2019 Holiday Gift Guide for Games
Board games bring families together around the table. So why not give games to your loved ones this holiday season? Here are our suggestions for every age and ability level.
» Read moreBlue Orange Games
SNAP Review – Panic Island!
Oh no! The volcano is about to explode! Don’t panic: get all 16 islanders (cave dwellers, dodo birds, eggs) off the island in time! Panic Island! is a speed memory game from Blue Orange Games. We’ll tell you our thoughts on it in just 5 minutes.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Slide Quest
We love Slide Quest, a cooperative dexterity puzzle game. Work together to slide the rolling knight through 5 levels, knocking enemies over on the way.
» Read more151 – Origins 2019 Interviews – The Family Gamers Podcast
Why I Hate Candy Land (and What to Play Instead)
Kids love the candy theme and the fun characters. But Candy Land is too hard, too long, and uninteresting.
So, what can we do about that?
» Read moreScarabya: Excavations that Missed the Beet(le)
It is up to you to find the most Scarab relics! From the desert to the rain forest, from the Bermuda Triangle to Antarctica, these golden beetles are scattered across the world. Set up camps and mark Excavation Areas. Can you find the most Scarabs and uncover the mystery of Scarabya?
» Read moreSNAP Review – Maki Stack
California rolls, cucumber rolls, soy sauce, wasabi – sounds delicious. In Maki Stack, you stack wooden replicas of these items. Does Maki Stack stack up? Listen to our SNAP review in under 5 minutes, or read on below.
» Read more118 – Top Picks from Essen 2018
Essen Game Fair (Internationale Spieltage SPIEL) is the world’s largest boardgame trade show. No one could hope to cover everything (and we won’t try!) We brought Nick on to help us with our top picks from Essen Spiel, accumulated through BoardGameGeek and other media. Did you know that in Germany, 118 is the directory inquiry phone number? We’re going to
» Read moreSNAP Review – Where’s Mr. Wolf?
Looking for more games to play with the littlest gamers in your family? Corey and his daughter Sasha have got you covered, with this snap review of Where’s Mr. Wolf from Blue Orange Games.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Shaky Manor
A unique dexterity game from Blue Orange Games. We’ll tell you about both modes of play for this speedy puzzle game
» Read moreSNAP Review – Who Did It?
Who Did It? is a game of memory, deduction, and rapid discarding from Blue Orange. Prove that your pet didn’t do the poo!
» Read more78 – The Family Gamers Podcast – Top 10 (or so) Games of 2017
We’re back! As the first show of 2018, we wanted to share our top games from 2017. Return of special guests Claire and Asher, who share their favorites as well. Note: These games are our favorites of the year, not necessarily the most critically-acclaimed.
» Read moreKingdomino: Crown Your Territory
You are a king (or queen), looking to expand your kingdom. As you explore the terrain, you must decide which territories will be the best and most productive. But watch out! Other monarchs are scouting the territory, too, and may steal your most-coveted lands!
» Read moreTumble Tree: Build a Baobab
A baobab tree has a thick trunk and flat, spreading branches. Why? Because the players have to build it that way! Can you build a spectacular canopy, or will your tree tumble?
» Read moreClear for Takeoff: A Race Down the Runway
One of my recently adopted criteria for a good family game is total length – from setup, through play time, to teardown. In this, Clear for Takeoff excels. Designed by Hagen Temeryazev, an airline pilot, illustrated by Etienne Hebinger, and published by Blue Orange Games, Clear for Takeoff is a card game that has you racing to get all three of
» Read moreDr. Eureka: Formula for Fun?
Test tubes clank as their contents are poured back and forth. “Eureka!” a voice shouts. “I’ve got it!” Dr. Eureka promises fast-paced, family-friendly gameplay. But does this dexterity-puzzle game master the formula for fun?
» Read moreBattle Sheep: One Sheep, Two Sheep, Red Sheep, Blue Sheep
I love playing games with my kids that have either a simple setup, a simple cleanup, or simple rules. Battle Sheep, designed by Francesco Rotta and published by Blue Orange Games, has all three. With just a handful of quality components and a very limited set of choices to make each turn, games are breezy fun with your little lambs…
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