board game Archives

Rotten Apples: A Great “Pick” For Game Night!

November 13, 2014 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Sample provided.

One of my favorite girls’ night traditions is playing cards and board games. So when I saw a blurb for Rotten Apples, I was immediately intrigued: It looked like a combination of “Apples to Apples” and “Cards Against Humanity”, two of my favorites to play with my BFF, so I thought this would be a really fun one to try out!

Rotten Apples has the same kind of gameplay as the other games in this genre: One person serves as “Apple Picker” and selects a card from the “Prompt card” pile. The players then choose from one of the 10 “Answer cards” in their hand which they think gives the best/funniest answer to the question, and the Apple Picker selects their favorite, who snags the answer card as proof that they won the round. The winner becomes the new Apple Picker, and the game continues until one person wins three cards.

I received this card right before throwing a Halloween-themed bachelorette party, and since this is “The tasteless adult party game”, I thought it would be pretty fitting! All the guests thought it looked like a blast, but we all spent so much time chit-chatting and enjoying the buffet that we got too tired and had to call it a night before we had a chance to try it out.

So, the following weekend I asked Jai if he would play a round with me. One of the things that really appealed to me about this game is that the box says it can be played with between 2 and 10 players. Jai loves video games but loathes board games – go figure – but he humored me and agreed to play a round so I could test it out. 😉

One of the issues that my bestie and I run into is that we’re usually the only ones who want to play, so I thought a 2-player game would be perfect for our game nights! However, I don’t think Rotten Apples works very well with two people, because the Apple Picker has to vote for either their own card or their opponent’s. Neither Jai or I are competitive, so it worked OK for us because we did just vote for the card we thought was the most genuinely funny – for example, the photo above is one of Jai’s selections that I voted for over mine because it was funnier than my cards! However, this wouldn’t work for everybody, and I definitely think it would be way more fun with more players.

As for the gameplay itself, my initial impression that it was somewhere between “Cards Against Humanity” and “Apples to Apples” was dead on. The cards are most certainly very risque, but not as extreme as Cards Against Humanity. It’s also not as clever, but it’s still definitely fun! If you’re a fan of these type of games, I think it’s absolutely worth adding to your collection, because you’ll get a lot of fun out of it! Because the game comes complete with 455 answer cards and each one of the 65 prompt card is double-sided, you have a lot of options to play with before it would become stale.

Rotten Apples is sold exclusively at Toys ‘R Us for $22.99 – learn more at PlayRottenApples.com!

First to a Million Wins: Monopoly Millionaire

September 16, 2012 by Momstart 14 Comments

I’m addicted to Monopoly even though I never play the game anymore. Every time I see a new edition I want to buy it. I haven’t counted how many different versions I have in a while but I know I have a lot. I do try to not purchase every box I see because I’m on a budget so I try really hard to work with Hasbro every chance I get.

I was lucky enough to be selected to receive Monopoly Millionaire. And I love the idea of an end to the game. The board comes with 22 title deeds, 4 sets of movers (3 per player) 22 Fortune cards, 14 Millionaire lifestyle cards, 14 chance cards, 32 houses 12 hotels 2 dice money, bank tray and 4 reminder cards.

The 4 sets of movers start out as a small item and grow, a paper airplane, a jet to a really big plane. They represent basic wealth, up-and-coming and the final one was living the high life. You have the option to upgrade whenever you pass go it only costs 50K. By upgrading you increase the amount of money you are eligible to make.

Monopoly Millionaire is complete with stacks of cash (instead of single bills) and all-new, extravagant movers. The game introduces a new way to play, encouraging players to upgrade their lifestyle as they race to accumulate wealth and become the first to earn a million dollars – automatically winning the game.

As you move across the luxury-themed game board, you have the opportunity to upgrade your salary and mover – you may start off with a paper airplane, but you’ll be flying high in a private jet by the end of the game. All-new lifestyle and fortune cards keep the game moving as money shifts hands and players compete to collect properties and become the first millionaire! When you are setting the game up you need to put the fortune cards facedown on every property space at the start of the game. When you land on a space you follow the instructions on the fortune card.

And there are millionaire lifestyle cards you take one of these cards when you land on the matching space and enjoy living the dream. I would choose the boats but so would Miles because they are blue, but then again he does love airplanes more than anything else. I like how the money looks and feels. It’s thick like cardboard and there is a lot less of it so I know that the game is designed to go quickly.

The game is pretty simple as it’s just like any other Monopoly game except it’s always moving. You roll, buy or let someone else buy or pay rent. I’m really excited to add Millionaire Monopoly to my Monopoly collection.

Beginning in August and running through December, the MONOPOLY Live Like a Millionaire Online Instant Win game offers kids the chance to win an opportunity to live out their real life millionaire fantasies! Kids ages 6 – 16 can enter to win 1 of 5 millionaire VIP experiences such as a concert, movie premiere or sporting event, or 1 of 3,000 $25 iTunes gift cards by visiting www.monopoly.com/millionaire.

Follow @hasbrogamenight and “Like” Hasbro Game night on Facebook Facebook.com/HasbroGameNight to keep up to date with the new games and promotions going on.

Family Game Night This Week We’re Playing Monopoly Revolution

March 2, 2011 by Momstart 14 Comments

Monopoly is my favorite game. I have over 3 dozen different varieties of the game. Actually the total probably comes closer to 5 dozen, yes I’m a glutton for the family game of Monopoly. After Christmas and at garage sales is the best time to stock up on Monopoly games if you’re a collector like me, and Target we struck gold. We purchased Monopoly Revolution for close to 8.00 and it has been an explosion of fun. The best description I can give is Monopoly Revolution is made for our ADD generation.

The basic idea of Hasbro’s Monopoly stands, you pick your game piece out of six different characters and instead of doling out money you get a credit card. That’s right charge it baby, until you reach your limit. Now, the directions are in the box, but my husband and I always play by our own house rules. Just because we don’t like to auction off properties, but I think the official rules say that every time you land on a property you either buy it or auction it off, so here is how we play. Roll the dice and move that many spaces. Buy it. Place your credit card in the red section of the Monopoly Revolution Bank controller and make your payment. Continue with regular monopoly rules. If you land on a property that is owned and you owe rent then your card goes in the red and the property owner goes in the green. Then the calculator subtracts the total from the renter and adds the money to the owner. Just don’t forget to grab your property deed.

Now, remember how I said this game is for a generation that is always having things flash before our eyes? Well, the calculator has a mind of it’s own. Occasionally to move the game along it will make you take a chance!

Chance happens just like any other Monopoly, you usually have to pay for something unexpectedly. The chance belongs to the person that last placed their card in the machine. So if you are the last person to pass go, or the last person to pay rent then you’re taking a chance if the machine starts singing the chance song. Chance on the board is the most challenging part of the game. Because the board is broken up into four quadrants, each quadrant is a different symbol. If you are in the same quadrant as the person landing on chance then you have to participate in the chance as well. Yeah it could be good or bad, making sure to keep the game moving along and interesting.

Are you confused yet? Monopoly Revolution is a fun quick version of Monopoly. Game Time goes quickly in this version as everything seems to happen faster. Of course, my husband and I have just been stopping when we’re done and using the Calculator to tally up who has the most net worth. he’s won both times so far. We have yet to play until someone goes bankrupt. Maybe tomorrow night will be the night!

What do you play with your spouse?

ThriveTime Board Game for Teens

November 18, 2010 by Momstart 1 Comment

Playing games as a family kept my family together for a very long time. My sister and I would play and my dad would referee for as long as I can remember. Parents should encourage family time and there are quite a few fun games out there for teens too! I just received a came called Thrive Time for teens. Thrive Time puts life into perspective for kids, the players are presented with real life scenarios and you have to make smart decisions. All of the real life scenarios are geared toward teenagers. Do you want to buy a car, do you want to save your money, can you manage money. Money management is something I think should be taught in school. Yikes, I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is for some to learn how to manage money. Whoever gets to the end of the board first wins! Woo Hoo! Have fun, make decisions and be a family! A great board game for teens. Oh, and my favorite part of the game is that it encourages giving to charity. Now that is my kind of game!!

You make decisions and take action!

Smart Spending
Going to College
Giving back
Buying a Car
Using Credit Cards
Starting a Business

How to Play the Game:

You pick cards from the draw deck and make decisions based on the information given on each card. Document your decisions on your Game Sheet and move your Player Piece on the Board.
Some of the Choices You Will Make:

Is it the right time to buy a car?
How will I pay for college?
Should I start a part time business?
Should I pay for those concert tickets with cash or use my credit card?
How will I give back to my community?

How to keep Score:

While the Board tracks your Thrive Score, the Game Sheet shows the true impact of your choices.
On the Game Sheet you will:

Track the money you make (INcome) and the money you spend (EXpenses).
List your new businesses and investments.
Watch your savings grow.
Monitor your credit card balance.
See the full cost of car ownership.
Follow your college finances.

How did you do?

I received a free Thrive Time Game to review for this post.

Mastermind a game of logic review and #giveaway

January 5, 2010 by Momstart 443 Comments

additional product image Mastermind is a classic game of strategy. I’ve played it many times, it was one of my roommates favorite games. She and her boyfriend played it all the time in the apartment we lived in in college. I love logic games so it was fun to watch them play and fun to play myself. It’s still a great game. I was recently sent one of these games to review but since I already know all about it I’m going to donate it without opening. it. Thanks to Pressman, I am able to make this donation and offer one to giveaway to one of you.

But first, let’s make sure you know how to play the game:

This game is for two players only and is for ages 8 plus, but you know your child and their ability at logic. So use your judgment. Just know that there are small pieces in it and that they make a mastermind for kids. (ages 6 +)

It’s the Codemaker vs the Codebreaker

You set up your code and your opponent must guess you code in a certain amount of turns.

The code is made up of four pegs. You choose your code based on six different colors in the order and pattern of your choice. The codebreaker has 10 chances to duplicate your code based on clues you provide. You provide clues or feedback rather on the responses that the codebreaker made as guesses. Did he get two colors right? One color right? There are more than 2,000 possible code combinations and every game can be a challenge. Which is why I love it so.

When I was in college I remember my favorite professor used to complain about how they no longer teach logic in school. I was taught logic in school, but I went to a private school. Do they really not teach logic anymore? That’s insane. So if it’s true then get your children some games that will encourage logic. I find it a very important skill.

Enter to Win one for yourself.

To Enter:

Visit Pressman and tell me what other games you might like to try from them. (required)

Extra Entries:

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site and tell me where you advertised it. 10 Extra Entries
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Blurt Board Game Review/Donation and Giveaway

November 24, 2009 by Momstart 152 Comments

I was offered Blurt from Educational Insights to review and giveaway on Mom Start. I said yes but said that I would do the best review I can without opening the box because I want to donate it. I really want to make Christmas a happy time for others and my kids are too young to play this exciting game. One other reason I’m giving this game to charity is because it is for 3 or more players and well I may be a family of four but compressively we’re still only a family of two.

Blurt is a board game based on vocabulary, coming up with words. The object of the game is to make you way around the board before your opponents. One player will reads the definition of a word and it is up to you to be the first to guess the word. The game also has different skill levels. There are two sides to each card with one side being easier and more appropriate for younger kids.

For example, the definition might be "A Flat Moving Part That Sticks Out From The Body Of A Fish", then hopefully you can come up with the answer. When you do you blurt it out.

“Fin”

Then you would advance on the board. Simple but very mind boggling and for people like me nerve wracking. I have a love hate relationship for games like this. Especially when it’s played in a large adult party setting. Blurt would be perfect for that.

Blurt also wants one of my readers to receive one.

To Enter:

Visit The Play Makers and take a look around. Come back and tell me something you learned on the site.

Extra Entries:

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site and tell me where you advertised it. 10 Extra Entries
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Blog about the giveaway include a link to me and to the sponsor for 10 extra entries
Tweet the giveaway (every time you tweet you get an entry) Link to the giveaway please!!!
Comment on any other non giveaway post and come back and tell me you did
Use any of the Share options at the bottom of this post: Dig, Stumble, or fav me on Technorati (two entries for each one)
Add my button/blog to your blogroll/friend list 3 extra entries
You can vote for me too for five entries: Tell me your vote number.