Unplugged: GamerDad Unplugged 2005 Holiday Guide by Dr. Matt Carlson November 16, 2005

For the youngest gamers:
It is always a challenge to find a game to play with your youngest children that won't bore you to tears. Thankfully, this one won't!

Chicken Cha-Cha-Cha! (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 4 Published by Rio Grande Chicken Cha-Cha-Cha! is a memory-based game perfect for younger kids or even mixes of young and old. Move your chicken around the circle by remembering the location of each hidden tile. Passing another player earns you all their tails, and the winner is the first person to collect all four tails. I can't wait to have kids so I can play this game with them. There is plenty of room for an adult to coyly play below their capacity in order to help keep the game interesting for their child. Be warned that many kids can catch on pretty fast and quickly have you scampering to avoid losing altogether. More... 5 stars out of 5

For adults and kids 9 and older:
These two games are played and enjoyed by many adults, but are simple enough for older grade school children to understand.

Cartagena (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 5 Published by Rio Grande Sort of an "Advanced Candyland" with a pirate theme, players play cards to advance one of six of their pirates out of jail and to the waiting escape boat. Pirates skip over occupied spaces, so use your cards well to take advantage of large forward hops. A great game that is easy to explain, quick to play, and still offers challenge and entertainment for a wide age range. This is appropriate for young and older players. There is a strong pirate theme with pistols, skeleton keys, daggers, and the like. A green bottle is on the board but it looks more like an old fashioned soda bottle than an explicit alcoholic reference. It is playable with nearly any age, and offers enough strategy to prevent older players from getting bored. However, a player who doesn't understand the game can often play in such a way that the next player in turn may be able to gain many extra cards. Thus, cutthroat competitive games shouldn't be played when weaker (younger) children are playing. This can be mitigated if players are spaced around the board from weakest to strongest. In this way, the weaker players may take best advantage of any poor plays by the player to their right. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Cloud 9 (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 6 Published by Out of the Box One player rolls dice and others must guess if he or she can play the colors shown on the die. If the color cards are played, all players who guessed correctly increase their potential score. Potential points are scored on the permanent scoring track only when you guess that the colors on the die can't be played. If a player fails to play the colors shown, everyone who guessed incorrectly loses their entire potential score. This is a perfect, fun, family game. While everyone is competitive, there is no direct antagonistic competition. If anything, playing the game seems to have a large feeling of cooperation as everyone in the balloon is always hoping for another bump up the scoring ladder. Some wisdom is needed to know when to jump out, but there is enough randomness through cards and dice rolls to level the playing field between players of disparate ages. More... 5 stars out of 5

Party Games
While a party can be fun, a party with a purpose is even better. My personal favorite game for larger crowds is Apples to Apples.

Apples to Apples (Card Game) Number Of Players: 4 - Many Published by Out of the Box One person calls out a word while all the others submit cards from their hand that best fit the topic. Humor and fun ensue as the judge must then evaluate which card best fits the theme. One of the best party games available, it is extremely portable and accessible by almost any type of player. This a great game and playable by anyone who can read. Some words may be unfamiliar to grade school students, but could also be used as a learning tool. While the language is very mild, there are a few cards with words like "sexy", "mafia", and "violent", which could easily be removed if a sanitized game is needed. There is also an Apples to Apples Jr. edition for younger set. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Good for 2 Players
You can't always get out of the house to play a game with all your friends. Sometimes its just you and your significant other, resting after the kids are in bed. Here are a few games that play well with just two.

Attika (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 4 Published by Rio Grande My newest favorite 2 player game, it can be played with up to four people. In this abstract game, players attempt to place buildings by spending resource cards. However, if some buildings are placed in the correct order, they can be placed for free. Resource management and planning are key to this abstract city-building game. Without any direct conflict, Attika is a very family-friendly game. While players can hinder each other in moderate ways, the focus is on furthering one's own objectives, keeping sibling rivalry issues in the background. Attika requires some basic decision-making skills, but is simple enough to explain to more thoughtful grade school students. The game teaches planning and resource management, great practice for more complex games that might be played at a later age. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Balloon Cup (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 2 Published by Rio Grande A quick little card game for two players. Each player takes turns playing cards of the correct color on central mountains and plains. When a predetermined number of cards are placed on a location, the highest card values at mountains and lowest at plains are awarded victory cubes. Collect enough victory cubes of a color to claim a victory point. Win three victory points to win the game. A straightforward game using colors and numbers, however, some logic and planning is needed to do well. Nothing to fear from the content and should be playable by kids 8+. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

San Juan (Card Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 4 Published by Rio Grande Based off what is arguably the number one board game, Puerto Rico, San Juan offers a lighter version styled in a card game theme. Players take turns choosing roles which allow everyone to build, produce, or sell resources in order to improve their own section of San Juan. Constant player involvement and multiple winning strategies make this a great game for two to four players. San Juan has little to be offended about. A premium is put on decision making and planning skills. The non-confrontational nature of the game makes it an excellent choice for family games among siblings of unequal ages. Poor decisions will sometimes favor one opponent over others, but will rarely entirely ruin the decision-maker. San Juan is has the added advantage of being a good two player game that can be played in the time between the kids bedtime and your own. The listed age is just a tad high, as a bright child under 10 could still manage to play. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Family Games
Games that work well for families and other small gatherings, recommended primarily for players 10+.

For Sale (Card Game) Number Of Players: 3 - 6 Published by Uberplay This simple card game is based on an auction mechanic. Players use a starting stake of savings to bid for their hand of cards representing homes and then use that hand of cards to compete over purchase offers. Whoever ends the game with the most money in contracts and savings, wins. Playable in 20 minutes, this quick game is easy to learn but is a great introduction to modern board games. Player interaction and table discussions can turn multiple rounds of the game into a fun evening of gaming. Rated for ages 8+, For Sale is not very complex and is easy for most young kids to grasp. For Sale has few mechanics that cause individual conflict between players so there's less chance of sparking any smoldering sibling rivalry. Younger players are more prone to overbidding some cards, and thus can unbalance the game during the bidding rounds. While the games are not too disrupted, chaotic bidding can bring far more randomness into the game. This usually doesn't hurt the game much, but can be frustrating for careful planners when their plans are foiled due to unpredictable or irrational bidding patterns. The bidding tokens are basically small choking hazard sized cardboard bits, so should be kept away from small children or pets. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

I'm the Boss (Board Game) Number Of Players: 3 - 6 Published by Face 2 Face Games A classice "take that" negotiation game where half the fun is spoiling each other's plans. Players each control deal-making figures and deals are made using those same figures. Players must negotiate to borrow one another's figures in order to be rewarded with a finished deal and be paid. Lots of negotiation and counter-negotiation make it a fun game for players who just love to be a thorn in each others's side. The rules are fairly simple and aside from some strong materialism tendencies, nothing to fear in the game's theme. Kids younger than middle school age are more likely to be taken advantage of by older siblings (or parents?) so would do best with a bit of coaching. The high degree of social interaction makes it an excellent choice for high school students. Since so much of the game depends on antagonistic card play, kids who are particularly sensitive to being picked on may find the "in your face" sort of back and forth card playing to be upsetting. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Lord of the Rings (Board Game) Number Of Players: 1 - 5 Published by Fantasy Flight Games This unique game was the first successful cooperative board game in the modern era. Players cooperate against the board and event cards in order to throw the One Ring into the volcano and spoil Sauron's plans. A great game for any fan of the series, and the cooperative gameplay ensures all the players win or lose together. Two expansions are also available for fans of the game who want more of the same. Since it is a cooperative game, this is a very family-friendly title. Most of the game relies on symbols rather than reading skills, so younger kids can easily be coached along by older players, reducing the age requirement to a mid-grade school level. Despite the dark good vs evil background, the game is abstract enough to avoid any mention of violence. I played one game with another family where the mother sacrificed her character at the very end of the game so that the rest of us were able to go on for the win. Talk about your family-bonding moments! More... 5 stars out of 5

Settlers of Catan (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 4 Published by Mayfair Games This is the game that kicked off the German or Euro-style board game craze. Millions of copies have been sold, and for good reason. Settlers of Catan has trading, luck, and planning aspects. Each game is different as it is played on a changeable hexagon-based board. Build settlements, roads, and cities in order to increase your production and earn 10 victory points to win the game. Players need a good strategy and good trading skills to win the day. Settlers of Catan is in the fairly new category of board games called family strategy. They are typically designed to have a bit of strategic depth, but not be so complex that it would alienate younger kids or strategy-adverse adults. This is a great family game for kids in middle school or above. The rules are simple enough for most kids to learn at this age, although older kids will be able to develop some deeper strategies. The trading aspect of the game is particularly great to help kids learn how to make good trades. Parents who aren't necessarily seeking to win the game can often arrange a trade or two to subtly give a little boost to kids who might feel like they're falling behind. With no violence, real or abstracted, it should be a wholesome enough game for just about anyone. I hope to soon check out the "Kids of Catan" version in the future and report back on it. It's marketed for kids 4 and up. More... 5 stars out of 5

Shadows Over Camelot (Boardgame) Number Of Players: 3 - 7 Published by Days of Wonder Released in the summer of 2005, this game created quite a stir. All players are knights of the round table attempting to succeed at various quests by playing cards from their hands. Meanwhile, events on the game board and a possible traitor player within their midst attempts to thwart the rest of the player's plans. Accuse the traitor to limit their power, but accuse someone falsely and be set back further. This game is very flexible and adaptive, and will therefore fit with many family situations. Any combat or warfare is extremely abstract and not an issue. Even the Crusades (possibly offensive to our Muslim friends) are simply not mentioned within the game. The game is very accessible for students in middle school or above, and the theme should draw in students in that age group as well. The addition of a traitor may be difficult for some family situations, as sibling tension can affect the game, and younger players may have a more difficult time playing as the traitor. However, the game can easily be played without a traitor as a purely cooperative game. If this, or the standard game, is too easy, a variant has the players begin the game as squires at one less life point and no special power. Once a player completes their first quest, they are raised to knighthood and gain their special character power. More... 5 stars out of 5

BuyWord (Board Game) Number Of Players: 1 - 4 Published by Face 2 Face Games My favorite word-building game, in Buyword players must first purchase their letters in lots of 2 two four tiles. Players then earn money back by selling longer words to the bank. Somehow the introduction of making money is a better attention grabber than scoring points in Scrabble ever was. BuyWord is fun game for everyone, although older players will typically have a larger vocabulary and thus a distinct advantage. Since letter tiles are collected and kept face up, stronger players can easily give advice to weaker players to help them along. Since turns are simultaneous, there is very little down time and that makes the game much more accessible to the younger set. More... 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Light Wargames
Some people are just attracted to conflict. There have been several excellent lightweight war games produced in the past year, perfect for that budding general in your midst.

Heroscape (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 4 Published by Hasbro Every kid needs to own this game if only for the really nifty plastic figures. Players first construct an army using point values and then pit them against one another on plastic hexagon terrain. At $40(or less) for a basic set of figures and land it is a steal. The combat is simple to understand and could be played by older grade school children. For those who get into the game, there are several (non-collectible, thank goodness) expansions available that add new terrain and figures into the mix. This is the coolest game around for the youngest wargamers. This is a fantasy war, folks. Roll your dice and move your "mice". Figurines die and all that but it is just a fancy way to play with plastic army men. Lots and lots of little pieces might be an issue for families with very young children, but beyond that, it's a respectable title. All the little modeled figures are tastefully done so no worries in that area. More... 5 stars out of 5

Nexus Ops (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 4 Published by Avalon Hill Multiplayer wargames like Risk and Axis and Allies are often long and time consuming. Nexus Ops is a fast-playing game that provides much of the fun and entertainment found in a longer game. Players vie for control of mines (as a source of income) on a hexagon-shaped board that changes each time you play. Armies are enlisted from a list of units with various powers and the player who can field the best army at the appropriate time will usually win. Nexus Ops is a very light wargame, so planning and decision-making skills are a necessity. However, it plays fast and has fairly simple rules, making it a good beginner wargame. The game does revolve around combat, but the combat resolution is very abstract and shouldn't be a problem for any child able to handle the rules. The neon pieces are a big plus for kids who enjoy pretty pieces - playing a game under black light is quite a visual treat. More... 4 stars out of 5

Memoir ﾑ44 (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 (8 in Overlord play) Published by Days of Wonder The only wargame on the list based off of actual wars, Memoir '44 is actually a system to recreate battles of World War II. The game consists of a double-sided map board, plastic army pieces, and many cardboard terrain markers. Players set up scenarios to recreate famous battles and then fight them out. Army units can only move and fire after being first activated with cards. As each player has a limited number of cards in their hands, not every option is always available. A fun, fast playing light game that still maintains a solid wargame feel. An "Overlord" variant of the game can be played with four people to a side where one player takes on the role of a field commander, passing out cards as appropriate to players, who then use them as they see fit. A large section of the D-Day invasion can be simulated in this way. Several new expansions have been made available for the holiday season that add in the Russian army, winter and desert boards, and new terrain units. It is a wargame with unit losses and other associated consequences, however it is quite educational and doesn't glorify or dwell on the unit losses. The plastic game pieces and game board are a sight to behold and can be used to coax in game players who might not otherwise be willing to try a wargame. Die hard wargamers may find the rules to light, or they may find it useful as a game for which they can finally locate an opponent. 4.5 stars out of 5

For the thinker, Advanced Strategy Games
These games are fun, but have a few more rules and require deeper strategy than those found in the family section. Recommended for high school and older or bright middle school kids at a minimum.

Puerto Rico (Board Game) Number Of Players: 3 - 5 Published by Rio Grande A classic in the board gaming world, this game is currently ranked as the best game among the online board game community. Players take turns selecting roles which determine an opportunity for all players to take an action. Each role awards the selecting player a bonus, while all other players may just take a single action. Players must balance a need for money as well as production in the early game, which eventually turns into a race to produce items and ship them back to Spain to earn victory points. With many possible viable strategies, and very little luck involved, this game is loved by strategists. I love it because it also has enough of a theme to prevent it from becoming just an abstract title. There is little to be offended about. Puerto Rico puts a premium on decision making and planning skills. The non-confrontational nature of the game makes it excellent for family games among siblings of unequal ages. Poor decisions will sometimes favor one opponent over others, but will rarely entirely ruin the decision-maker. Middle school is just about the right age for this title, a fairly bright 10 year old should be able to play without much of a problem. More... 5 stars out of 5

Wildlife (Board Game) Number Of Players: 2 - 6 Published by Uberplay In Wildlife, players take on the role of one of six different species as they vie for control and dominance of a land mass consisting of six different climate zones. Players spend three actions on their turn either expanding their herds, or improving their survival attributes. At somewhat regular intervals, a scoring round ensues where players earn victory points for control of the various climate zones, for the largest herd (largest directly connected set of species tiles), and points for being the most developed in several areas. The game ends with a final scoring round when one player places their last species tile on the board or when the last climate zone is filled. The winner is simply the player with the most victory points at the end of the game. Tile placement games are fairly abstract, so rarely have anything to offend a parent or child's sensibilities. However, as abstract games, they also lean towards more complex rules or at least favor players who can understand longer-term strategy. Wildlife is appropriate for middle school aged kids and older. Wildlife can be played moderately well without as much thinking ahead than some deeper strategy games. However, the many different ways of scoring in Wildlife keep it complex enough to be recommended for middle school or older. Calculating the scores during a scoring round are actually quite easy, the complexity arises from trying to construct a solid strategy to take advantage of the many scoring categories. More... 4 1/2 stars out of 5

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