Gamewright is a publisher with a strong track record of excellent games for children and families. I always look forward to visiting their booth at Toy Fair. 2009 was another good year as the company highlighted eight new games, including two new dexterity games, a new party game, several new children's games, and an addictive-looking dice game. (Click on the photographs to see larger versions.)
1. Polar Derby
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up. Scheduled to be available in March 2009, about $15.
This dice game looks like it will be an addictive, light family game. Players roll colored dice to collect polar bears (each color is worth a different amount). But pressing your luck too far can backfire, causing you to lose all the points you've accumulated on that turn. A lucky roll of the dice can also give you a special ability, or allow you to steal a polar bear from another player.
This dice game looks like it will be an addictive, light family game. Players roll colored dice to collect polar bears (each color is worth a different amount). But pressing your luck too far can backfire, causing you to lose all the points you've accumulated on that turn. A lucky roll of the dice can also give you a special ability, or allow you to steal a polar bear from another player.
2. Ring-O Flamingo
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 to 4 players, ages 6 and up. Scheduled to be available in March 2009, about $25.
In this dexterity game, players flick flexible lifesavers onto flamingos as fast as possible. At the same time, you want to avoid the alligators since ringing one of them with your lifesaver counts against you.
In this dexterity game, players flick flexible lifesavers onto flamingos as fast as possible. At the same time, you want to avoid the alligators since ringing one of them with your lifesaver counts against you.
3. Funny Business
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 4 to 8 players, ages 12 and up. Scheduled to be available in March 2009, about $28.
This party game challenges players to think of creative company names for mismatched businesses. What would you call a combination bakery and barber shop? How about a merger between a bank and an aquarium? Two business cards are selected at random, then players have a limited amount of time to write down a name. Your goal is to come up with the company name that wins the most votes.
This party game challenges players to think of creative company names for mismatched businesses. What would you call a combination bakery and barber shop? How about a merger between a bank and an aquarium? Two business cards are selected at random, then players have a limited amount of time to write down a name. Your goal is to come up with the company name that wins the most votes.
4. Pool Sharks
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 or more players, ages 8 and up. Scheduled to be available in February 2009, about $27.
Based on traditional billiards, this game features clever shark-themed shooters with multiple settings to help players sink the right balls into the fish pockets.
Based on traditional billiards, this game features clever shark-themed shooters with multiple settings to help players sink the right balls into the fish pockets.
5. Too Many Monkeys
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 to 6 players, ages 6 and up. Scheduled to be available in March 2009, about $11.
This simple, fast-paced card game features Primo the Monkey, a primate who was happily asleep until his friends swung by for a surprise pajama party. Players try to help chase away the pranksters by flipping and swapping cards in numerical order. The first player to get Primo back to bed wins.
This simple, fast-paced card game features Primo the Monkey, a primate who was happily asleep until his friends swung by for a surprise pajama party. Players try to help chase away the pranksters by flipping and swapping cards in numerical order. The first player to get Primo back to bed wins.
6. This Big!
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up. Scheduled to be available in March 2009, about $11.
Will you catch fish, or just old boots? It might not matter in this card game, because you might be able to trick your opponents into taking the boots. Players use lure cards to draw out some options, then pick from their opponents' cards in hopes of landing a big fish. This game has a nice bluffing element to it.
Will you catch fish, or just old boots? It might not matter in this card game, because you might be able to trick your opponents into taking the boots. Players use lure cards to draw out some options, then pick from their opponents' cards in hopes of landing a big fish. This game has a nice bluffing element to it.
7. Say Cheese!
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 to 4 players, ages 6 and up. Scheduled to be available in February 2009, about $7.
This dice game is very quick. Players roll their dice as quickly as possible, trying to match the characters on the Photo Booth cards. When a player matches a pair, he shouts "Cheese!" and collects the card.
This dice game is very quick. Players roll their dice as quickly as possible, trying to match the characters on the Photo Booth cards. When a player matches a pair, he shouts "Cheese!" and collects the card.
8. Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 to 6 players, ages 4 and up. Scheduled to be available in March 2009, about $15.
Children's author and photographer Walter Wick is the man behind the "I Spy" series of books and games. This is the first game based on his series of "Can You See What I See" books. It is essentially a visual game of hide and seek, as players reveal a Find Me tile and race to find the featured object among their Keep Me cards and move that card into their collection. The goal is to be the first to collect all of your Keep Me cards.
Children's author and photographer Walter Wick is the man behind the "I Spy" series of books and games. This is the first game based on his series of "Can You See What I See" books. It is essentially a visual game of hide and seek, as players reveal a Find Me tile and race to find the featured object among their Keep Me cards and move that card into their collection. The goal is to be the first to collect all of your Keep Me cards.
