Fast Flip

I recently received a quick game from Blue Orange Games called Fast Flip!.  Let me tell you more about this game.

What the game is all about.

Get ready to scramble for the match in this crazy fruit salad! Match your fruits to a number, or numbers to a fruit; you don’t know what match you’ll have to find next! Whether you play with the tokens or with the cards alone, all players of any age will be fast flipping for this brain teasing match up. The game comes complete in a tin for your cards and tokens, making it an easy travel item. The magic distribution of fruits on the cards guaranties that there is always one correct answer. You just need to be the fastest to find it!

My Thoughts

My first impression of Fast Flip! was that it seemed easy to play and quick to learn.  I was right – this is really an easy game that anyone could enjoy if you like games that are somewhat rapid to play.  The cards are double-sided – on one side you will see either a number or a fruit while on the other side you will see a bunch of fruits printed on them.   Before playing, shuffle the cards together and place them facedown in a pile (i.e. you won’t be able to see the side with all the  different fruits printed on it.).

The container contains 54 cards, 10 tokens and the rules.  The token are made of sturdy cardboard that will be easy to grasp for everyone.  The cards are triangular and quite large which makes it a bit awkward to shuffle I find.   If me an adult find it difficult to shuffle them you can imagine how little hands can have trouble as well.  However, I love the original shape of the cards which makes it an out-of-the-ordinary game.  There are three games in this little box which is very interesting because each game are unique and different at the same time.  

The first game is called Flip It!  In this particular game all players play simultaneously, racing to find a match.   This is played over a series of rounds.   At each round, when everyone is ready one person will flip the top card of the pile and place it face up next to the pile so that all can see the different fruits printed on it.  As fast as you can you need to look at the new faceup card and compare it with the card on top of the facedown pile.  If the facedown card shows a fruit, then you have to race to determine how many times that fruit is printed on the faceup card.   If the facedown card shows a number, then you will race to find which fruit is printed that many times on the faceup card.  The first player to call out the correct answer scores the faceup card as one point.  The game is over when there is only one card left in the deck. 

Can you sense the competition building while playing this game?   Personally I hate the stress of it but I can see how it can be interesting for competitive kids and/or adults.

Game number two is called Token Grab.  The box also contains tokens – either fruits of numbers.  You will have five of each – so for the numbers it will be 1,2,3,4,5 and the fruits will have strawberry, raspberry, orange, banana, and pineapple.   The fruits are adorable I find with little faces smiling at you.   While setting up for this particular game, you will have to arrange the ten tokens face up in reach of all players.   This time around, when you find the correct match, you will have to grab the correct token instead of calling out the answer.   This is perfect for a quieter game I find.   When you claim the token, you keep it faceup in front of you within reach of all players.    Scored tokens can be scored by other players on future rounds.  When one player has four tokens in front of him/her, then the game ends immediately and that player is the winner.   You can also play a shorter version of the game where you can decide that the winning player is the one with two or three tokens in front of him/her.

Game three is titled Token Live.  For this particular game, you will have to arrange the tokens in a row.   The order is not important so do whatever you feel like it at that moment.   The tokens will determine which match you are looking for each turn.  When a new card is flipped faceup, players will treat the left-most token as though it were on the back of the card.  Whoever first calls out the correctly matching symbol or number scores the token as 1 point.   The player with the most tokens after all 10 tokens have been played wins.

The skills your kids will develop while playing Fast Flip will be visual perception, processing speed as well as focus and attention.  All these can help your kids to become more observant and quick to respond.

As much as I would like to recommend this game for bringing with you at an appointment, I hesitate to do so simply because I know how kids can get excited about this kind of game and might start yelling when calling a fruit or quantity.    However, if your kids can control themselves and respect the quietness of a waiting room, this game a great to keep them occupied for a little while.  On the other hand, this game is perfect for a quick family fun time (plays in about 15 minutes) or for down time at camp or a retreat.     It could also be perfect to keep the kids busy while camping during a rainy period of time.   The game is perfect for ages 7 and up and can be played for two to eight players.  The box is easy to carry around in your purse or a bag.

I think this game has interesting twist but like I said I would be careful in which environment I would play it as some places prefer quietness over excitement.   I can see how this game would allow the children (and the adults as well) to stay sharp in their observation and quick in their reaction.   Just because I dislike the stress of being the first to call a fruit based on the card/token doesn’t make this game not fun to play.  It is just my personality who do not enjoy that kind of competitiveness.   However, I know that other people would enjoy it.  It can make a great game for kids or adults.   Can you picture adults playing this game at a party?  I sure can… and I also can see them laughing and having a good time.   So whether you consider this game for a child, a young adult in college or university or an adult, I think it will bring joy, competition and good memories to whoever receive it.

Fast Flip! is available at our favorite game store – even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Blue Orange Games for sending me the game. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Dr. Eureka

Dr. Eureka
Blue Orange Games

About the game

The brilliant Dr. Eureka has important experiments for you to complete!  Pick a challenge card, 3 test tubes and 6 colorful balls to solve his scientific formula.  Carefully move your materials from tube to tube without dropping them, and position them as illustrated on the challenge card.  This brain teasing party game can be played solitary or competitively. 

What we thought

First and foremost, the game reminded me of the Tower of Hanoi challenge.   Let’s face it – it is a challenge that can be stressful in a competition mode.   Nevertheless I like the originality of the game as it is a great way to explore the Tower of Hanoi concepts.

The game is for one to four players (a bit disappointing for a family of six but it’s okay because we could always do a mini tournament of three people at a time and compete that way against each other).  

I will admit that my kids were a bit stressed at first – going to fast in trying to complete the challenge.   Balls were rolling on the table and so on.   The game is quite simple to be honest.  You pick a card which illustrate the challenge to complete.  Using your skills you replicate the tubes but moving the balls from one tubes to another.  You can flip the tubes upside down to make it quicker in order to complete a challenge.  Once a challenge is won the card goes to the winner.  The first person who win five points (cards) is the winner.   So the game can be quite fast – about 15-20 minutes of play time.   When you come to think of it, I find this is the perfect game to allow the kids to switch mode between two subjects while homeschooling.  For example, if doing their mathematics has been difficult, this game would allow them to change their thinking a bit before doing something else that might require some attentiveness.

So we setup the game to play and the kids decided to pose before starting the challenges.

There was lots of errors at first but after a while, the kids were able to get the hang of it.  We played on the table which made the balls bounce when it slipped out of the test tubes.   A fellow blogger suggested to play on a carpet on their review but when you house doesn’t have any carpet it is kind of difficult.  Besides, I personally prefer to play at a table where you can be sitting comfortably.   You just have to slowly speed up your technique and make sure you know how to handle the test tubes and the balls to finish first and yell “EUREKA!”

Here’s a close up of the technique of switching the balls from one test tube to another.

Challenge complete!

The game will help you to develop fine motor skills, visual perception, focus and attention as well as processing speed.   And I have seen these being developed the more the kids were playing the game.  For example, the visual perception is essential to make sure you have the same thing as the card… a slight difference came make you loose the challenge and the card.

When my husband came back from work, the kids proceeded to tell him about the game.  He sat down with them and looked at it.  He concluded that the game would be good for dyslexics like himself and two of my kids because it would help them to concentrate and make sure the balls and tubes are place properly in order to win the challenge.

As parents we were impressed with the game as it helps to develop visual perception, focus, attention, and processing speed.   The younger two really enjoyed it but my second born wasn’t too thrilled at first.  However, with time he warmed up to the game and now I think he can see the benefits of playing it especially if it can help him with the attention he needs while doing school.

Dr. Eureka is available for purchase at your favorite gaming store – even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Blue Orange Games for sending me the game. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NADA!

NADA! Match, Snatch and Win.
By Blue Orange Games

About the game

There is always a match until…Nada! Scoop up the dice and let ‘em roll. Quick—scan the array for matching symbols between the orange and white dice. The first to call a match collects all the dice showing that symbol. No matches? No problem! It’s another chance to win. Shout “Nada!” to snatch up all the dice. But speak too soon and you’ll pay the price. This dice game has 3 play variations. Think sharp and act fast to match, snatch, and win!

My Thoughts

Two colors – orange and white –, thirty-six cute little dice and a travel bag. That’s all it takes to play a game of NADA!.

Mostly geared for ages 7 to adult, you can play with 2 to 4 players for about 10 minutes each times.    The game will allow the players to develop skills of focusing, fine motor, visual perception as well as speech/language. 

Quick thinking and rapidity are the words that comes to mind when I think of this game.  Why?  Well it takes both in order to win.   You need to be very observant and be able to shout rapidly before your opponents spots the same thing as you.

To play you need to take twelve dice from the bags – six oranges and six whites.   Once you have selected the dice, roll them and let them go on the table.   At the same time, all players have to search for a symbol appearing on at least one orange and one white die.   If you spot a match, you have to be the first to call it in order to collect the points.   The points are simple – one point for each dice sporting the image you called…  If there is no matches, you need to be the first to shout NADA! and put your hand flat above the dice to collect all the remaining dice.    When the dice have all been collected, you can start a new round.   After three rounds, the player with the most dice wins!

But wait!  that’s not all…   There are penalties in this game.  If you make a wrong call, roll the dice again and sit out until the start of the next round.   If there is a tie and can’t decide who made the first call, you have to roll again.    The instruction sheet also suggest two variations of the game as well as a multiple games option.  

As a homeschooler, I can see this game being used to provide a break in between two lessons or to simply had some fun time during our homeschool.   The game is quick to play and fun at the same time.   All the kids can play together and I can be the referee if needed.  

This game is also perfect for a trip, camping or when your child goes to camp.   It’s a great way to spend with friends and family in order to make memories.  

NADA! is available at your favourite toy store, even at amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Blue Orange Games for sending the product mentioned above for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

FLASH!

FLASH! The Lighting Fast Game
By Blue Orange Games

About the Game

Watch the sparks fly in this lightning-fast dice dash! Players race to complete eight challenges and try to rack up the most points. With three play variations, Flash is the go-to dice game for electrifying fun. Straightforward and quick, you can go at it again and again. Every one of all ages gets bit by the competition bug and has a fair shot to victory.

My Thoughts

The first thing that attracted me to this game was the bright colored dice.   However, there is more to this game that you might think.   Once you open the box, you will see a nice bag, a pad to calculate the points and even a small pencil (always nice to see one included in a game).   As the title suggest it, the goal of the game is to achieve the highest score as quick as the lightning bolt.   

The game is quite easy to play – depending of the number of players (a maximum of six), you have to use the same number of scoring chips.   For example, if you are four players, you will use chips 1, 2, 3, and 4.  Each player takes six dice from all the same color (either blue, red, orange, green, yellow, and purple).

Once you are ready to play (and all the players’ name is on the scoring sheet), the first player chooses a challenge from the scoring sheet and everyone has to try to achieve the dice combination picked.   On the count of three, all players roll their dice at the same time.   Put aside the dice you want to keep and quickly roll again until you achieve the desired dice combination.   If you complete the challenge, you have to shout “FLASH!” and take the highest scoring chip available.   The other players continue until everyone has collected a chip.  (Can you feel the tension during a game?)  Whoever wins the challenge picks the next one to complete.

The game ends when all the challenges on the scoring sheet have been completed.   The player with the highest total wins the game.  

There are eight challenge in all:

• Six-of-a-kind: all six dice show the same number.
• 3 pairs: three pairs of dice show the same number.
• All even:  all dice show even numbers.
• Four-of-a-kind and 1 pair: one set of four dice shows the same number and one pair of dice shows the same number.
• All odds: all dice show odd numbers.
• 2 three-of-a-kind: two sets of three dice show the same number.
• Straight: all six dice follow each other.
• FLASH: all dice show Flash symbols.

Note that the FLASH symbol is also a wild side which can represent any number you wish.

What is also interesting with this game is the fact that you have two variations of the game which are included in the instructions.   This quick fast pacing game will allow you to develop various skills in order to ameliorate your focus, your fine motor, your arithmetic as well as your probability.   The game is mostly geared for age 7 and up.   It would take about 10 minutes to play and it can accommodate 2 to 6 players.

You might find that there isn’t enough scoring sheets in the package but don’t worry, you can download additional scoring sheets at Blue Orange Games for free. 

I think this would be a perfect stocking stuffer for the person in your life who likes games.   It’s also a perfect game to bring at camping or on a trip.  

   

Disclaimer: Thanks to Blue Orange Games for sending the product mentioned above for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

20 Express

20 Express
By Blue Orange Games

About the game

Looking for the best game for a large group? Hop aboard the 20 Express!
Each player has a train of 20 cars to fill with numbers. The goal is to create the longest ascending series possible. Twenty numbered tiles are randomly drawn. With every draw, the number must board a car and stay there. Break a series and you miss out on points. Like in Bingo, you need luck on your side, but number sense and sharp guesswork pays off. 20 Express can be played with an unlimited amount of players; simply download and print more game sheets. With clear-cut game play and lots of suspense, it’s full steam ahead for a large crowd!

My Thoughts

The game looks interesting.  So one afternoon I decided to sat down and explore it by myself in order to understand it.   Since the game can be played with one to one hundred players, I seriously thought that it would be fun to play by myself.    Before I share my thoughts on playing alone, let me specify that the game is perfect for kids ages 8 to adults.    The play time last about 15 minutes and you will develop skills of number recognition, probability and strategy.

The goal of the game is to score the most points by creating the longest series.   How does a series is made?   Well when you are alone, it will depends on the tiles you pick from the bag.  When you are playing with others, each player will draw a random tile  from the bag.   Every time, you need to announce it out loud and place the tile face up on the table.   The players have to write the number in any empty train car on their own game sheet.  You have to use your judgment in order to determine where the number should go in order to create the longest series in ascending order.   Once everyone has written down the number, it’s time to draw another number.   When the 20th tile has been selected, each player’s train is full.    Calculate you score and discover who is the winner.  

Simple, easy and challenging as well.   That are the three words that come to my mind when I think of the game.   Yes I did play alone and it’s not as fun as playing with others.   I mean seriously you alone has to pick the tiles.   It’s feasible but I didn’t like it much.   I much prefer playing with family and friends when it comes to board games…  However, what I particularly like about this game is that I can challenge my own kids in thinking strategically and placing the numbers in a way to try to win the game.    Not only is number recognition is essential but you need to think fast to determine where you will write the number on your train in order to make the longest train possible.  The longest the train the more points you cash in.

I find this game to be perfect to take a break in your homeschool in the middle of the day or just to relax after doing hard work.    

The game 20 Express is available at your favourite game store or on amazon.ca and amazon.com.  You can download additional game sheets at http://www.blueorangegames.com/images/20ExpressScoringSheet_Website.jpg.

   

Disclaimer: Thanks to Blue Orange Games for sending the product mentioned above for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.