The Family Gamers

Road Trip Dice Game: Getting There is Half the Fun

August 5, 2019 Nick Martinelli Reviews

Do you enjoy the freedom of open roads and pausing to explore landmarks along the way? Have fond memories of taking road trips with family or friends? Or were your road trips right out of the Griswold family vacation playbook with a little bit of chaos just for fun? If you checked any of the boxes above, you’re ready for

Pikoko: Trick Taking with Peacock Panache

July 8, 2019 Updated: August 20th, 2019 Nick Martinelli Reviews

Pikoko yellow peacock holding feather cards

Pikoko turns traditional trick-taking upside down with feathery flair. Place bets on the tricks that each player will take. The only catch is that you can see their cards but not your own!

» Read more

animals, birds, Brain Games, Card Game, card games, Nick, trick taking

150 – Theme – The Family Gamers Podcast

June 24, 2019 Anitra Smith Podcast Episodes, The Family Gamers Podcast

Nick joins us for episode 150, where we cover some recent favorite games, and discuss THEME. Each of the three of us has a different take on theme and its role in board games.

» Read more

Anitra, Family Games, Family Gaming, Game Theme, Nick, origins

SNAP Review – Inoka

June 7, 2019 Updated: December 6th, 2020 Nick Martinelli SNAP Reviews

Forest creatures fight in a beautifully illustrated game reminiscent of rock-paper-scissors for 2-4 players. Nick tells us what his family likes about Inoka.

» Read more

audio, battle, Card Game, card games, Izzy, Nick, XYZ Game Labs

Roll For Your Life, Candyman: Let’s Get Ready to Crumble!

May 20, 2019 Updated: August 7th, 2023 Nick Martinelli Reviews

Four cookies enter, one cookie leaves, in this fast-rolling, dice chucking game of Gingerbread cookie carnage. Bring Thunderdome to the tabletop and take on the role of a Gingerbread cookie gladiator.

Junk Orbit: Always Be Delivering!

May 13, 2019 Updated: July 17th, 2023 Nick Martinelli Reviews

In Junk Orbit, players take on the role of salvage ship captains scouring the galaxy for space junk and delivering it to any city that will take it. Eject unwanted junk from airlocks to propel yourself around the cosmos. Simple astrophysics for profit!

Professor Treasure’s Secret Sky Castle: Reclaiming Riches!

April 16, 2019 Updated: November 12th, 2020 Nick Martinelli Reviews

In Professor Treasure’s Secret Sky Castle, players compete over three rounds to earn the most points by collecting stolen treasures from the Professor’s Castle. It’s a puzzle-y game where you’ll need to outwit your opponent by sending adventures out with unique abilities to collect these priceless treasures. Be wary as the other team will seek to thwart you every step of way.

Hanamikoji: Elegant Choices

March 25, 2019 Updated: November 12th, 2020 Nick Martinelli Reviews

Hanamikoji is a beautiful compact game for two players from Deep Water Games. Win the favor of geisha by playing their favored items, but choose carefully! You’ll also have to give cards away to your opponent.

» Read more

2 players, Card Game, Deep Water Games, EmperorS4, Nick

SNAP Review – Fry Thief: A Deliciously Good Time

February 1, 2019 Updated: September 19th, 2022 Nick Martinelli Hall of Fame Reviews, SNAP Reviews

If your friend orders fries, you may experience regret. But what if you stole some fries from your friend? They won’t notice, right? That’s the idea behind Fry Thief, a quick game for two hungry players.

» Read more

2 players, audio, food, Izzy, Kickstarter, Nick, Preview

Sports Dice Football

January 28, 2019 Updated: October 16th, 2023 Nick Martinelli Reviews

“What I love best about Sports Dice Football is that it plays in real-time; there are no commercial breaks or risqué half-time shows. The best roll makes the play. Rules are simple, making it appealing for new players.”

SNAP Review – The Potion

January 25, 2019 Updated: June 23rd, 2021 Nick Martinelli SNAP Reviews

In this group game, predict and out-think your opponents’ choices. Discard all but one of your ingredients and win. Listen to our wizards’ impressions in 5 minutes.

SNAP Review – Squeezamals: Freeze N Squeeze

January 11, 2019 Updated: August 20th, 2019 Nick Martinelli SNAP Reviews

Let’s go get some ice cream, with the Squeezamals Freeze ‘N’ Squeeze game from Big G Creative. Whether your kids already love Squeezamals or have never heard of them, they’ll have squeezy, freezy, frantic fun with this fast-moving game. Hear Nick & Izzy’s thoughts in less than 4 minutes, or read on below.

» Read more

5 players, 6 players, animals, audio, Big G Creative, food, Izzy, Kids, Nick, party game, speed games

SNAP Review – Robots & Rockets LIGHTSPEED

December 31, 2018 Updated: August 20th, 2019 Nick Martinelli SNAP Reviews

Robots & Rockets: LIGHTSPEED is the second entry in the Robots & Rockets series from designer Sye Robertson. Now that you’ve mastered robot tourism, you must practice the art of building rockets. Did our rockets launch to lightspeed, or did this game fizzle out? Listen to our thoughts in under 5 minutes, or read on below.

» Read more

audio, card games, Family Games, Izzy, Kids, Nick, robot, Rule and Make Games

RobotLab: S.T.E.A.M. That Won’t Short-Circuit

December 17, 2018 Updated: June 6th, 2019 Nick Martinelli Reviews

“In RobotLab, you’re a scientist racing to build your robot and win the coveted Devol Prize in Robotics! Along the way you’ll need to do some research, dig through the trash, deal with some faulty parts, and do your best to avoid the other scientists trying to stop you. Will you become the first to successfully complete your robot?” RobotLab

» Read more

Card Game, card games, Nick, robot, Science, set collection, STEM, take that, XYZ Game Labs

SNAP Review – Home Alone: The Game

December 8, 2018 Updated: November 24th, 2020 Nick Martinelli SNAP Reviews

Hello? Hello? Mom, Dad? Don’t leave me home alone!

Play as Kevin McCallister or the Wet Bandits in the Home Alone Game from Big G Creative. Hear our thoughts in about 10 minutes, or read on below.

» Read more

audio, Big G Creative, bluffing, Card Game, hide and seek, Izzy, Nick

Mini DiverCity: A Race to Save the Reef

November 19, 2018 Updated: August 21st, 2019 Nick Martinelli Reviews

In Mini DiverCity, divers work together against corporations to save archipelago from ecological ruin. All players win together by saving a set amount of species.

SNAP Review – Robots & Rockets

October 19, 2018 Updated: February 19th, 2021 Nick Martinelli SNAP Reviews

BEEP – Get the most robot tourists to their destinations in Robots & Rockets. Nick & Izzy tell us what they enjoy about this fast family game.

» Read more

audio, Izzy, Nick, robot, Rule and Make Games, spaceship

Dinosaur Tea Party: Delightful Dino Deduction

October 15, 2018 Updated: September 19th, 2022 Nick Martinelli Hall of Fame Reviews, Reviews

Dinosaur Tea Party: dinosaurs, teacup, board game

You’ve been invited to Dinoton Abbey for high tea; one of the most exclusive invites in all of Britain. Adorned in your finest attire, you stroll into the party and survey the room. Everyone is catching up on all the latest gossip and worldly affairs, while sipping tea and eating glorious cakes.