3Up 3Down, By ok2win - REVIEW

Nature / Type:            Card game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️      

Recommended age:    7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids/ adults that enjoy quick number games with a hint of strategy  

 “3Up 3Down” from ok2win is that sort of game where you can sit back, relax, whilst satisfying that inner competitiveness for a fun match. It’s fast-paced, family-friendly, and can be enjoyed by all ages. Thank you Divisible by Zero for providing a copy! 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Card Game With Good Mix Of Luck + Strategy 

We love card games with a good mix of luck and strategy. The set comes with 84 cards and an instruction sheet. To set up, shuffle the deck and deal 3 cards face-down to each player. Next, deal a further 6 cards, where the player will now select 3 to be placed face-up, and take the remaining 3 cards in hands. On a turn, each player will play a card which is either equal or in greater value than the topmost card (player can play more than a card of a same value). Player must always fill their hands to have at least 3 cards at all times. If you cannot beat the topmost number, you must pick up all the cards underneath it (the “discard pile”) and add them to your hands, unless you play a “Clear” card (which has the power to get rid of the entire discard pile and remove it from the game). When your hand is empty, you can begin to play on the 3 face-up cards, and lastly, the 3 face-down cards in front of you. Be the first to get rid of all cards to win! 

(2) Sufficient "Clear" Cards To Avoid Too Many Frustrating Penalties 

Just like UNO, no one loves the penalty of picking up the discard pile! But luckily, there are sufficient “Clear” cards around to avoid that nasty pickle. The discard pile can also be cleared away when a same number is played 3 times consecutively (whether by one player or more). 

(3) "Suspense" Till The End 

The “3 Up” and “3 Down” setting is the feature that really sets this game apart from most other card-shedding games. I love the suspense and “calculative” tactics involved that keep all players guessing (and peeking) till the end. I love the strategy behind selecting a good set of “Up” cards (cards with higher value, “clear” power, or repeated numbers are some great choices), mixing with the randomness of the “Down” cards for some final surprise. 

(4) Travel-Friendly & Compact Game 

The game is compact and travel-friendly. The cards are thick, and come in three bright and vivid colours. I love the basic and uncluttered design of the cards. This is a lovely family game! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.thetherapystore.com.au/3-up-3-down

Enjoy the video! 

Fire Noodle Eating Champs, By ToToTam - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Dice game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    8 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Fast dice game with hint of skill element  

I’m NOT a big fan of dice games - they’re too “random”, too “luck-based”, too unpredictable. BUT - “Fire Noodle Eating Champs” is a rare “dice game” that does it RIGHT. It gives a wacky delicious twist, with hint of skill and speed elements that makes the game so delightful and enjoyable! Thank you ToToTam for providing this - we’re loving it! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Competitive Dice Game With Zero Down-Time 

Inspired by the video game created by Wombok Games , Fire Noodle Eating Champs is intense, competitive, with zero down-time. Included in it are 8 dice, 28 “noodle cards”, a trophy card, and a rule sheet. Each contestant starts with 4 topping dice and 4 noodle cards (for beginners, start with 2 x Fire Level 1, and 1 each of Fire Level 2 and 3). On the count of 3, players simultaneously flip over a noodle card, roll the dice (repetitively), and place matching dice to fill up the topping spaces on card. Once all topping spaces on a card are covered - “eat it” and move on to the next card. Sounds simple? Here’s the twist. If you roll a “Spicy” face, that die is put aside and cannot be rolled again unless you “reset” the process to roll 4 dice again (including those “matching dice” that are covering the topping spaces). The first player who finished up 4 “bowls” of spicy noodles and grabbed the Trophy card - wins the game! I love the intensity, instant actions, and the “honesty” element that makes this game so genuinely fun (we have to trust all players not to cheat). 

(2) Spicy Noodles Theme - YUM! 

Oh, and who can resist that heart-pounding excitement of spicy noodles. I love the “oriental” noodle theme - from spring onion garnish, kimchi for a kick of tanginess, marinated eggs, mushrooms, and fiery red chilli. The artwork is simple and adorable. 

(3) Adjustable Difficulty Levels For All Ages 

I love the adjustable levels - each Fire Level represents the number of ingredients (eg a card of Fire Level 4 would have 4 toppings on it). We can adjust the difficulty levels based on skill level / age of players. This is a fantastic family game! 

(4) Sturdy Tin Metal Box 

I love the sturdy and compact tin metal box. Each set has 8 dice for a 2-player challenge, with expandable potential (combining 2 or more sets) for more players. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://shop.goodgames.com.au/products/fire-noodle-eating-champs?variant=43957540487326 (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Jump Jump Joey, By Peaceable Kingdom - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:             Games for toddlers          

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️     

Recommended age:    2 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Kids that love ACTIONS / parents looking for cute games that focus on gross-motor skills 

What a CUTE game this is! This game is specially-designed for toddlers of around 2 year-old and above. I’m super stoked to be sent a copy of “Jump Jump Joey” by Peaceable Kingdom for review (thank you VR Distribution for providing a copy!) 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Cute Kangaroo Apron + A Lots Of Hopping!  

In this set, you get a cute, wearable kangaroo apron (with a pouch), 12 kangaroo pads, a parent guide, and instructions. To set up, spread the kangaroo pads face-down around a room. Each player jumps to 3 different pads whilst saying “Jump Jump Joey”. Next, turn over the last (third) pad that a player is standing near to. If you see a “Joey” (baby kangaroo), place it in Mama Kangaroo’s pouch (there are 3 Joey cards for you to spot). If you do not land near a Joey, then imitate the action as labeled on the pad. The rest of the 9 pads are essentially “action” cards - each has an action stated with an illustration of a kangaroo performing it (“Wiggle”, “Spin”, and more). Keep hopping and jumping around the room until the players located all 3 Joeys - and then, everyone wins together, as a team! Seriously, how CUTE is this game! 

(2) March, Dance, Wiggle, Spin, & More

I have not seen (or reviewed) many games that focus entirely on gross motor skills. I absolutely LOVE the great selection of “action” cards - the kids are asked to “March”, “Shake A Leg”, “Dance”, “Touch Toes”, “Look Surprised”, “Say ‘Where’s My Joey”, and more. I love that the actions cover a whole range of defined and “free-style” movements - including physical, expression, and verbal movements! I think this will be an excellent first game for our little buddies who enjoy moving, laughing, and having fun. 

(3) More Than One Way To Play 

There is more than one way to play with this set! There are other variations suggested, and feel free to come up with creative ideas to use the amazing contents! What about inventing more kangaroo pads with challenging movements for the older kids? Or play a hide-and-seek game, or treasure hunt where the found objects can be stored in the pouch? The game can be played in a group or solo with a kid. It has great potentials for developing essential skills like listening, following directions, building vocabulary, and more! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

Big W (Australia) 

https://www.gamesworld.com.au/product/jump-jump-joey/ (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Micronimo, By Laboludic - REVIEW

Nature / Type:            Board game/ card game  

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️   

Recommended age:    6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids/ adults that love strategy card games with unique theme 

Micronimo from Laboludic is a unique insects-inspired, richly illustrated, and eye-catching card game that would guarantee captured the hearts of many big fans of miniature creatures/ insects. Thank you Divisible by Zero - this is another awesome game that we truly enjoy! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Strategise & Plan - Catch & Pair The Insects To Win

This game includes 90 cards and 1 rule booklet. The aim is to earn the most points by “catching” and collecting insects in pairs of identical cards whilst observing certain conditions to maximise scores. First, select an objective card out of 8 (each card has certain “conditions” that, if met, can either earn a player extra points or get their points deducted). Deal 2 insect cards to each player. On each turn, place face-up in the centre of table (“trap area”) as many pairs of cards as the number of players, plus one additional pair (eg in a 2-player game, we will place 3 pairs of cards). Each player takes turn to select a visible pair of cards to add to their hands. Next, strategise and decide how you want to arrange your cards into “pairs” of identical insect, and place them in columns according to insect-types. The game ends when the draw pile of insect cards is empty. Points are then calculated to determine the winner. 

(2) 8 Objective Cards for A Variety Of Conditions & Challenges 

I love that the 8 objective cards feature a variety of conditions, making each game a fresh challenge in itself. For example, there is a card that will award a player additional 2 points when at least one pair of each accessories are collected (as shown on the insect cards). There is another card which will take away 2 points from a player with the most beetles in collection. I love the replayability and strategy element. We can also increase the complexity by using 2 objective cards. 

(3) Unique Insects Theme & Appealing Artwork 

I love the unique insects theme (featuring 5 insect types: Bee, Ant, Butterfly, Beetle, and Dragonfly). The set also includes 9 Joker Cards (that can represent any of the 5 insects). Some of the insect cards also features an accessory (handheld magnifying glass, butterfly net, or tweezers). I love the colourful and appealing artwork. This is a delightful strategy game for kids and adults. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.childplay.com.au/products/laboludic-micronimo-card-game (Australia) 

Mind Games - Geelong (Australia) 

Check out more reviews of card games from Laboludic 

• Spy Kid, By Laboludic 
• Kezao, By Laboludic 
• Coco Candy, By Laboludic 

Enjoy the video! 

Coco Candy, By Laboludic - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:             Board game/ card game         

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Kids that love speed games (plus candies!) 

We love bringing Coco Candy from Laboludic around with us - it’s a travel-friendly, compact game that’s sweetly irresistible and tastily fun!  Thank you Divisible by Zero for providing a copy! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) A Deliciously Enticing Observation + Speed Game 

The enticing game box contains 54 double-sided, richly illustrated cards. One side of the cards features 8 sweet treats on white background, and the reverse side presents a “challenge” with conditions to fulfil. Using a “traffic light” red and green system, you will see images of 1 to 2 treats in a green frame (the “must have”) and 1 treat in a red frame (the “must not have”). To set up, spread all the cards with the 8 sweet treat images face-up on the table. Now, turn over a random card to its challenge side and observe the conditions. For example, it might show a banana and pink candy in green zone, and a strawberry in red zone - players then race to locate a card that satisfies both conditions (i.e a card that has both banana and pink candy BUT without a strawberry). The first player who spotted the right card wins the Challenge Card. The next round starts immediately by a player flipping over another random card. The BEST thing about this game: its rules are almost self-explanatory and super easy to explain (within seconds, literally), and everyone “gets it” quickly and can join the play at any stage, regardless of age. 

(2) Adorable Candy Theme With Sweet Selections 

We LOVE the adorable candy theme! Apart from the healthy fruit selections, there is also a red candy dispenser, lollipop, two-tier cake with candles, ginger bread man, chocolate donut with rainbow sprinkles, ice cream and cone with a cherry on top, and many more heart-melting treats!

(3) A No-Dull-Time Game For All Ages & Skills 

I love that the challenges suit all ages and skills, with no dull time. Some of the challenge cards present one sweet treat on each green and red zone, and some are slightly tougher with two treats in one zone. We can also add on the intensity by imposing penalty (return a won card) when a player made a mistake (eg pointing to a wrong card)! This is a great game to improve reflexes, observation, and concentration - all in the midst of laughter and non-stop giggles! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kinderplay.com.au/products/coco-candy-game (Australia) 

https://www.dragonflytoys.com.au/products/coco-candy-game-by-laboludic (Australia) 

Check out more reviews of card games from Laboludic 

• Spy Kid, By Laboludic 
• Kezao, By Laboludic 

Enjoy the video!