Toyology

Forget Ordinary Chess – Play the Ultimate Chess Set with Lego

We’ve got to admit, chess is a bit boring and we never feel the urge to play the dull game with the black and white board. Now, had someone asked us if we wanted to play with this LEGO Castle Giant Chess Set we might have most definitely would have been persuaded. LEGO has transformed all the plastic pieces into static LEGO characters including wizards, witches, skeleton warriors, dwarfs, trolls, the king and queen of course and loads of other characters too. Forget pawns and rooks, we want to see this lot do battle. It’s the ultimate battle of good versus evil with LEGO characters. It’s available HERE for around £140.

Massive MB games clearance

At the back of every cupboard, shoved into obscurity in a drawer somewhere or hidden under beds you're likely to find at least one rainy day boredom buster with an MB label. If there isn't or the ones you have are past their sell by dates with pieces missing or just looking a bit tatty then this clearance sale from The Toyshop is the perfect opportunity to rebuild your collection. Buckaroo, Operation and Twister for a fiver, Battleships and Mousetrap a
tenner and plenty more besides. This way please.....

Quack Attack

Easter is soon upon us so we thought we’d bring your attention to a game that fits right in with all that is Easter. Designed for pre-schoolers for learning but great for the whole family to have a laugh with at Easter time, the aim of Lucky Ducks is to match the colours and shapes to the little ducklings as they swim around the motorized pond. A VERY simple games yes, but loads of fun when played with your kids – or when the kids are asleep...whatever works for you!

The Hulk Challenge

Do you think you have what it takes to fix Hulk without setting him off or have a wild race through the streets of New York, smashing your opponent’s vehicles along the way in a bid to make it out of the city first? If you do, we suggest you take on the only way to prove your bravery with the two challenges set out in these two very cool nail-biting games.

Hulk Smash Game

Get ready for that wild race we mentioned with your own clay vehicles, made of course with the Hulk Fist mold case. By wild we mean rolling the dice and waiting your turn to move along the path – but still very very exciting especially when you pick a card that lets you smash your opponents vehicles flat. Keep racing and smashing until someone makes it out of the city.

You have plenty of time to prepare for these challenges as both games are out in June – SRP £14.99

Bratz Do Boardgames

The glitz and glam of Bratz has been transformed into a board game. Meet the Bratz and get their autographs when playing the Starchaserz game. Get a taste of the glamorous life - pick a lipstick you like, listen to the Stilesville 'Radio' Dome, then chase the Bratz all over town. When you catch one of the Bratz use the real stamper to mark your autograph book. The first player to get all four stamps wins and gets to wear a stylin' medal. We saw so many fantastic board games during our time at Toy Fair and we just know littl girls will love playing this one. Available from Hamleys for around £15.

Going Global

Hasbro are pushing yet another version of their iconic board game, this time spaces will be occupied by cities, of which 68 have been nominated (and just 22 available). Railroads will now be switched to land, air, sea and space with community chest and chance cards also getting an update.Cities will be ranked from the highest rental property to the lowest according to the number of votes they receive, with two spaces left for wild card cities. Get voting at www.monopoly.com

Five of Friday: BORED Games

The ceaseless down pour outside seems set to continue this weekend so its time to  invest in at least one boredom busting game, there are of course a myriad of others we’ve simply not the space to mention. Just one of these in your arsenal can defend against outbreaks of family feuding ,this collection offer the perfect partner for pacification, and of course loads of fun for all the family too.

Classic with Plastic – Monopoly Here and Now Electronic - £19.97 at www.tesco.com
The all time classic board game has had a 21st century makeover and now reappears not just with updated playing pieces (mobile phone, rollerblades to name but two) and higher property prices on new locations but no piles of cash. So forget trying to swipe a few notes from the banker now you must swipe your allocated credit card through the electronic banker.

New from Noel for Noel

Flying off the shelves right now is the board game version of Mr Edmonds hit TV show Are You Smarter Than A 10-Year Old? The Board Game brings adults and kids together to answer general knowledge questions that any 10-year old should be able to answer.As in the TV quiz show hosted by Noel Edmonds, simply answer 11 school curriculum-based questions that an average 10 year old should know. Claiming victory over the young people will ensure you avoid the humiliation of having to admit – “I am not smarter than a 10 year old!” Get yours for around £20 almost everywhere

Don’t Tip the Waiter

It’s his first day on the job and this nervous little chappie needs your help collecting and balancing a load of plates and cups on his tray. Each time he receives a tip, the game progresses and his tray gets higher and higher. Players beware – one plate too many and it could all come crashing down. Thank god they’re not real otherwise there would be a real mess. Get this stacking game for around £16 from the Worldwide Shopping Mall.

$2 Million up for Grabs

Do you like a challenge? With $2million in the kitty for the person who completes this 256 piece puzzle first, what more inspiration do you need to go out and buy one of these mind bogglers? Following the success of its predecessor Eternity I and its $1 million prize fund, Eternity II has made a long-awaited comeback, so if you want to get in the rat race we suggest you do so now because as we speak there are geeks and nerds worldwide trying to get their hands on that precious booty. The incentive has been laid out for you – it’s up to you what you do with this information. Available from Amazon for £19.99.