Hasbro Reviews

Taboo is a terrific game! its kind of like charades but instead of acting the words out, you have to describe them without using any of the words on the card. This is a great game because its really fun and I can play it with both, my family and my friends since it appeals to all age groups. We can play it for hours without getting bored of it! I would recommend this game to anyone!

This game is definitely a lot of fun, and for quick thinkers. The plusses are well explained in other reviews. A few other things to consider, however:

1) Don't buy batteries (not included w/ the game). Really, there isn't much use for the buzzer, & it can be extremely annoying. There's enough excitement with the gameplay itself. The opposing team can just yell out "buzz," if they so desire.

2) Relatedly, the only things that you really need are the cards. The rest is just fluff. If you are familiar with the concept & rules, save yourself some $ and buy a booster pack. The booster is simply another stack of the cards with new words.

3) As in a lot of newer games, there are the inevitable current event (or not so current) related topics. If you don't know who Kenneth Starr or John Glenn are, you will be stymied on a few.

4) The better you know your partner(s), the better you will do. A lot of points come from saying stuff like: "Remember when we..." Try mixing up the teams for a fairer game.

Don't let these stop you from trying out this game, however. It's a ton of fun & has long-lasting appeal.

I was totally hooked after the first time I played this game. It really makes you think on your feet as you try to get your teammates to guess the highlighted word on your card without saying the other printed "taboo" words. After a few turns, I caught on to the idea of describing the actual word or putting it in a reference that my teammates would understand. It was hysterical hooking up with close friends or family who could figure out what I was trying to get at with odd clues that no one else quite understood. I told my Mother about this game and she was excited to learn and we bought it for a party. Some of the guests were apprehensive about playing at first, but after watching the rest of us, they all wanted to join in. This is a great game to play with 4 or more people with guaranteed laughs. As far as the buzzer goes... it is a bit annoying, but the guys especially enjoyed using it when time ran out or a taboo word was said. I think it added to the laughs and the fun of the game. After playing a few times, you become accustomed to the particular word set, so I recommend the booster sets as well as the newer edition of the game. PLEASE BUY THIS. I GUARANTEE YOU WILL HAVE FUN!

This game is great. It is all the fun of Yahtzee, in your hand. All of the same rules apply and all of the objectives are the same. The objective of the game is to save the dice to get a full house or a 4 of a kind to name a few. The set up and buttons are very clear. You could learn without the instructions. There is a handy dandy point sheet on the back of the game that tells you all of the objectives and how many points they are worth. This game is small so it is perfect for a long car ride, gym or can fit in your pocket for when ever you have some free time. It is worth it.

I gave an electronic handheld Yahtzee game to one of my friends a couple of years ago and he loved it! I've always loved Yahtzee myself since my baby-sitter got me started. So I decided to take a shot with electronic handheld yahtzee.

I got addicted the instant I started playing with it. I'm taking it everywhere I go when I have spare time. Even my grandma and my sister are addicted! When you get a Yahtzee you yell and shout for victory. I love this game! I guess this game's only educational value is thinking where you want to put your score or what "dice" you want to keep. Those are the biggest strategies. The other two points I didn't put for educational value is because that part is the pure luck of rolling the "dice".

I'm surprised this toy is so durable. There are handheld Poker games similar to this one that aren't as durable as this one.

I also have the electronic handheld battleship game by Milton Bradley. Out of all of the electronic handheld games that are out in the stores today, I'd say this one is the best.

Overall, I love this game. It is a great buy for those people that love toys!

As a new Yahtzee fan, I thought it couldn't get any better than the Yahtzee and Deluxe Yahtzee game. Now this electronic handheld Yahtzee had to come out. I'm in Yahtzee overload! The minute you pick it up and start playing, you're hooked; as if I wasn't hooked enough already! The sounds are wonderful and NEVER annoying, and the little music that plays when you get a Yahtzee is snazzy. The controls are delightfully easy and the display is nicely sized. Even if you have a bad game, its soon forgotten when you hit the "new game" or "roll" button. I can't play it on work nights because its so hard to put down, I stay up late; I still do it anyway! Add this to your Yahtzee collection and enjoy this classic game in a convenient handheld electronic format.

My family has been playing boggle since I was 10 yrs old! I am now 46. Somewhere along the line we graduated to big boggle (5 letters or more ) We always played after dinner, even my grandmother. We needed teams to beat my dad! Our set has seen better days. We can't seem to find a replacement...does anyone know where big boggle has gone?

Boggle is a great word game that is fun for the whole family in which players have three minutes to find as many connected words as they can in a 4x4 grid. It doesn't take long to play (only three minutes to be exact) and you don't need a lot of space to play it. It uses a lot of the same skills as scrabble, but unlike in scrabble you won't keep getting beaten every time by that brainy uncle who must have memorized the dictionary, because most of the words that can be found are only 3 or 4 letters long, and even younger kids have a fair chance to win(occasionally a very long word can be found however - my personal triumph was the 8-letter "nicotine"). Also, you WILL learn new words you never knew existed from this game when people guess them and make you look them up - crazy words like "hie" and "tat" and "coe". Overall a very fun game well worth buying, although I wish they still made the bigger version, because that one's a lot of fun too.

I do not play board games, plain and simple. Boggle is the exception. I got hooked on it about 18 months ago. It is the most addictive game I've ever played. Its appeal crosses generations -- my 76-year-old father is its most ardent enthusiast. I like it because it keeps his mind sharp.

My wife and I compete fiercely. We slightly modify the rules. For example,we allow two turns of the timer per board, allowing us more time to develop words. We say that the game is over after three boards; then we start a new game. This keeps it interesting if someone falls decisively behind. We also give two bonus points (13 in total) if someone develops a nine-letter word. (Play the game, see how difficult THAT is, then you'll see why we think it deserves a bonus.)

I am fortunate to have found a VERY old Big Boggle game in my mother's basement. This game is good, but the BEST game is Master Boggle. I cannot find it anywhere, but my father has it. The mix of letters allows you to develop really cool, exotic words. Last week, I spelled "gestalt."

Clue is the classic game by Parker Brothers. In the game you stuck are in a mansion. The owner Mr.Boddy has been murdered and its up to you to find out who did it.

There are six different playable characters. No character can do something others can't the only differnce in them is there starting locations and there actual names. Your goal is to navigate the mansion finding out clues as to who committed the murder. You have to guess who did it, where the murder was done, and what was is done with. You go by trial and error throughout the house until you gather enough clues to guess it right.

The game itself is pretty durable. You have six token pieces, a six sided die, cards, a standard board, and paper sheets for you clue book. Unless something gets wet you should be set.

The game is educational because it makes you think. You have to keep track of your clues that you collect. You can also pick up other clues by paying attention to other peoples clues and who is proving them wrong. You can be quite savvy in the game and this part is quite educational and fun.

Clue is a classic game. People have been playing it for over 50 years. It's the classic game of who did it and it's a fun mystery. No game is ever the same and that makes it even more fun. No kid or adult should ever go there life without playing this game. So go get Clue and find out who did it.

Like so very many other families, CLUE has been a board game played in our house over many years.

Where else can you find such a great source of entertainment that provides real fun as well as an education in deductive reasoning?

CLUE offers a solid alternative to a boring night watching TV. And it certainly encourages family discussions as you play it. Now, that's something television doesn't offer!

Our kids are all grown up now, but we still get together frequently over the dining room table to have another CLUE evening.

The only criticism I have of the game is that the pads of detective notes are very hard to replace. I recently went into one local games store and was told they had been trying for two years to get a supply of the CLUE detective notes. Many customers had been apparently asking for them.

My solution was to simply create my own detective notes form on our home computer, using a graphics program.

Seems like we could have a supply-and-demand opportunity here.

Anyone listening out there in Parker Brothers land?

I loved this game as a child, I love it as an Adult!

This is a board game that parents and children can play together...and both have fun.

What's in the game? The game board is filled with different rooms (kitchen, library, billard room etc) and spaces that lead you to the rooms..there are also two seceret passages. You have game pieces (all different colours) which represent the people ...who are all suspected of killing Mr. Boddy...was it Colonel Musterd? Mrs. Scarlett? or perhaps Mr. Green. To add, you have different weapons that could have led to Mr. Boddy's demise...the rope, revolver, candlestic etc.

All game players are given equil amounts of cards...each card has a person, weapon or a room on it. 3 cards (one room one weapon one person) are hidden in an envelope that cannot be opened until a player has decided he/she knows the answer. The player then looks at their cards and crosses off that person, room or weapon on his recording sheet...the player then can wonder about the other rooms etc

The players start rolling the dice, going into rooms and making accusations....

If you like detective work, try to find Mr. Boddy's killer!

You'll have fun!

I really can't fid anything wrong with this game. There are 10,000 words, so if you find a repeat word, it is incredibly rare. The educational value isnt that good, but, it isn't a game you buy for educational value. You buy it for fun, and that's what it delivers. Everyone will be laughing at the hilarity of some of clues. If you haven't already, buy this game.

Remember the old $100, 000 Pyramid game that still reruns on the Game Show network with Dick Clark? This game is sort of like that. There's no silly cardboard cards to fiddle around with, and it's fast paced and fun. You describe the various words that pop up on your screen without saying it to your fellow team member, and you should see the look on people's faces when they try to pinpoint the word. It's comical - and the shouting never stops. But unlike the old pyramid game, you can get a lot of people to join in on the fun, by dividing it up into two teams.

There's a really loud beeping noise that accompanies the game - and it grows more intense minute by minute, until the device buzzes, and the person left holding the unit is the one who gets the 'raspberry' sound. (There's no volume control by the way, but if you're playing this with a lot of people, and there's tons of noise, you'll have a hard time even hearing the beeping)

Great party game, and good fun!

"Catch Phrase" is one of the many cool things I have discovered since being in college. I'll bet hardly anyone has heard of it (no one had heard of it where I come from anyway), but it is one of the most contagious games around.

The premise of the game is simple: After setting the timer, your team has to guess what word or phrase is visible on the screen. The unit cannot be passed until someone says exactly what is on the screen. When someone does guess correctly, you pass it on to a member of the other team.

For example, if the word was "pumpkin," you could say something along the lines of, "Okay, guys, Peter-Peter-blank-eater!" If someone has been keeping up on their nursery rhymes, he or she will know that the word in place of "blank" is "pumpkin." Make sense?

This game is a blast when you get a huge amount of people to play. About a month ago, around 20 of us were playing it at the same time. Good times there, folks!

Fun: Fun, fun, FUN. I can't reiterate it enough. It's interesting to see how nervous people get when the timer starts beeping faster; hence, the buzzer is about to go off. For some reason, people get really panicky when the pressure starts to build. It's only a game, people! Of course, you don't realize that at the time. Everyone is yelling out answers, and with all the excitement going on, your heartbeat can rise in a hurry.

Educational Value: This is a thinking game. That's the only way I know how to put it. You have to think about what it is your teammate is trying to say without he or she actually coming out and saying it. And they're not all as easy as "pumpkin." There are some real stumpers in this game, and that only adds to the fun (or frustration depending upon what side you're on).

Durability: This game is very durable. Just don't drop it! It probably wouldn't hold up very well since this is the electronic version.

In short, "Catch Phrase" is a very cool game. It's great to play with a lot of people, and it never gets boring. I've played this numerous times, and I always have interesting stories to tell the next day.

We've all see this toy before, haven't we?

Although I owned Rubik's Magic rings as a kid, a similar but easier-to-solve toy, I never owned the most famous, the original Rubik's cube. I tried, but always got stuck after figuring out one of the sides.

Fast forwarding to a few months ago, I saw it again at a friend's house and was inexplicably hooked. I knew it was only a matter of time before I ordered it.

This cube has proved to be reasonably durable and is fun if you like puzzles. Don't bother to buy a guide to how to figure it out, as there are TONS of solutions on the Internet, from the basic ones to the fast solutions which require a lot of memorization. Whether you cheat or figure it out yourself, it will certainly keep you entertained and is a good value for the money.

The Rubik's Cube has got to be the most classic puzzle toy of all time. But I don't really consider it a toy because I've known a lot of adults that like the cube better than kids do. You have several different colors on the cube and you try to match them up where all the different colors are matched up on every side of the cube. It's easier said than done, but after you keep trying long enough, you'll solve the puzzle eventually. I've heard of people taking the stickers off and placing them in different sections of the cube, but that would take the fun out of it.

I've been playing the Rubik's Cube since I was a kid and when there's nothing else to do or when I feel like taking a good challenge, I still like trying to solve the difficult puzzle every now and then. The cube can be good for kids because it can teach them some thinking and concentration skills, but it's great for anybody no matter how old you are. It's real durable and not easy to break even when you drop it. Just as long as you don't remove any of the stickers from their original spot, the stickers will also stay in place and you'll have the Rubik's Cube to challenge you for the rest of your life.

I recommend anybody who likes puzzles or a good challenge every now and then to get the Rubik's Cube.

...Was the title of a book I bought out of sheer frustration when I was a kid in the mid-eighties, stuck with a mixed-up Cube I couldn't solve. Well, the book was very helpful and allowed me to solve my Cube on a regular basis, so eventually I got bored and put my Cube aside.

I left home in 1992 to join the Army and my stepmom put all my childhood stuff in storage. I didn't get a whole lot of my stuff back til I came back to the Memphis area (for the second time) in 2001... and there, amongst my things, was that selfsame Rubik's Cube.

And lo and behold if it doesn't still work beautifully after nine years in storage! Doesn't even need to be lubricated, all the stickers are still intact (even if some of them have nicks in them) and... it's still mixed up, doggone it, and now I wish I had my book again!

Definitely a fun toy. I have heard most kids these days would rather zonk out on the computer than play something that might actually provide an intellectual challenge. It's a shame, too.

We have had this game for probably 10 years and we still love it. It is so much fun to play because the answers are unlimited and the game is different every time depending on what letters that you get. We have almost run out of the blank sheets in some of the little boards but a blank sheet of paper works fine too. We have played this with people of all ages and it is a blast. It is easy so almost everyone gets right into it! Definitely a must for your game closet!

This is our game of choice when my family gets together with our best friends. This game is especially hillarious when you make up words and try to convince the other players to let you have the point for it. For instance, one time the letter was "W" and one of the subjects on the list was "something sticky", I wrote down "Wolf's Mouth". We all about died laughing. Now, even to this day, all I have to say is "Wolf's mouth", and we all crack up. You could play this game for hours and before you know it, it's the end of the night. There is no game that is more fun then this.

I got this for Christmas and me and my sisters (cometimes our parents join in) always play this. It never gets old!! Even if we repeat a list, we come up with new answers. I disagree with the label "12 and up" because my sisters are 10 and 11 (9 and 10 when we started playing it) and they can do it with no problem. Granted I get more than them, since I'm 15, but they still do great.

Anyway, to play Scattegories, first you choose a letter and a list. Say the letter was "G" and the list included "boy names". Well, if I put Gregory, and so did one of my sisters, neither of us would get the point. If someone repeats your answer, you don't get any points. However, say I put "Gavin", Jordan put "Gregory" and Taryn put "Guy", then we'd all get the point. You have to make sure to think outside of the box (don't put the most popular band as an answer, or the city you live in!).

This was billed as the ULTIMATE 20th Anniversary commemorative figure.. the result of countless polls on Transformers websites. Fans voted to see what Transformer they wanted to get the "Masterpiece" treatment. As such, you flippin' right this isn't just a toy. It's meant to be a cornerstone for your collection. But word to the wise...

... it's PRICED like a collectors piece, obviously, and it looks dirty. They call it battle damage, I call it smudging. Some liked that, to them I say... you're nuts. The Takara Masterpiece version has no smudging... clean paint app.

Shorter smokestacks... but this has become a non issue. While comparisons to the Takara version's longer stacks are imminent, they don't take away from the toy. It's just that the Masterpiece version looks better with longer stacks.

The infamous "black" gun. This one's packaged with a cartoon-accurate black cannon, as opposed to the Masterpiece versions's grey one.

(...) The Hasbro version will save you a little coin, but standing next to the Takara one, looks a little inferior (read: dirty). But still, it practically blows away most toys on the market today. You can't go wrong with it.

... and it's Optimus Prime... what's not to like?

Growing up he was my childhood idol!! I had this toy until my dimwitted sister SAT on it!!! 20 years later he has come back GREATER then before!! This is an OUTSTANDING version of the GREATEST transformer ever!!! To all the other transformer fans out there if you don't have this,You better hurry up before it's to late!!!! UNTIL ALL ARE ONE!!

I had Optimus Prime when he frist came out, but I move and I lost most of his parts. so I wanted to get him again, but could not find him till the 20th anniversary. He is bigger then the one I had and does not have the trailer, but he is still is a good toy to have.

I got this for Christmas, and it is FUN, the new property caresal is soo cool! I absolutly loved how the new chance cards are redone. An excellent buy!

Dear readers,
I've played all kinds of monopoly and this one I've played is the best yet!This toy is good for subtraction and addition problems and how to handle money to not get bankruped.I recramend this toy for your friends and family!You can even add your money up and reduce it in less bills!I've liked it and you should to!Get this toy TODAY!

Everyone recognizes Monopoly as the "classic" board game. Everyone loves it. Monopoly is a hit with all ages, young and old. It is educational for the young ones, teaching money budgeting tactics and some real-world buying and selling scenarios. The idea of real estate conquest sometimes goes to a player's head, so games can be rather competitive. However, Monopoly will always be fun for all players, and is worth the initial invest for hours of fun in the future. With this edition, Parker Brothers adds some nice new creature comforts like an organizational deed carousel, redesigned money, gold-finished tokens and a new train playing piece. These new features are defenitely worth the extra 7 dollars.

Transfans have asked for a figure like this for 20 years! The Alternators is the domestic version of the Japanese BinalTech line, and Smokescreen is the first of this series to be released. This is one toy that does not disappoint its targeted audience.

For the first time since the original line, Smokescreen's car mode is that of an actual vehicle: the Subaru WRC, the car company's rally car. The vehicle mode is uncannily realistic, so much so you could almost see this thing driving down the dirt courses, tearing up earth in pursuit of victory. The hood, all four doors, and trunk all open, though the trunk door doesn't open that much due to the parts needed to transform this figure. The front wheels turn slightly, and the interior is somewhat realistic. This mode represents the term "Robots in Disguise" you can't really tell that this car will transform into a lean, mean, fighting machine.

Transforming Smokescreen from car to robot is a little difficult, nearly impossible if you don't read the instructions. As other reviewers have mentioned, the small magnets that hold the wheels to a brace make transforming the arms properly difficult, though there is a way to do it without tearing the arms off.

As a robot, Smokescreen is both lean and powerful looking. He doesn't have any feet to speak off, so standing him up will be challenging until you figure out how his feet work. But this figure is possible; I have my figure in an "action" pose and he's pretty steady, even if I bang into the shelf he's on. The intercooler of the car transforms into Smokescreen's weapon of choice, probably the simplest of his transformations. His head is reminicant of his G1 form; perhaps the one thing most fans will like about this character.

This is one figure that most Transfans will like; even the kid in front of me in line at the Target was drooling when he saw this guy! Smokescreen is a must have for any fan; unless you're an absolute purist. Also, look for the following Alternators for your collection: Side Swipe (Dodge Viper), Silverstreak (Subaru WRX, repaint and retool of Smokescreen), Hound (Jeep Wrangler Sport), Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette), Miester (Mazda RX-8, Jazz's Japanese name), and the first Decepticon Alternator, Dead End (Dodge Viper, repaint and retool of Side Swipe). I'm waiting for Takara and Hasbro to start making Alternators figures as jets; I'd love to see Starscream as a MiG-29!

I absolutely love my Alternators Smokescreen. He occupies the honored spot on my nightstand by the bed. In my opinion, this guy beats Sideswipe (red Dodge Viper Alternator) hands down, even though he seems to be less popular in sales. Smokescreen is extremely poseable (except for his elbows) and he looks just like the old stylized package paintings of G1 Transformers.

Amazingly, Hasbro has packed incredible detail into this car while still allowing a cool transformation. Seats fold, hood opens, all four doors open, tail lights and headlights are extremely realistic, legs separate for excellent robot poseability, and there is plenty of articulation to make very realistic poses.

I am disappointed when parents buy this Transformer for their kids under 12 (under 16 in some cases). Parents may think their kids are excellent at transforming their Transformers, but these Alternators challenge even 33 year olds like myself. Maybe that is one reason Smokescreen is a MUST HAVE for any good old G1 collector!

Wow. I didn't realize how fun it would be to play with these Alternators Transformers. When I got them by UPS this morning I couldn't wait to get them home after work. Yes, I said "work". I'm 26 and was a big Transformers fan when I was a kid. Now that I'm older I can afford to buy the collectors edition Transformers and boy are they sophisticated today. I wasn't so sure about Beast Wars or the Armada series, but Hasbro has redeemed themselves with the Alternators. It's what all us grown ups have been waiting for. Kudos go to Hasbro and Takara!

Man, they weren't kidding when they say in the instructions, "Some parts are made to detach if excessive force is applied." I saw a few parts go zingin' off when I thought I was forcing a stubborn hinge. Some parts are really close together so watch out when you're trying to do what you think is depicted in the instructions. Good thing they're easilly reattachable. Same can't be said of my old collection of Transformers. A few were broken and so was my heart when I looked at them in my toy chest as a kid. I can't decide which is my favorite Alternator though. Side Swipe or Smokescreen. They're both so bad a$$. I can't wait to get the Jeep one and the Corvette one. And I can't wait to get the 20th Aniversary Optimus Prime. Though I'm not too totally sure if he belongs to the Alternators line. But he would definitely round out my Alternators collection. Or maybe I should wait and see of they make a Peterbilt Optimus Prime. :) (...)