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Paris & Roma Get On Board Review

GET ON BOARD PARIS & ROMA follows hot on the heels of the 2022 game Get on Board London & New York. Both are based on an older Japanese game called Let’s Make a Bus Route (which I haven’t played) but each bring their own style and scoring specialties to the gaming table.

Essentially this is flip and write where we are travelling around Paris (1-3 players) and Roma (4-5 players), trying to create the most point-tastic route possible. But, as well as the pencil and paper used to check off your moves, record your scores, and collect bonuses, there’s a traditional board game element in the form of path markers which you place on the map on your turn.

And turns, whilst straightforward, present prickly placement puzzles from the get-go. Starting with which shape route to use on your very first turn. You see, at the beginning of each of those 12 rounds a ticket card gets flipped showing a number. On your sheet, each number has 2 possible marker configurations associated, and you can only use each one once. So having chosen your starting spot from a random choice, noted your personal scoring objective (which will be a route taking in 3 specific locations on the board), and looked at the public scoring goals (which will be collecting multiples of a specific passenger type) in play for the duration of the game (and which have a first-player points bonus attached), the pressure is on to start your route right!

From collecting diners for a romantic date, to making sure old grannies get to their knitting natter sessions safely, you’ll be crossing off people and locations as you make your way around the city. But, timing is crucial because you’ll only score your passengers if you deliver them to their destinations. So you need to make sure you move through the faces before the connected places! Heading to the tourist hot spots in Paris will be for nought if you haven’t got any tourists on your bus by the time you get there. Same for students and businessmen. And the more passengers you can cram in before reaching a stop, the more points each will be worth (and some even reward bonuses to!).

Going Loopy

If all that sizzling synaptic spatial action wasn’t enough, you’ve then got to consider where other players are heading, and avoid creating a closed loop in your own route. Because if one of your route markers circles round and touches another part of your existing route, its au revoir Paris, arrivederci Roma; you will be eliminated from the game! Unlike London & New York where traffic was a nightmare of negative marking, however, sharing routes in Paris or Roma can actually help you. So, not that I advocate tail-gating, but if you see an opponent cruising down a route not too far from yours, you might want to get on board with their plan for a bit!

To help, you can modify your route marker shape by adding in bends should you need to. But the penalty in points can be big, and increases the more times you use it. To counter the hits, there are also special spots that let you extend your route by one piece for free….but again those are worth points at end game if you don’t partake.

Final Thoughts

We really enjoy this game and the artwork. Set collection, route making, push your luck, flip and write, and a solo mode all wrapped up in a lovely stylised puzzly package. It’s placement optimisation from start to finish, and we really like that.

Our 8-year-old likes to place the markers and make a route but he’s not really looking at the scoring objectives. There’s a lot to balance in terms of placing your markers each turn and he’s not quite there yet. Given how much he likes other transport-based flip and writes/roll and writes like Metro X and Railroad Ink, however, I don’t think it will be long before he is whizzing round the city scooping up all the scoring opportunities he can.

The two player mode also includes a bonus for using routes of a randomly selected colour which is another delightful decision dilemma inducing aspect. GET ON BOARD is without doubt multiplayer solitaire as there’s no way to mess with someone else’s route, although you can deny them full bonus marks if you’re first to grab a public scoring objective. But again, that doesn’t bother us as we are each invested in making our own route the best it can be. Brain v board rather than each other!

And with plenty of objectives and personal goals, as well as the randomness of the ticket flip, you’ll be making new routes and hunting down different passengers for those extra points each game. The double passenger spots and the bonus markers definitely help with combo scoring too.

The only thing that is a slight disappointment is that, as a predominantly solo and two/three player gaming family, we don’t get to enjoy the Roma side of the board unless we can take it to a game night with others. And I’d love to whizz around Roma picking up passengers and dropping them off for la dolce vita! But I guess we can always each play two routes – double the chance of winning……or loop the looping into a route marking mare!

This blog was written by Favouritefoe

Editors note: This post was originally published on 13th July 2023. Updated on 18th July 2024 to improve the information available.

Pass The Pigs Review

In Pass the Pigs you will take the two pig “dice” and roll them onto the table. The positions that the pigs land in will be worth certain points. After scoring these and if you did not roll a “pig out” (with one pig showing a spot and the other not) then you can decide to take your points and score them for your turn or push your luck and roll the pigs again. If you get a pig out you will lose all points accrued so far that turn, and play will pass to your left. In this way you will try to be the first to score 100 points. This is a simple, portable game with a whole host of fun to be had by players of all ages. With a little help, children as young as 5 can enjoy the fun of passing the pigs.

Do You Like Fun?

Setup of this game is very simple; take the two piggies from the box and start tossing them onto the table and shouting out their positions. Each different position scores a different amount of points based on its difficulty to achieve. A pig on their back (a razorback) is worth a simple 5 points, but get yourself two razorbacks (a double razorback) and you’ll net yourself a sweet 20 points. Aim of this game is to reach 100 points by throwing piggies onto the table and scoring points based on how they land.

Where Can I Pass Pigs, & With Who?

Pass the Pigs is a traditional parlour game that has really stood the test of time. The gameplay is simple and the fun is maximum. This is a great game for people of all ages. Its small package and easy gameplay makes it a staple for travel, camping and restaurants. Aside from a trip to the beach (pigs do not like being lost in the sand) I cannot see many opportunities unsuitable for a game of Pass the Pigs.

What Is Pig Throwing Good For?

Well I am so glad that you have asked. There are many things to be learned from Pass the Pigs

Pig passing is great for learning simple addition skills. The whole game is based on adding up your scores and deciding whether to push on or stick with what you have earned so far. Your children will get quick at adding on 5 points at a time, and this game is so addictive you will find them doing maths without even realising.

Perils of pushing your luck is another thing you will be exposed to. You can choose to play it safe, and that brings with it known success, or you can roll the piggies again and risk what you have already earnt in search of bigger scores. There will invariably be a dose of disappointment when you roll a pig out and lose all that you had built up, but this quick play style helps to soften the blow with getting back on the horse quickly after. You can also still be involved by shouting out the positions that your fellow players make the piggies get into and also aiding with the maths of adding up their scores too.

If you are looking for a game for your jollies or your trips to grandma’s house then look no further than Pass the Pigs. And if you think this is a game just for kids then prepare to be proven wrong. Much fun was had by me and 15 other women at a hen party a few years ago with whoops of delight each time the fabled leaning jowler was thrown only to be followed by an overzealous pig out and tumble back down to zero points.

This blog was written by Hannah Blacknell

Editors note: This post was originally published on 27th April 2023. Updated on 12 July 2024 to improve the information available.

Mayhem In The Library Review

Mayhem in the Library is a super 1,000 piece jigsaw that includes 101 hidden book titles. Having solved the other two puzz-ames in the series (Day at the Festival and Night at the Movies), I was ready to get my head into a book……based puzzle!

Solving the puzzle is good old jigsawing fun. the pieces are thick, glossy, and unusually shaped which we really liked. To me, puzzles are always more fun when you have odd shaped pieces. I can’t explain why, they just seem that way! And eliminating plastic on the outside of the box, as well as inside, gets two thumbs up from me and my gaming group.

The picture is cool too. Watching the craziness unfold amidst the shelves and stacks of books is fun, and definitely nothing like my local library! The palette is quite understated – lots of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns, but that feels quite relaxing. Like curling up with your favourite book….and good thing too as the hard work is about to begin!

Once you have solved the picture and marvelled at all the details you can see, you then have to piece together 101 book titles from the characters and events going on in the library! Some are quite straightforward – the guy playing basketball in the field was an easy spot as Catcher in the Rye – but others will have you chewing your bookmark for days! We were stumped on a few for some time. But luckily there’s a solution and a copy of the complete picture in black and white identifying all the individual riddle images if you really need a helping hand too.

Jigsaws that have an extra layer of puzzliness are real hits in our house. Again, like the others in the series, they’re designed for an older crowd that our 8 year old, but he is a fiend at the piecing together stage. Plus, the way his fresh mind and imagination works, he was able to “see” things that us older puzzlers missed or disregarded. As such and as a family, we had a great time solving this together.

Plus it’s a great slow burn. We couldn’t solve all the riddles in one session. But were able to dip in and out of it whenever one or more of us had a few moments and a desire to find one more of those books! As such, it stayed on the puzzle board a lot longer than most, and I’m tempted to keep it and frame it as really is a brilliant piece of art underneath all the riddling fun!

Final Thoughts

We had a great time with this puzzle. If you love games and puzzles like we do, I’d recommend Mayhem in the Library and the others in the series. I can’t say which is my favourite as they are all slightly different. But, with a memory as bad as mine, I know I’ll happily piece and puzzle my way through it again at some point!

This blog was written by Favouritefoe

Editors note: This post was originally published on 30th May 2023. Updated on 12 July 2024 to improve the information available.

Janod Toys Top Picks

When it comes to kids’ toys, Janod is your ticket to easy, fun playtimes! These toys spark imagination and keep kids entertained for hours. Toy Street has a fantastic range of Janod products, so let’s dive in and see what they offer!

Janod Trio Corner Kitchen

The Janod Trio Corner Kitchen is a must-have item for budding chefs. This beautifully crafted wooden play kitchen is designed with vibrant colors and realistic features, and comes equipped with an oven, microwave, sink, clock, and a host of accessories including pots, pans, and utensils.

One of the standout features of the Trio Corner Kitchen is its interactive elements. The knobs click when turned, and the sink has a removable basin for easy cleaning. The attention to detail encourages children to engage in imaginative play, mimicking real-life cooking and kitchen scenarios. This not only provides entertainment but also helps develop fine motor skills and a sense of responsibility, making it a perfect addition to any playroom.

Janod Pocket Moo and Baa Noisemaker

For on-the-go fun, the Janod Pocket Moo and Baa Noisemaker is a perfect choice. This charming, compact toy is perfect for little hands and curious minds. The noisemaker comes in two variants, each making a distinctive sound – moo for the cow and baa for the sheep.

It’s simple but so much fun, providing a tactile and auditory experience that kids love. It’s sturdy enough to handle travel, car rides, or quiet time at home.

Janod Happy Gardener Little Gardener Playset

For children who love to play outdoors and get their hands dirty, the Janod Happy Gardener Little Gardener Playset is an ideal choice. This playset includes a variety of gardening tools designed for green thumbs, including a rake, trowel, watering can, and gloves. Each piece is crafted from durable materials and features bright, engaging colors.

Janod Pocket Kaleidoscope

The Janod Pocket Kaleidoscope is a timeless toy that continues to fascinate children and adults alike. This compact, handheld kaleidoscope is perfect for curious minds eager to explore patterns and colors. Simply look through the lens and twist to see a display of geometric designs.

The portability of the Pocket Kaleidoscope means it can easily fit into a pocket or bag, making it an ideal companion for outings!

Janod Pocket Articulated Caterpillar

Finally, we have the Janod Pocket Articulated Caterpillar. This adorable, flexible toy is designed to entertain and educate young kids. Its segmented body can be twisted and turned to create various shapes and movements. It’s great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and the bright colors and friendly design make it super appealing.

Conclusion

With Janod toys from Toy Street, you can be confident that you’re providing your child with the very best in educational and entertaining play experiences. So why wait? Explore our range today!

Ticket To Ride United Kingdom Review

Get On Board

The biggest board game success story since that top-hat-wearing fool tried to Monopolise the London property market has to be Alan R Moon’s Ticket to Ride. The original game pulled into the station in 2004 with its simple gameplay and colourful components taking the world by storm. After only ten years of its release, it had sold over three million copies and has continued to break the bank in the decade since. For those of you who have yet to jump on board, the rules are simple. There is a central map, (in the original game it was the USA but there has since been a European core game released as well) and all across it are a series of coloured tracks that connect all the major cities. At the beginning of the game, each player receives a set amount of little plastic trains in their chosen colour and three tickets showing pairs of cities. Your job in Ticket to Ride United Kingdom is to complete those tickets by connecting them using your trains. Do so and you get points. If you do not, then you lose those points. Sounds easy right? So how do you put those cute little carriages down? You need to collect train cards of the same colour matching whatever track you want to lay down. If you want that little connection between LA and San Fran then you will need either three pink cards or a mix of pink and wild cards. Once you do, you can trade them and place your trains, collecting points for each time you place. The longer the track the more points that placement is worth. On your turn you have three options. You can either pick two cards from the card market, (blind from the deck or from the face up options) adding to your unlimited hand. Or you can discard cards to place trains and score some points. Finally, if all is going well and you have completed some of your tickets you can draw some more. This is the real spice of the game. Get greedy and you won’t finish all of your tickets and lose out big time at the end of the game. But get lucky and you can draw tickets you have accidentally completed already! The iend game is triggered when any player has only four trains or less remaining and all points are tallied. As well as scoring as you go along, you add or deduct your ticket points as well as reward the player with the longest continuous track.

Rule Britannia

Much like Monopoly it didn’t take long for Days of Wonder to utalise the power of local appeal. But unlike the big ‘M’, Ticket to Ride realised that in order to treat your audience with the respect they deserve, slapping a skin onto the product wasn’t going to cut it. And so they started releasing new maps that offered different mechanisms into the game. For this giant, beardy Welshman, it didn’t take me long to find that there was a map that included my motherland and so opened my patriotic purse and bought it. The first thing to realise about the United Kingdom edition, from 2015 is that you will need a core box to play, whether USA or Europe. The second thing to realise is it also comes with a map for Pennsylvania. It has become almost a tradition that with every alternate country edition, on the reverse is another state to add to the original USA’s portfolio but I will get to that a little later. But first, the United Kingdom. This map is split up into the different countries but what makes this map interesting is that, being at the dawn of the rail network you will need to develop your technology in order to travel between countries. This comes in the form of cards that cost a certain amount of automotive/wild cards. If you want to travel to Cardiff then spend one card on your turn and get the welsh concession technology card. There are also lots of other technologies that will upgrade your automotive experience. You will need propellers if you want to claim ferry routes or a steam boiler if you want to claim 4/5/6 length routes. This whole mechanism adds so much more decision making to the game and pushes you to go in specific routes (pun always intended). It also makes the wild cards so much more valuable and so the moment one pops up in the market, someone is sure to snap it up.

Pesky Pennsylvania

This new map also adds a new mechanism. The stock shares, an element never before used in Ticket to Ride, add a great deal of strategy. Most routes on the Pennsylvania map are marked with one or more railroad company logos. When you play trains on a route, you choose a stock certificate from one of the pictured companies. The largest company, naturally enough, is the Pennsylvania Railroad with 15 shares. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad has 10 shares, the Erie Lackawanna Railway has eight, the Reading Railroad has seven, and so on down to the smallest – the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railway – which has just two shares. At the end of the game, players score points based on how many shares they own in each company. Some of the longest routes, offer no stock shares, just the normal points for claiming those routes. Again, this map adds a lot more decision space with players chasing stocks rather than longest routes or completing lots of tickets.

This collection, for me, adds some of the most exciting and interesting mechanisms into the game. The stocks are great but what really shines in the Ticket To Ride United Kingdom map and all of its technologies. If you have played the base game enough for it to get a little stale then jump on board and buy a ticket for the sunny isle of Great Britain!

This blog was written by Dan Street Phillips

Editors note: This post was Updated on 04/07/2024 to improve the information available.

Muddles Review

Do the little gamers in your family like to invent wild and wonderful animals? Head of a bear with the legs of a lizard = a blizzard. That type of thing? If so, The Muddles card game could be a great one for family game night!

How To Play

Setting up the game is simple – lay out one of each muddle card and then shuffle the remainder and add 8 more. Some muddles will be duplicated and others not depending on the draw. Pop the rest back and then give each player 3 animal cards face-up from the deck and place the remainder of the deck in the centre of the table.

If you can make a muddle on your turn by matching two of your cards to the required mix (e.g. a jellyfish and a cow), claim it and add it to your winning pile, discarding the two cards you used. Then draw back up to three animal cards.

If you can’t make a muddle, you must discard two cards and draw two new ones from the animal deck face up. If you can now muddle, great! Next turn you’ll be able to discard the matching cards and claim that marvellous muddle (if it’s still there to claim!! But if you still can’t muddle and you have two matching animals, you discard the unique one and draw a new card. If you end up with 3 matching animals…Jackpotting Jellyfish! Next turn you’ll be able to claim any muddle you want!

Sneakily, if you have the two cards needed to make a muddle, instead of dipping into the pool, you can steal one from another player (so long as the one you want is sitting atop their winning pile!).

If the animal card deck runs out during play, the discard pile simply gets re-shuffled. The game ends when the last muddle has been claimed and then it’s point totalling time!

Final Thoughts

The Muddles is a super cute, fun twist on mixing and matching that’s spot on for the recommended age of 6+. Colourful chimera abound the table, and it’s definitely a struggle not to fall for the charms of the wow and the wee!

But with cards worth different number of points and a dash of take-that stealing action, it’s also not just a little person’s game. Older kids, parents, and others will have fun playng this too. There are also some variants that can ratchet the game up a notch further. And whilst it can feel like you’re in a bit of a loop when you have two matching cards and the third one isn’t bringing together any muddles, suddenly getting that third cow is a yessssss! moment. You won’t be able to help yourself. You’ll be sitting there in front of your cards, and you will be eyes-wide-waiting-to-flip. And you will enjoy that sweet jackpot moment! It’s intense!! Haha Okay so it’s not going to be the most tense game you play, but it’s still cute and colourful and fun. And that’s what gaming with our next gen should be about!

There’s also a really sweet storybook included in the box that tells the tale of Wow’s birthday. And Big Potato have maximised the use of environmentally materials including the use of stickers made from plants! How I don’t know, but it’s very cool indeed! And we always have a chat around the table about environmental issues when we see the references to plastic free packaging in Big Potato games.

Overall The Muddles is a really sweet, fun, budget friendly little card game that our almost 8 year old really enjoys playing. And honestly we really enjoyed playing it with him too! It doesn’t take long, and it’s a great one to help our son match patterns and learn good sportsmanship. When someone takes his Frug, he can’t get the grumps! Trouble is, now he wants us to have belllyfishes on the farm…….and whilst we have bees and fish, I’m not sure my genetic engineering skills are going to be up to par! Haha

Editors note: This post was Updated on 04/07/2024 to improve the information available.

Top 5 Wooden Toys: A Guide To Quality And Fun

Looking for a playtime with a quick and easy set up and clear down? Luckily for you, the plastic toy pandemonium seems to be waning with more and more wooden toys are filling nurseries and playrooms, and they’re the perfect way for children to engage their imagination! Here’s a roundup of the top five wooden toys available on Toy Street, each with its own unique charm and benefits:

1. Food Groups – Wooden Play Food

The Food Groups – Wooden Play Food set is a fantastic tool for teaching children about nutrition and healthy eating habits. This set includes various wooden pieces representing different food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and proteins. Each piece is crafted from solid wood, made with vibrant colours and realistic designs, and comes with 4 wooden baskets for sorting and storage!
Benefits include the educational value of the right food groups, fine motor skills, and imaginative play.

2. Emergency Services Wooden Stacking Cubes

These stacking cubes, each numbered 1-5, are painted to represent a different emergency service building, and they also come with a wooden vehicle to really help children engage in play! These stacking cubes can be arranged in various configurations, promoting problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.
Benefits include thematic learning as kids learn about the different emergency services and the role they play, motor skills and cognitive development.

3. My First Wooden Activity Toy

The My First Wooden Activity Toy is a versatile plaything designed to captivate and educate toddlers. This toy features multiple activities, such as bead mazes, shape sorters, and spinning gears, all integrated into one compact structure. Its colourful design and variety of activities keep children engaged while promoting multiple areas of development – and it’s tummy time friendly – what’s not to love!
Benefits include sensory development as children explore different textures and colours, fine motor skills and problem solving.

4. DIY Wooden Truck

The DIY Wooden Truck is a fantastic toy for budding builders! It is not only a fun truck with moving wheels and a pull along cord, but also a construction set with nuts, plates and screws – 17 pieces in total (including 3 tools) – we’re talking two toys in one!
Benefits include construction skills, creativity and problem solving.

5. Peter Rabbit Wooden Stacking Cubes (FSC)

The Peter Rabbit Wooden Stacking Cubes set is inspired by the beloved tales of Peter Rabbit. Each cube features illustrations from the classic stories, offering a blend of play and literature. Made from FSC-certified wood, this set is environmentally friendly and sustainable, not to mention aesthetically pleasing with its pastel colours!
Benefits include literary connection, environmental awareness, and cognitive and motor skills.

Why Choose Wooden Toys?

Wooden toys are known for their durability. Unlike plastic toys, they can withstand rough play and last for generations. They’re also safer, as they’re typically free from harmful chemicals and toxins.

Environmental Benefits
Wooden toys are often made from sustainable materials, making them a more eco-friendly choice. Many manufacturers, like those featured on Toy Street, use FSC-certified wood to ensure responsible forestry practices.

Developmental Advantages
Wooden toys are designed to stimulate a child’s mind. They encourage open-ended play, allowing children to use their imagination and creativity. Additionally, many wooden toys focus on educational themes, enhancing cognitive, motor, and social skills.

Final Thoughts

Toy Street offers a diverse selection of wooden toys that cater to various interests and developmental needs. From food groups to literature, going back to the basics of building blocks really can be a game changer in your child’s development!

Sleeping Queens Review

Have you exhausted playing Hapy Families and Go Fish now and want to move on with your family to something with a little more about it in terms of strategy. But it is also educational by encouraging simple maths during gameplay. Then seriously look no further than Sleeping Queens. This is a small card game by Gamewright is a brightly coloured box of fun with great artwork and simple rules but a tonne of fun.

In Sleeping Queens you will be trying to wake up queens by playing king cards from your hand to awaken the sleeping queens. As all the queen cards are placed in the middle face down, you will have the fun of turning over the queen of your choice. These range in points from 5 to 20, some have special abilities like allowing you to wake another queen, but most importantly they are worth points and are the way that you win.

The kings are key, but these are mixed up with a bunch of other cards, mostly number cards. Herein lies the simple maths. You are going to want to get the number cards out of your hand so you can snag some kings or dragons and get yourself some queens. Ordinarily you can only discard one card from your hand to draw another. However, if you can make a sum out of your cards then you can discard them all to draw new cards. So in that way you could discard a 2, 3 and 5 card (2+3=5) to draw three new cards, giving you a better chance of getting a king.

For a little bit extra bite there are a few “meaner” cards, the sleeping potion will put someone else’s queen back to sleep. Never fear though, if you have a magic wand card you can prevent the sleeping potion from taking effect. There is also the dragon card which will let you steal a queen from another player, this also can be stopped by using a knight card. It really all comes down to whether you have the right card in your hand to protect yourself, sometimes you will, sometimes you won’t. These cards will help you to manage the end point of the game, the winner is the person to get 50 points in queens or to wake up 5 queens.

If you want a family game with great artwork and a fun theme that plays pretty quickly, then I thoroughly recommend giving this one a go.

This blog was written by Hannah Blacknell

Rhino Hero Review

Have you ever played Jenga? Most of us have had a blast with that wooden blocks game which was the cause of lots of laughs and many wobbly hands throughout the last 40 or so years. You are building up a tower and relying on your own body’s dexterity to not give you away and topple the tower for fear you would be the loser. Now there is a new kid on the block, that is Rhino Hero. It comes in this bright yellow box and is quite honestly brilliant!

How Do You Play

Setup is incredibly easy, each player is dealt out a number of cards from the roof deck, set the floor tile in the centre of the table and then place the wall cards which fold and the rhino meeple nearby. That is it. Once you have setup Rhino Hero, then the fun can begin. On your turn you will place walls onto the roof tile on top of the tower and then place a card from your hand on top. Each roof tile has markings on it which show where the walls must be placed, some of the cards require you to move the rhino hero from lower down in the tower up to that level. Other cards allow you to skip the next player, change the direction of the play or place an additional card down. The winner is the first person to get rid of all their cards, although more likely is that there is just one loser who is the person to topple the tower.

Who Is It For?

Are you hunting for the excitement of a dexterity game where your heart will race as you try to place the rhino onto the unstable tower. Rhino Hero will grow with you as you play, there is the strategy of choosing the right card to play to keep yourself safe from harm and trying to topple your opponents into oblivion. This game is perfect for all the family, it is silly fun amongst adults and kids alike.

This blog was written by Hanna Blacknell