Chicago Tribune Picks Twisted Fish!!!
 
 
Back to Print Edition - Thursday At Play

GO! SHOPPING: PART TWO
Grab a board game and let good times roll

By Eric Gwinn
Tribune staff reporter
Published November 30, 2006

"Do people still play board games?"

As gadget adviser, I get that question every now and then. The answer is always, "Yup, and they're more fun than ever."

In the last five years, games have become more colorful, better made and more attractively packaged. All of that adds to the desire to pull them out again and again--but only if they're fun. Strategy games, which involve less luck and more thinking than the typical trivia and roll-a-die-and-move games, lead the resurgence. Party games are back, too, with friends sharing the kind of deep belly laugh that brushed aluminum gadgets just can't inspire.

So unplug the TV, shut off the iPod and grab the kids. We tested a number of games to come up with 10 cool board games you might not have heard of that will have families and friends laughing, thinking and spending more time together.

Some games can be found at select Barnes & Noble bookstores. All can be ordered online.

Twisted Fish

3-6 players (ages 10+)

$10

www.mcneillbrighterminds.com

Object: This variation on the card game Go Fish enthralled our adult playtesters for nearly an hour, so it's a great game for families. Win by collecting five fish of the same type and color from your opponents. Play one of eight Zinger cards to prevent others from taking your card, look at an opponent's cards or other rule-bending tricks. The game's color, humor and Zingers make it a worthy alternative to the familiar card game.

----------

egwinn@tribune.com

Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune