Kids Toys For Christmas Reviews » edition

Operation Spongebob Edition

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:51:07 +0000

SpongeBob's trapped in Plankton's lab, with 12 ailments designed to make him blab! Can you help your Bikini Bottom buddy keep the Krabby Patty recipe a secret' Perform delicate undersea surgery on his Barnacle Brain, Clammy Hands and Patty Pleasure Center without setting off the buzzer. The surgeon with the steadiest hands earns top pay and saves the day. Includes gameboard with SpongeBob SquarePants "patient" and tweezers, 24 cards, 12 plastic Funatomy parts, play money and rules. Requires 2 "AA" batteries, not included.

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Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:39:24 +0000

.caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } The Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition game combines the best of classic Monopoly with updated electronic transactions. As with the original version, players still operate with money, learn real-world economics, competition and strategy, try to stay out of jail, and try their best to get filthy rich. But this version has been updated to reflect changes in how the real world uses money: All transactions are conducted with Monopoly's new banking card system. Anyone from age 8 and up will enjoy this updated version of one of the world's most famous games. Updated from the original game, the Banking Edition features updated tokens, money system, and more. View larger. This version of Monopoly features bank card accounts. View larger. Classic Fun with Modern Twists Aside from the electronic banking, the basic rules of this game have not changed from the Monopoly everybody remembers. Tokens, houses, hotels, chance and community chest cards, cardboard property deeds -- if you've played the classic version, you'll know how to play. The board is different in how it folds up in the box, but once you spread it out, it's the same. The tokens have changed to reflect today's culture. Instead of irons and racing cars, the tokens depict modern icons such as a Segway and a tin of Altoids. Instead of railroads, there are airports. The utilities are Internet service providers and cell phone services. Properties have also been updated -- from the upscale blue Times Square to the economy purple Texas Stadium. In this game, you can go to jail for identity theft or lose $1 million when a virus infects your computer network. And of course, property values are exponentially higher than in the original game. The big switch, of course, is the electronic banking. Each player starts with $15 million in their bank card account, and the banker adds amounts (such as when the player passes go) or subtracts (such as when the player pays to get out of jail) by inserting the player's card in the plus or minus slot of the Banker Unit. When one player has to pay another player, the banker debits or credits each account as appropriate. Monopoly for Right Now The electronic banking is neat and easy to handle, and as an added educational bonus, the player who takes on the banker role will quickly become familiar with basic bookkeeping concepts. The bank cards operate more like debit than credit, so players will learn responsible money management, not how to run up credit card debt. This version of Monopoly doesn't play significantly differently than the original. The game can still take hours to play, and the instructions offer several alternatives for those who want speedier play. The updates introduce a few elements of surprise along the way, but for the most part it's still the same great Monopoly that will provide the same kind of family fun with some surprising, up-to-date twists. Pros Same basic game play, but with up-to-date references Electronic banking works well, easy to learn Teaches responsible money management Fun for both kids and adults Cons Player customizations might not work with the new version Updated references will eventually become out of date, too What's in the Box Game board, electronic Banker Unit, 6 tokens, 28 title deed cards, 16 chance cards, 16 community chest cards, 6 Monopoly bank cards, 32 houses, 12 hotels, and 2 dice.

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Monopoly City Edition

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:06:51 +0000

Monopoly City adds new twists to the classic board game. Designed for children ages eight and up, this board game will teach your kids about what it takes to be the best property developer and the work that goes into building their dream city. With the goal of owning the prestigious Monopoly tower, your kids will be learning important lessons about money while wheeling and dealing their way to the top. Monopoly City Ages: 8+ Requires: 2 "AAA" batteries (not included) Phillips screwdriver to replace batteries 2 to 6 players What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: The Good: A fun family game that teaches important lessons about money. The Challenging: Rules may be challenging for younger players. In a Nutshell: An exciting, futuristic twist on the classic Monopoly game. Build your own 3-D city in hopes of owning the prestigious Monopoly tower. View larger. Cool New 3-D Buildings Monopoly City is exactly like classic Monopoly in lay out, rules, and gameplay--roll the dice, move your character around the board, and try not to spend too much time in jail or go bankrupt! However Monopoly City has also made several neat changes, with newly named properties, new monetary values, futuristic buildings, and new playing cards. Whereas with the original version of Monopoly Park Place was one of the most prestigious properties to own--with Monopoly City you will be striving to acquire a permit for the fancy Fortune Valley. The buildings are modern and 3-D, and the currency has much higher values, ranging up to five million dollars--no small change here! Instead of property deeds, you acquire permits for the zones you'd like to build in, and this latest version also includes an electronic trading unit, making it possible to hold "public" or "private" auctions for your properties and districts. Learning Important Values While Having Fun Monopoly City is not only fun for your kids and the family, but it also teaches important lessons and values about money--including the work and planning that goes into building their own dream city. We also like that this board game includes several new fun features like the electronic trading unit and updated cards. Long-time Monopoly fans will find these new twists fun and interesting. And for those who are just learning how to play, the game is certain to become an instant hit. What's in the Box Game board, six movers, buildings, 22 District cards, 25 Chance cards, six Reminder cards, one Rent Dodge card, two dice, one money pack, and one trading unit with instructions. (Batteries not included.)

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