land on the wrong square and you might be stuck in Molasses Swamp until a red card is drawn. With all these enticing, sugarcoated images (and King Kandy plainly visible at path's end), children can't help but be delighted by Candy Land. It's delicious! Instructions are in both Spanish and English. Candy Land is for two to four players) --Julie Ubben

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.

Twister is the game that ties you up in knots. Spin the dial and move a hand or foot to the colored circle on the floor mat. Can you get there' dont touch the mat with anything but a hand or foot. It is for 2 or 4 players. It includes a spinner, a mat and instructions. Instructions are available in English and Spanish.

Over forty years old and going strong! Soon after its release in 1966, Twister was made instantly popular when Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor played it on The Tonight Show. Such a simple concept, with so much potential for hilarity. The game includes a plastic mat with red, blue, yellow, and green spots; a spinner; and instructions. To play (as if you didn't already know…), two to four players face each other, with the plastic mat in the center. A referee spins the spinner, then calls out the body part and the color the arrow points to ("Left foot, blue," "Right hand, yellow"). All players, at the same time, follow the directions, placing the appropriate body part on a vacant circle. Players become increasingly entangled, until someone (or everyone) finally topples, and is eliminated. The last person standing—er, crouching—wins. If this doesn't bring families and friends (and celebrities) closer together, we don't know what does! Out-and-out fun. --Emilie Coulter

It's the classic race-and-chase game with the PopoMatic die-rolling bubble! Pop the bubble and hop your pegs around the track. Land on an opponent's peg to bump it back home! But don't you get bumped back, or you're in Trouble! Keep poppin' and hoppin' to get all 4 of your pegs to the finish line first, and you win! Trouble includes plastic game unit with PopoMatic die roller, gameboard, 16 plastic playing pegs, and 4 rubber feet.

Trouble is a board game with a simple concept: Be the first player to send your four game pieces all the way around the board, moving spaces determined by rolls of the dice. The "trouble" of the title comes when an opponent's piece lands on a space occupied by your piece, thus sending yours back to the beginning. Parents will likely remember the game from their youth, or at least remember the game's signature gimmick, the pop-o-matic dice roller. The Pop-o-matic is a dome-shaped clear plastic housing for the dice in the center of the board game that automatically tumbles the dice when pressed down and released. This feature, plus the board's plastic slots that hold the game pieces in place, make Trouble a perfect travel game--car or boat motion won't upset the game's progress. It is indeed satisfying to press, slap, or pound the pop-o-matic. It's strong enough to withstand the frustration of the losing player(s). The game's simplicity makes it easy to jump into without elaborate explanations or practice games for new players, but it's utter lack of strategy will likely limit interest to just a few rounds. --Porter B. Hall

Need an icebreaker? Want to work out some aggression without shin guards and helmets? Popomatic Trouble, Milton Bradley's classic race-and-chase game, is guaranteed to bring out your competitive side. Try to outstrip your opponents as you race your pawns around the colorful plastic board to safety. Should you have the good fortune to land on a space occupied by another player, you can send him reeling back to start, where he must wait for a six to pop up (literally) on the capricious dice bubble in the center of the board. Once liberated, your foe is free to reciprocate--now you're in Trouble.

The crystal ball on which the fates of all rest, a.k.a. the Popomatic Dice Bubble, is the genius behind this game, and is one reason it has become a classic. Encased in its bubble, the die never goes flying, rolls off the table, or gets lost. Simple to learn and exciting to play, Popomatic Trouble is a game that never loses its thrill. Popomatic Trouble is for two to four players. --Julie Ubben

TRIVIAL PURSUIT: The Beatles Collectors Edition. COME AND GET IT! For the first time ever, Americas favorite trivia game teams up with the worlds most legendary rock-n-roll band. Are you the ultimate Beatles fan? Now you can show off your Beatlemania by acing over 2,500 fab questions from six categories covering two decades of everything Beatles - including their history, music, movies, album and single releases, their rise to fame in America and their post-Beatles pursuits. Theres a challenge for every fan as players rock-n-roll a Beatles die to determine the question level: easy, medium or hard! And a customized game board totally rocks with an all-new bonus track that creates more strategy, more interaction and more Beatlemania as players enter different zones including Come Together, All You Need Is Love, Get Back and Ticket to Ride. Its a game youll want to play Eight Days A Week!

Wage turbo-top battle like never before with the official Battle Striker Tournament Set. Recommended for ages six and older, this versatile set comes with two exclusive Battle Strikers -- Turbine and Mauler. These are no ordinary tops: by using the power of magnets, you can actually direct where your tops go as they're spinning in the Battle Striker arena.

Battle Strikers Tournament Set Ages: 6+ Requires: 6 "AA" batteries (not included)

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Novelty factor: The Good: Magnet mechanism allows you to control strikers as they spin; able to build custom strikers. The Challenging: Arena might be too small for more intense battles. In a Nutshell: An ideal Battle Strikers starter set, complete with 2 strikers and an arena.

Battle Strikers allow you to control your striker with the power of magnetism. View larger.

The set comes with two exclusive strikers: Mauler, a heavy attack striker... View larger.

...and Turbine, a defense-oriented striker. View larger.

A New Top for a New Generation
Battle Strikers might resemble a traditional top toy on the surface, but there's more here than meets the eye. Each Battle Striker has its own name and features. They have differing designs and themes, and come in varying sizes and hefts. Each top really is individual and distinct. Their differing sizes and densities shape how each of them handles in "battle." The two included with this set are Mauler -- a ferocious top that specializes in quick attacks -- and Turbine, whose heavy weight helps him defend against attacks.

Each striker consists of a large ring, a magnetic ball bearing, a ball aligner, and a smaller ring. The parts interlock easily, making assembly quick. You can even mix and match parts from different strikers to make your own, personalized striker. There are currently a dozen different Battle Strikers available on the market. You can collect them all to complete your striker collection, or use their parts to build a brand new striker.

Battle Your Friends
Battles begin by using the launcher to fire your striker. Powered by six "AA" batteries, the launchers stick to the magnets in the striker. When you're ready to launch, you simply press the launcher's trigger to "rev" the striker and tap the launcher with your fist. This will send your strikers spinning into battle. We were impressed by the speeds they could reach; collisions between two strikers are quite forceful.

With traditional tops, you usually can't control a top's direction after you've sent them spinning. However, Battle Strikers come with a special glove, which uses the power of magnets to control where your tops go. The glove is worn over your fingers, and allows you to control your top's movements. This opens up options in battle significantly: instead of leaving it up to chance, you can actually plan your attacks. Controlling the tops does take a bit of finesse, but with some practice, you'll be well on your way to becoming a Battle Striker master.

The Tournament Set also comes with a sturdy plastic arena. Its surface is hard and slick, providing an ideal space for your strikers to spin on. However, while the space is enough to accommodate two battling tops, some players might find the arena restricting. Battles involving two or more tops will have to be staged on a larger battleground. The arena also features six slots to store your Battle Strikers in.

What's in the Box
Arena, two launchers, two tops with components, and two magnetic gloves.

With Rush Hour Junior, younger players can experience the fun and challenge of Rush Hour in this exciting junior version. After setting up their game board according to pictures on various challenge cards, players steer their ice cream truck through a jumble of blocking cars, trucks and buses. A playful theme and 40 age-appropriate challenges will keep even the most restless child captivated for hours

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

Was it Draco Malfoy with a Sleeping Draught in the Owlery? Kids will love taking on the roles of their favorite Harry Potter characters in this HP twist on the classic game Clue. Race through the halls of Hogwarts to discover who did it and what spell or magical item was used and where the student was attacked. Hasbro Games. Ages: 9+

Rush Hour is the mind-challenging game of pure bumper-to-bumper fun! Players set up the cars and trucks on a game grid to match one of forty color-coded challenge cards, and then try to maneuver the red car to escape the gridlock. Four levels of play range from beginner to expert. Measures 9"W x 8"H x 2.5"D.

Honk! Honk! It's gridlock and the little red car can't move. The player is a traffic cop in the Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle where the objective is to get the red car off the road. To play, pick one of 40 challenge cards; solutions are printed on the back of each card. Then set up the cars and buses in a specified pattern on the 6-inch-square road grid. Move the vehicles one by one (obey those traffic laws!) until the red car can escape the traffic jam. There are four levels of difficulty. Kids can alternate turns with another player or just "play in traffic" alone. The game from Binary Arts received a national award from Mensa and is used in elementary school math classes. The design includes clear instructions printed on the sturdy box, which can be used both as a playing tray and for storage. The game cards stow away in a drawer in the road grid. This is a 1999 Parents' Choice recommended toy. --Marcie Bovetz

With this revolutionary chess teacher, you'll be playing the world's greatest game in no time at all! Unlike any other chess teacher, No Stress Chess teaches you how to play using illustrated cards and an illustrated two-sided game board. Includes two-sided chess board, 17 charcoal pieces, 17 ivory pieces, 56 action cards, black plastic card tray and instructions. For two players.