Fundex Games - Holiday Gift Guide Review and Giveaway

Getting a game out in my home means quality time with the family and some friendly competition. Although we have our favorites, we're not picky with what kind of games we play. Card games, board games, word games....you name it, we'll play it.


That's why I was giddy when I found out about Fundex Games. Fundex Games, Ltd., a privately-based company founded in 1986, produces a wide range of board games, dice games, and card games. They also have a line of outdoor game products. The company sent me three games to play and review.


The first game we played was A to Z Electronic. Out of the three, this one was my favorite. For 2-4 players, A to Z Electronic challenges the mind to come up with creative words that correlate with letters of the alphabet. Each person takes turns drawing category cards and thinking of items for each letter of the alphabet that matches what is on the card.

Some of the categories include:
Things that live in trees
Animals with Horns
Vegetables

Once you've drawn the category card, the timer starts and you have thirty seconds to quickly think. For instance, if you draw the animals with horns card, you need to shout as many animals with horns as you can for each letter of the alphabet. For each one you get right, the letters are turned off and it's then the next player's turn.

The game ends when the first player turns off all the letters. The twist is that you can't use a letter again if you already did for a different category. There's also steal buttons and free buttons to turn an opponent's letters on or off. It's not so hard in the beginning, but definitely becomes challenging towards the end.

The game unit keeps track of whose turn it is and how many letters have been turned off for each turn. Three AA batteries are required, which are not included. That's the only thing I consider a downfall with this game.








Another game, Phase 10 Twist, is a spin-off from the classic card game. Just as with Phase 10, you are trying to get sets and runs. With a game board and cards, players must complete rummy phases to move around the board. Unique "twist" spaces on the board give the player different choices in making sets or runs. Sometimes it works out for the best and sometimes it's a wrong move. On one turn you could be trying to work on one phase and, based upon a move, you'll be working on a different phase the next. To win, a player must make it completely around the board and complete all ten phases.

Phase 10 Twist requires a lot of thought and strategy. There are also many forward and backward moves made throughout the game. I think children would get frustrated with this game quickly, but adults would enjoy the challenge.




My boys are big fans of the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid book series, so they were happy to see one of their favorite card games decked out in designs from it. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Uno comes in a collector's tin, which is a huge plus. It keeps the cards in place until the next game is played.

This game is played just like regular Uno, with the addition of the Cheese Touch Card. It can only be played on yellow cards. If a player is able to discard it, the next player must pick up two cards from the draw pile. If they can't discard it, they must pick up two cards themselves. It's also worth 50 points, so it's one you don't want to be stuck with in the end.

All three of the games we've played have brought on different challenges and thinking skills. These games, along with others from Fundex Games, would make a nice holiday present for the gamer in your life.

Win It!

Six (6) people will each win Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Uno.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with the name of a game you'd enjoy playing from Fundex Games.

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Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments. Giveaway is open to residents of the Continental USA. Giveaway ends 12/03/10 at 8 pm CST. Winners will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

I received games for review from Fundex Games. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.