Passtah, By Recent Toys - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Handheld game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Younger kids / Parents looking for calming, sensory toys 

Passtah from Recent Toys is one of the most unique abstract games I’ve ever seen. It’s a fully 3D puzzle set inside a cube, where you slide blocks around to create paths. Huge thanks to Divisible by Zero for providing this review copy!

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) "Connect Four" in 3D Cube

Imagine Connect Four - but in 3D, where your lines can twist, turn, and zigzag through a futuristic cube. That’s Passtah! The game takes place inside a 5×5×5 lattice cube, with opposite sides marked in matching colors. Two players face off, each with eight chunky blocks in their chosen color - black or white. On your turn, you slide a block into any open spot, sometimes pushing others around to make space. The goal? Connect your colored side of the cube to the opposite side with an unbroken chain of your blocks. Sounds simple, but once the cube starts shifting and paths start crossing, things get surprisingly strategic!

(2) Strategy + Sharp Observation

I love how Passtah hides layers of strategy beneath a simple setup. The game demands sharp observation from every angle - focus on your own path, but never lose sight of your opponent’s! Your tunnel doesn’t have to be straight; it can twist, turn, and weave through the cube in surprising ways. The real challenge is finding the right balance between offense and defense - knowing when to push a block to open your path or when to hold back to block your rival. My only gripe? The rules are printed briefly on the back of the box and leave plenty of ‘what ifs’ and ‘can I’s’ unanswered. A more detailed rulebook would’ve been nice, but the silver lining is that it leaves room for house rules and creative interpretations.

(3) Blocks Locked In Place

Best of all? The blocks lock snugly into place, so you can tilt and turn the Passtah cube at any angle while playing! It’s perfect for lounging on the sofa, riding in the backseat, or even chilling in front of the TV - no table or flat surface needed.

(4) Cool Sci-Fi Feel With Modern Edge

The concept and cube design feel like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, a spaceship in cube form. The fiery red accents give it a bold, modern edge. And I love the thoughtful addition of the translucent red stick for poking and removing blocks. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.cowtrees.au/educational-toys/720-passtah.html

Enjoy the video! 

Swipee, by Swipee - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Card game

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Anyone who loves fast-paced game with hints of strategy!

If you love card games, you’ve got to check this out! Swipee is our latest obsession - fast-paced, addictive, and completely unstoppable. What’s more - the game was invented by three Australian kids in a Year 5 classroom, and since then, the game has grown far and beyond! 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Swap, Trade, Or Discard - Clear All Cards To Win!

To play - each player lays out a 3×3 grid of cards, and on their turn, they can move one card — either by swapping it horizontally or vertically within their grid, or by trading with an opponent. The other player can refuse a trade unless it gives both players exactly 3 of the same cards. Players can also discard unwanted cards to the discard pile and draw new ones. But watch out - your opponent can also take from the discard pile if they think it’ll help their hand! The aim is to line up three identical cards in a row or column, clearing those cards from your grid. The first player to clear all their cards wins.

(2) Wild Cards To Shake Things Up

No great card game is complete without a few wild cards to shake things up. Swipee includes several special cards. The Rainbow Card can transform into any Character card, but once a character is chosen, it stays that way for the rest of the game — so choose wisely! Then there are the Steal Cards (our favourite), which let you snatch a card from another player’s layout. And finally, the dreaded Wipeout Card — it clears an entire row or column from your grid, forcing you to draw three new cards from the pile. It can flip your strategy in an instant!

(3) Every Move Matters - Great Balance Between Luck vs Strategy

Swipee strikes a great balance between luck and strategy. Every move matters! You don’t want to give away a card your opponent needs, but sometimes you have no choice. The character you choose for your Rainbow Card will define your path of the match. Timing and observation are everything. It’s simple enough for kids to grasp, yet full of clever decision-making that keeps things exciting

(4) Cute Emoji Graphics

We love the cute emoji graphics! We can’t help but laugh when the smiley poo 💩 shows up, and the heart-eyes 😍, sleepy 😴, dizzy 😵, robot 🤖, and cool 😎 emojis are instant favourites. Plus, all the cards come neatly packed and perfectly sized for travel.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://swipeegames.com/store/swipee-original-edition/

Enjoy the video! 

Landmarks, By Floodgate Games - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Board game

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     10 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids/ Adults that enjoy wordplay / word-games 

Wordplay goes wild in Landmarks, a clever and captivating game from Floodgate Games that turns language into survival tool. Big thanks to Let's Play Games for sending us a copy to explore!

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Game With Strategic One-Word Clues

In Landmarks, one player becomes the Guide, secretly studying a map filled with treasures, traps, curses, and exit. Using a trio of starting words—like Sandwich, Friend, and Eye—the Guide writes strategic one-word clues to lead the team across the terrain. Want to target just Eye? Try Glasses. Aiming for both Eye and Sandwich? Roll might do the trick (eye-roll, sandwich roll—get it?). The Explorers then debate, discuss, and place a tile where they think the clue leads. Each choice reveals what the team stumbled into, with the ultimate goal being to snag treasure and escape the island alive. 

(2) Water Wells, Traps, & Curses

Landmarks is full of twists and turns. Run out of tiles, and it’s game over! Thankfully, water wells can restock your supply. Traps shrink your tile count permanently, while curses add tricky conditions—like needing to find an amulet before you can escape. But pick up a second curse in the same round, and you’re doomed. Add to that the chaotic minds of your teammates, who will absolutely interpret your clue in the weirdest way, and you’ve got a game full of surprising detours and laugh-out-loud moments.

(3) Competitive Team-vs.-Team Mode

Landmarks also packs a punch with a competitive team-vs.-team mode. In this variant—no traps, no water wells, no tile limits. Instead, two teams face off using the same map, racing to collect four treasures first. Each team has their own coloured loot to chase (plus a couple of shared treasures up for grabs), and clue-givers take turns crafting hints to steer their squad to victory—while dodging curses and accidentally helping the other side. 

(4) Solid & Well-Designed Components

The game unfolds on a beautifully illustrated cloth map, with a more minimal version on the flip side. The dry-erase landmark tiles are satisfyingly reusable, the tracker board and card stander feel solid, and the box insert keeps everything neatly in place. With 150 map cards and 37 chunky tiles, Landmarks looks and feels as smart as it plays. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.m-g.com.au/product/landmarks/

Find your local game stores here: https://www.localgamestores.com.au/

Enjoy the video! 

Star Wars: Super Teams, By Zygomatic Games - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Board game/ tabletop game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Star Wars fans + board game lovers 

Got a young Star Wars fan at home? Star Wars: Super Teams from Zygomatic Games strikes the perfect balance between luck and light strategy - fun, fast, and family-friendly! Thanks to Asmodee Australia/ VR Distribution for the review copy!

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Perfect Board Game For A Star Wars Fan!

It’s Star Wars in a board game - what’s not to love? Easy to learn, quick to play, and full of light strategy. You’ll race your ships along a colourful space track - going solo in 2–3 player games, or teaming up for a 4-player battle! On your turn, play a card to move a ship. Twist: the colour might not match your own - meaning you could help someone else speed ahead (or send them straight into trouble!). The goal? Get all your ships across the finish line first. Simple? But not that simple!

(2) Mix Of Choices & Chaos

Each turn’s a mix of choices and chaos - do you race ahead or steer your rivals into trouble? You can send opponents into asteroid fields to slow them down, or “Maw Space” to push them backwards, or onto longer routes, while your own ships zip through hyperspace lanes! Bonus cards add even more excitement, letting you dodge hazards or power up your moves. It’s easy to learn but full of smart decisions — perfect for helping younger players think tactically, plan ahead, and weigh risks, all while having a blast outmanoeuvring their rivals like true Jedi strategists.

(3) 8 Chunky Little Starships

The game comes with eight chunky little starships — including the Millennium Falcon (yes, that Han and Chewie ship!), X-Wing, Death Star, Star Destroyer, Jedi Starfighter and more. They’re proper mini toys in their own right, giving the game instant toy-box appeal. Our kids loved picking their favourites - especially after just finishing all the Star Wars movies recently!

(4) Visual Delight With Well-Designed Components

The board is a winding visual delight - every hazard, shortcut, special space is clear and tempting. The iconography is well designed, simple to read, and there’s just enough variety to keep things appealing without being overwhelming. Component quality is solid: sturdy cards, crisp printing on the board, and a clever box insert that shows off the ships through the cover. It all comes together to reinforce the Star Wars theme in a fun way. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/star-wars-super-teams-board-game

https://www.gameology.com.au/products/star-wars-super-teams

Enjoy the video! 

Top Trumps Specials: Wednesday, By Winning Moves

Nature / Type:             Card game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  

Recommended age:     6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  The Addams Family/ Wednesday series fans + anyone who love Top Trumps game 

Calling all Wednesday Addams fans! Top Trumps Specials: Wednesday by Winning Moves is here to bring the spooky charm of Nevermore Academy straight to your game table. Perfect for die-hard Addams Family fans, and binge-watchers of the show! 

Why I love ❤️ this: 

(1) Classic Top Trumps With Wednesday Theme 

It’s classic Top Trumps with a wicked Wednesday twist! This deck packs in 30 fan-favourite characters/ locations - from the sharp-witted Wednesday herself to bubbly Enid and, of course, the ever-loyal Thing. Battle it out across creepy-cool categories like Macabre, Clever, Loyal, and Powerful to see who really rules Nevermore. Gameplay is simple: shuffle, deal, and compare stats - highest score wins the round and claims the cards. Keep going until one player has the whole deck… or play the quick ‘discard rule’ version for a speedier showdown. Either way, it’s frightfully fun. 

(2) Featuring Your Favourite Wednesday Series Characters

This spooky stack features icons like Wednesday Addams herself (scoring a perfect 100% Top Trump Rating!), and scarier picks like the Hyde, plus key season one figures - Goody Addams with her ghostly pigtails and piercing stare, the well-meaning but low-scoring Dr. Kinbott, and Garrett Gates, descendant of Crackstone and sworn enemy of outcasts. It’s a gothic mix of charm, wit, and menace… though fair warning: this deck only covers season one. So if you’re looking for Agnes DeMille, Grandmama Hester Frump, or the zombie siblings Francoise and Isaac Night, you won’t find them lurking here. 

(3) Mini Fact File + Juicy Trivia

Top Trumps isn’t just about numbers - each card doubles as a mini fact file. You’ll uncover juicy trivia like Bianca Barclay’s siren powers, Uncle Fester’s delightfully criminal antics, and the dark history of the Hyde (did you know Hydes were banned from Nevermore 30 years ago after one killed the school’s founder, Nathaniel Faulkner?). With fun facts packed into every card, it’s a collectible that fans will love to read, argue over, and proudly show off.

(4) Portable & Travel-Easy

Packaged in a handy plastic case, this deck is ready to travel wherever you go. Whether it’s a road trip, a sleepover, or just a quick game on the go, this game makes it easy to deal out the fun anytime, anywhere.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Check out also my review on: 

• Cluedo: Wednesday, By Winning Moves

Where to buy this: 

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/top-trumps-wednesday-card-game

https://www.ebgames.com.au/product/toys-and-collectibles/319701-netflix-wednesday-top-trumps-special-card-game

Enjoy the video! 

Nature Challenge - Cats, By Bioviva - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Card game

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Cat lovers + those who enjoy classic Top Trumps game. 

I recently reviewed “Nature Challenge – Dogs” by Bioviva - an absolute treat for dog lovers! Do we have anything for cat-lovers, you asked? We absolutely do! Behold - this is “Nature Challenge - Cats” - the ultimate must for any feline fans! A big thanks to Divisible by Zero for providing a copy!

Why I ❤️ it: 

(1) Top Trumps Game Featuring Adorable CATS!

Each card features a different cat breed, complete with stats like weight, cuddliness, independence, and date of appearance. Gameplay is similar to Top Trumps, but with a cuter, furrier twist! Players take turns choosing a stat from the top card in their hand—then everyone reveals their top card, and the highest (or best) value wins the round and claims all the revealed cards. In the case of a tie, players compare their cats’ rarity level, indicated by the colored disk at the top-left of the card. The goal? Be the first to collect the entire deck! Along the way, you’ll pick up quirky and fascinating feline facts - like the compact Korat, which weighs just 2.5 kg, or that the Egyptian Mau scores the lowest on the independence scale (just 1!), while LaPerm ranks highest for cuddliness with a perfect 10.

(2) Learn Rarity Of Breeds & Earn Special Powers

Each card is color-coded to indicate how rare the breed is: green for common, yellow for uncommon, orange for rare, and red for very rare. And here’s the twist - rarer cats come with special powers - you get to change the battle category mid-round. Did you know the wrinkly-skinned Donskoy is one of the rarest breeds in the deck? Or that the famously furless Sphynx scores a 10 in cuddliness and is also marked with a red rarity icon? 

(3) Fun Facts of CATS + Super Cute Photos

Each card also features a fun fact about the breed - Did you know the British Shorthair nearly vanished due to famine during World War I? Or that the Ragdoll gets its name because it goes completely limp when picked up? As for the photos? They’re absolutely heart-melting—just look into the soulful eyes of the majestic Norwegian Forest Cat.

(4) Compact & Travel-Friendly

Compact and travel-friendly, this game is easy to take on the go—and it’s eco-friendly too! True to Bioviva’s values, it’s made with FSC-certified materials, vegetable-based inks, and sustainably sourced paper.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.cowtrees.au/educational-toys/25-nature-challenge-cats.html

https://www.dragonflytoys.com.au/products/nature-challenge-cats-card-game

Enjoy the video! 

WordScout Wiz, By Families Play Forever - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Card game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  

Recommended age:     7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Word game/ Scrabble lovers 

Fast-paced, fun, and perfect for the whole family - WordScout Wiz from Families Play Forever is a card game that keeps everyone on their toes. Big thanks to Divisible by Zero for providing a copy to try out!

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Word Game Without Tiles or Big Board

Think Scrabble, but way faster - no tiles, no big board, and no waiting forever for someone to think of a seven-letter word. You’ll be using shorter words with just your letter cards. The game comes with 85 letter cards: each player starts with 5 cards, 10 cards go face-up as a stock pile, and the rest form a draw pile. On your turn, you try to build a word using your hand plus the top stock card. If you succeed, you get to keep all the letters from that word. Draw a card when turn ends. Play continues until the last stock card is used. Whoever collects the most cards that round wins. First player to snag 3 rounds is the overall champ. Best part? Each game only takes about 5–10 minutes, so it’s super easy to play again (and again!).

(2) Twists & Rules To keep Things Interesting

There are a few twists to keep things interesting. For starters, no two-letter words - every word has to be at least three letters long. Need new cards? You can swap them out, but only at a 2-for-1 deal. And the real game-changer? Wild Cards! Some cover a whole range like ‘A–M’ or ‘N–Z,’ and others are fully wild, ready to stand in for any letter you need.

(3) 10 Rule Variants

But wait - there’s more! The set comes with 10 fun rule variants to shake things up. Try ‘Elite Wiz,’ where only longer words of 4 or more letters count (no quick 3-letter wins here!). Or mix it up with ‘Vowel Wiz,’ which requires at least two vowels, and ‘Consonant Wiz,’ which pushes you to pack in 3 or 4 consonants. My favorite? ‘Kids vs. Adults Wiz’ - kids just need 3-letter words, while adults have to stretch to 4 or more (a sneaky way to even the playing field!). For an extra challenge, go with ‘Category Wiz,’ where your words must fit into a chosen theme like animals, places, or foods.

(4) Compact Pack For On-The-Go Play

The cards come in a bright, compact pack that’s easy to toss in a bag - making this a perfect travel buddy. Way more portable than Scrabble, it’s a convenient pick for any word-game fan on the go. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.cowtrees.au/games/475-wordscout-wiz.html (Australia) 

Check out more reviews of games from Families Play Forever: 

• 4 To Win, By Families Play Forever 
• Speedomino, By Families Play Forever

Enjoy the video! 

Nekojima, By Unfriendly Games - REVIEW

 Nature / Type:             Board game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids / adults that enjoy dexterity games 

Nekojima from Unfriendly Games - I’m a sucker for a good dexterity game, especially when it’s as adorable as this one! Bright, colourful, packed with charm, it doesn’t just play well - it looks amazing on the table too. Thank you Let's Play Games for providing a copy for review. 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Dexterity Game Inspired By Japan's Cat Islands

Nekojima is a 1–5 player dexterity game inspired by Japan’s cat islands. On your turn, you roll two dice to see which districts you’ll be building in, then draw a cube from the bag to decide the colour (and length!) of the string between your wooden poles — the Denchuus. Place them carefully in the matching quadrants: poles can stack on top of others, but the string can’t touch the board, other strings, or wrap around the poles. To spice things up, sometimes you’ll pull a black cube - which means a cat must be hung from the wires, either by you or by a rival player depending on the mode. Play solo, cooperatively, or competitively; in co-op you’ll climb levels together, while in competitive there’s just one unlucky loser and everyone else gets bragging rights.

(2) Challenging - Different Pole Lengths / Cable Sizes/ Cats Of Varying Poses 

Nekojima isn’t just cute chaos. Different pole lengths, cable sizes, and cat shapes keep every placement unpredictable. At first it feels easy, but soon you’re weaving a wild web of wires, balancing poles on top of each other, and fighting against cords that never sit quite where you want them. Add in cats of varying poses (some much trickier to hang than others) and even a few fun variants like bird nests that cap your stacks, and suddenly this ‘simple’ game feels like a high-wire act!

(3) Adorable Cats With Colourful Table-Top Appearance

Theme-wise, Nekojima nails it. The cats are adorable, and we love the tangle of colourful strings stretched between wobbling poles. It looks fantastic on the table and the whole balancing act fits perfectly with the quirky ‘cat island’ vibe.

(4) Solid, Durable, GREAT Components

The wooden poles are solid and satisfying to handle, the cords are thick and durable, and the circular board is sturdy with clear quadrant divisions. Even the wooden cubes and custom dice have a nice weight to them, while the chunky cardboard cats add a playful touch. Everything in the box feels well-made and built to last - exactly what you want in a dexterity game.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesworld.com.au/product/nekojima-board-game/

Find your local game stores here: https://www.localgamestores.com.au/

Enjoy the video!