Cranium Bumparena Review

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(More customer reviews)We have several Cranium games at our house, and have played various ones at various times, depending on the age and interest of our kids (currently ages 12, 9, and 6). This is a review of the ones we have used.

So, in no particular order:

Bumparena - In this game, players take turns adding bumpers and rubber balls to a sloped game board, base on easy-to-understand game cards (all pictures, no reading). When the balls are released, the bumpers divert the balls to one of three player goals. Collect 6 balls and win. This game sets up and moves quickly, you could probably complete one game within 15 minutes of opening the game box. It is simple to learn, and it probably could be played by most 6 year olds with minimal adult help. While the concept is easy to grasp, there is some strategy involved, as well as some appreciation of physics (angles, rebound, gravity, chance). This is another good game for getting young and old siblings to the same
table.

Zooreeka - This is the newest addition to our house and the current favorite with our youngest and middle child. In Zooreka, players roll a movement die to move around a game board in typical fashion. Spaces can bestow extra turns, allow players to draw cards, or allow trading of tokens. The tokens are the key. A second die allows players to collect "food", "animal", and "shelter" cards, ultimately turning a correct mix of them in for a "habitat". Four habitats make a "zoo". The first to make a zoo wins. It sounds pretty typical. The twists are that players essentially bet on the outcome of a die roll. Food is the most common outcome, followed by "animal" and "shelter". The odds are better for the food, but the other two are increasingly valuable. This is a great way to teach kids about probability. It also keeps players involved on every die roll, since a player can collect a card on any die roll. This focuses wandering attention spans. The cards are like the "chance" space in Monopoly; they can give or take away accumulated tokens. Finally, tokens can only be "redeemed" at a trading post space. This allows a trailing player a chance to catch up and tends to limit insurmountable leads. Games are of medium length (30 minutes or so).

Ziggity - Ziggity is a card game - think Uno with the added twist that, like other Cranium games, different parts of the brain are used. The cards have a number, a puzzle piece, a letter, and a shape, one in each corner. On each turn, the player is required to match shapes, add numbers, complete a puzzle or spell words in order to play the cards. There are also draw cards, skip cards, and wild cards. This is a fun game for kids old enough to spell and add, as well as for the rest of the family. The games are very quick, unlike the cranium board games. We will sometimes get in a quick few hands before bedtime when we want o play a family game but don't have much time. Finally, the plastic cards are very colorful and durable, a big plus when you have young `uns wanting to learn to shuffle.

Hullabloo - great, silly fun and very kinetic. It works best when a parent is willing to get down on the floor and be silly with their kids. It holds their interest for a relatively short time (10-20 minutes), but it does burn up the energy and generate the laughs.

Cadoo - a fun, quick board game that taps into different part of you brain - memory, analytical, creative, expressive, etc. - but keeps things fun and fast-paced. We found it more approachable for our younger kids than Cranium

Cranium - like Cadoo, it mixes in many different ways to use your brain, this time in a longer board game format. This one is a bit tougher on younger players. Also, both games do a fair job of letting younger players be competitive, but they are still games that can be a challenge to keep fair and interesting to all players if the age range between them is too great.

Cranium Family Fun Game - Teamwork is probably the best aspect of the Family Fun Game, and it's seems like such a novel idea that you are left wondering why more board games don't use this approach. Unless you have twins, then having multiple kids in your family means wide variations in ability. That is okay for games of chance, but for games that require dexterity or creativity, it's very hard to find a game that kids who are 13, 10, and 7 can enjoy together. This game solves the problem by dividing into two teams. Teams then alternate between completing certain tasks. Examples include "find three items that start the letter S", answer a true/false question, or "build a tower with blocks and then knock it over using the frogs" (they hop like tidily winks). Like other Cranium games, the tasks use your whole brain. Also, the team concept lets at least half of the players come away winners and teaches cooperation, both rare in board games. Another winner from Cranium.

Overall - great family games that stimulate parts of the brain often neglected by board games, yet keep it so fun that kids won't even realize that they are educational.

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Product Description:
Cranium Bumparena is the outrageous game that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. Place the bumpers on the Bumparena board to guide the balls into your goal. Think you've got, the perfect plan' One twist of a bumper can change the outcome in a flash. And once the balls start to fall, you never know which way they'll roll. The first player to score six goals is the winner. No two games are the same, but each one is full of excitement and laughter. Everyone will enjoy its unpredictable fun.

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