A New Twist on An Old Favorite: Clue

It’s about time.

For many years, Monopoly has… well, monopolized the custom board game industry. You can pretty much get any version of Monopoly that you want, from your favorite movie to your alma mater. Which is great for Monopoly fans, but I’m not one. The board game that captured my heart is Clue. I’ve been an avid Clue collector for many years, which has been easy since there hasn’t been much to collect, but in the past year things got harder.

Last year Clue was revamped. Instead of taking place in Tudor Mansion, the scene of the crime is a large estate in Hollywood. Instead of the usual suspects, the accused are now the rich and famous partygoers. There are also more weapons and modernized rooms. But all these changes are superficial; the real change is the game play. Die-hard rulebook-following fans, like me, can take a breath. The changes in game play are more add-ons that can easily be taken away if you still want to play the classic way or with whatever your house rules have always been. But don’t disregard these add-ons without trying them.

First, there are “intrigue” cards that give you powers to help you through the game. You get these cards by landing on certain spaces or having the die end up on the question mark. With them, you can do things from taking another turn to not answering a rumor (or suggestion). Also among these intrigue cards are eight clock cards. During the game, people will draw the clock cards and for the first seven cards there is no consequence, however when someone draws the eighth clock card, he is out of the game. This creates a draw back to drawing the intrigue cards. Another card you get is a character card, for the character you choose. Each character has a special power (much like those on the intrigue cards) that he can use once per game. Although this adds more strategy for each player, it becomes more repetitive for those who only want to play a certain character.

There are also two rules that have changed. One rule change is that accusations must now take place in the center room where the confidential file is kept, rather than making an accusation at any point in the game wherever you are. This adds a bit of fun when more than one person knows the answer and whoever can get to the center room first wins. The other rule change is now players can pass through other players (but still not land on the same space). I personally don’t like this new rule because getting in another person’s way can be a strategic move in Clue. However, these rules aren’t set in stone and can be changed for whatever crowd is playing.

There are also two other versions of Clue that can currently be bought. One is 24 Clue and the other is Harry Potter Clue. 24 Clue is basically the same as the Clue revamp, dressed up in attire from the hit series, 24. You play as one of six characters from the show’s sixth season, each still with his own special power. The locations are rooms in CTU, and the weapons are terrorist acts represented by little pewter pieces; for example, the bus means that the terrorists are going to halt all the U.S. transportation. In this game you are trying to figure out who is the mole, what attack they are involved with and where they are going to execute the attack. The intrigue cards are included, as well as the clock cards, to add some more strategy and the two changed rules are found as well. This is a great game for those who love the show.

The Harry Potter Clue is different from the Clue revamp but has similar changes. First, the characters you play are different from the suspects. You play as members of Dumbledore’s Army while suspecting six different dark wizards. The weapons are spells and the locations are rooms around Hogwarts. To set this game up, you take the six playable characters and draw one unlucky soul to be the victim. Unfortunately, this means the most that can play is five people, with the rules and add-ons that are in this game. Instead of intrigue cards, Harry Potter Clue comes with two different kinds of cards: dark mark cards and help cards. No good can come from the dark mark cards because they rob players of their house points, which replace the clock cards. Once you lose all your house points, you lose. The help cards have a friend, an item, or a spell that protect you from the dark mark cards. The board also becomes active with four spinning wheels that change entrances amd secret passages and can even cause the dark mark to appear, making each turn different from the last. Even though this is exciting, the weapon and suspect pieces are round cardboard discs instead of pewter pieces. This is somewhat of a let down, although understandable, considering that one of the weapons is Impedimenta.

Coming out in August are two new Clue versions, The Office Clue and Seinfeld Clue. These are both being released by USAopoly, which is responsible for 24 Clue. Because of this, I expect that both games will have intrigue cards and clock cards, much like the revamped version of the game. These releases open the door for more like them. I, for one, am hoping for LOST Clue.

Clue is a wonderful game to help children learn deduction. It also provides a great time to spend as a family. Don’t be afraid of the newer versions of Clue because the classic version of Clue is still at the heart of each of them.

Find it online:
Clue (Re-envisioned)
24 Clue
Harry Potter Clue
The Office Clue
Seinfeld Clue

When Summer Starts Heating Up

Ghostbuster: The Video Game (Wii)

I was too young when the movie Ghostbusters came out in theatres. In fact I was still too young when the sequel came out five years later. But I do remember watching the cartoon series and I loved it as well as the movies when I eventually watched them. Now Atari is releasing Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the 25th anniversary of the first film. It’s a pretty neat adaptation of the story line to include you, the “intern” who joins the team to conquer some of New York’s infamous apparitions.

In the game, you play an experimental equipment technician who busts ghosts along with the original team, Ray, Peter, Egon and Winston. At the beginning of the game, there is an animation about some supernatural events happening at a museum, where we see a bright blue light and a mysterious woman. When the team heads out to recapture Slimer and bring down the return of the giant “Stay Puft” marshmallow man, they run into the mysterious woman, who we learn is Dr. Ilyssa Selwyn, who is researching paranormal happenings.

The game is a third person shooter where you use the Wiimote to look around and aim, while the nunchuk is used to move your character through the levels and to shake when you’re drenched in slime. The characters for the Wii look like caricatures of the actors, which is different from the more realistic look of the Xbox and PS3 versions of this game, but the Wii version is still fun to play. There are also three different difficulty settings. The easy setting is more for kids and people who just want to play it casually where the hardest setting is for more hardcore gamers who want a challenge.

One positive feature for the less experienced players using the easy setting, is that it’s very difficult to get so seriously slimed or killed that your character is put out of action.

If you enjoyed the Ghostbusters franchise and like well executed story games then this is the game for you.

Fisher Price TurboFill Blasters

For the hot days of summer, water gun fights are a great way to cool off. But some water guns aren’t easy for younger kids to use. Fisher Price has come out with the TurboFill Blaster, which is perfect for kids three and up.

It comes with a base that you hook up to your water hose. You insert the gun into the base, which fills up the gun’s tank and pressurizes it. Once it’s filled, just press the release button down and lift the gun off. Then all your child has to do is pull the trigger.

I do have to say that when I first started playing with it, I couldn’t get the gun off of the base, which caused much frustration. Then I found out it was because I was holding down the release button, instead of pressing it down, letting go, and then pulling the gun off. The only thing that could improve this is if the base shot water out when the gun wasn’t attached.

If you have a youngster who wants to join the older kids in a water gun match you should try this one out. It’s sure to provide active fun, cool the kids off and water your lawn all at the same time.

ItzaBitza

When I was in first grade, I wrote in my classroom journal about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote that I was going to be an artist, live on the street (I was very realistic), sell my paintings and give my money to my first grade teachers. Years later, I have become a graphic artist (thankfully with an apartment) and art has always been something I’ve loved. That’s one reason why I was intrigued by ItzaBitza.

ItzaBitza is a web-based computer game for kids where users draw on the computer screen and animated characters interact with whatever is drawn.

Now you don’t get free range to draw whatever you please; the character will ask you to draw something like a house. Then a transparent sheet of paper covers the screen for you to draw your house where you want it in the picture. You add doors and windows and then once you are happy with it, the house comes to life and the character enters and exits from it. From there you draw all sorts of other things, the sun, a tree and even a friend.

This game is simple enough for preschoolers to play with it, but it’s not too boring for those a little bit older. There are stars that appear while you draw that indicate objectives to complete. When you get enough stars you unlock one of the other pictures to draw on.

The only thing I didn’t like was that you don’t get to choose the color of what you are drawing. Sure the sun is yellow and the tree trunk is brown, but I’d like to pick the color of my house. Even when you draw a paintbrush for your friend to paint the house you don’t get a choice in what it looks like. However that is just a minor personal preference and kids probably won’t care.

This is an easy, fun way to let your kids play at a computer, hone hand-eye coordination and experiment with both drawing and simple animations. It’s an enjoyable game that your kids can use to explore their inner Picasso and you may even find yourself discovering yours. Just don’t be alarmed if your child start saying he wants to be an artist who lives on the street.

You can find it at www.itzabitza.com for $19.99.

Find it online:
Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the Wii
TurboFill Blaster
ItzaBitza

Fisher Price Little People Play ‘n Go Schoolhouse Playset

To celebrate 50 years of their Little People toys, Fisher Price has come out with 50th anniversary play sets. The play set I got to play with was the Play ‘N Go School House.

I remember way back in preschool my classroom had the Little People School house, so playing with this brought back many memories. However, this isn’t the same school house I played with back then.

The major difference is the size of the pieces. Now the little people and their accessories are much bigger than the ones of my childhood (making them less of a choking hazard.) This makes the toy safer and easier for younger children to play with it.

The school house comes with a teacher, a student and a dog. It also comes with two desks and a merry-go-round for its playground. All of these things fit comfortably inside the schoolhouse so your child can take the play set on the road easily.

Sadly the schoolhouse is just a carrier. It doesn’t have a chalkboard nor the alphabet magnets like the one I remember, but this really isn’t a big deal. Magnets do stick to the side of the tin so magnetic number and letters can be used and preschoolers probably shouldn’t play with chalk anyway.

A Little People DVD also comes with the set. The DVD with the school house contains five animated episodes each about four minutes long. In these episodes kids can learn about rhyming, vowels and how to say “thank you.”

This toy is good for preschoolers from one year-old and up and for any of those who are nostalgic for their preschool days.

Also available: The Little People 50th anniversary Play ‘N Go Farm, which comes with a sheep, cow, farmer and tractor. The barn serves as a carrying case, as well, making this a portable, fun toy for little ones. Look for a 50th anniversary Play ‘N Go home and Play ‘N Go Fire Station as well. Each available at all major retailers in the neighborhood of $18.00 MSRP.

Find it online:
School House
Farm

Snap and Switch Batman

When growing up I had the “got to get them all” bug with action figures from my favorite TV shows or movies. I remember gazing at the Service Merchandise catalog planning out which Jurassic Park figure I’d beg my parents for next. Even as an adult I still walk through the toy aisle to see if anything grabs my wallet’s attention. However, through the years action figures have somewhat lost their luster. Some are reduced to a size that doesn’t merit the money you’re shelling out, and others are giant warped versions of what they should look like.

Recently I have not been impressed with any of the newer action figures until I came across the Snap and Switch Batman: The Brave And The Bold Deluxe action figures.

At first, they may look ordinary, but what makes them stand out is customization. The accessories that come with the figure have removable parts that can snap on to other accessories and onto the figure itself. Also these parts can be used on other figures and their weapons, so the more figures you have the more unique your figures and accessories can be.

Now the weapons are mostly spring loaded and it is very easy to trigger the weapon while playing with it, so children should be careful since they may hit themselves with it or lose the missile.

The figures don’t bend at the knee so they can only be posed standing, but they do swivel at the waist and head.

These action figures are pretty cool and I’d recommend them for any child and any child at heart.

Find it online:
Batman
Blue Beetle