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A hilarious game of word association. Great for groups of all ages!
<p><strong>Toy Description</strong></p> <p>Apples to Apples consist of two types of cards: green cards are printed with a description while red cards are printed with a noun. The number of cards in the box depends on the edition. The box shown here has just over 1,000 cards in total.</p> <p><strong>Play</strong></p> <p>Players take turn being the Judge. Drawing a green descriptive card, the Judge waits for the other players to play one of their red cards. The last player to get their red card onto the table has to take back that card, thus skipping this turn.</p> <p>Out of the red cards played, the Judge chooses the card they think best matches the green description card.</p> <p>For example, if the Judge plays a card with the description of Scary, the players must choose one of their red cards that is scary. So if the players throw down red cards that say &lsquo;Tornadoes,&rsquo; &lsquo;Spiders,&rsquo; &lsquo;Clowns,&rsquo; and &lsquo;Grandma,&rsquo; the Judge now has to choose which card they like best. Some Judges will choose what is literally the scariest, and some Judges will choose the card that makes them laugh the most. The player whose red card is chosen by the Judge gets to keep the green card. The player who collects the most green cards wins.</p> <p>The role of Judge is then passed to the next player, and the game continues.</p> <p><strong>Observations</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;The most commonly beloved aspect of this game is how socially engaging it is. Even without making strange or unexpected word combinations, some of the cards just get people talking. The card for &ldquo;My First Kiss&rdquo; can lead to some amusing stories, and the card &ldquo;Regis Philbin&rdquo; seems to be a favorite card for those who remember the 90&rsquo;s.</p> <p>Users report almost all ages enjoying this game. Many report this being a favorite game at family gatherings. Very young children may need help reading or understanding certain words.&nbsp;</p> <p>Criticism for this game comes rarely, but when it does, it often revolves around the game&rsquo;s subjectivity. Because the Judge is allowed to choose whichever red card strikes their fancy, some people think this game does not have solid enough rules, making it difficult to strategize a winning victory. We would like to point out that winning can take on more forms than just gaining more points than other players.</p> <p>The value of a game like this is that gaining points is not where the enjoyment lies. Opportunities to talk, laugh, draw in members who do not normally play games, and spark conversations that may not take place otherwise is what this game delivers. In order to really enjoy this game, players must not take themselves or the game too seriously.</p> <p><strong>Care</strong></p> <ul> <li>Avoid liquid spills</li> <li>Cards fit back into box, though expansion packs may require a larger container to accommodate all cards</li> </ul> <p>For more in-depth information on how to clean this type of toy, please see our blog, <a href="/Blogs1/The-Cleaning-Guide-for-Toys.htm" linktype="8" target="_self">The Cleaning Guide for Toys</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Parts and Pieces</strong></p> <p>Expansion packs can be purchased, such as the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CHOPEBW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00CHOPEBW&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=toti08-20&amp;linkId=JKF467Y7XYVPDFLU" linktype="3" target="_blank">Trendy Expansion</a>, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8Z8RPW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00F8Z8RPW&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=toti08-20&amp;linkId=NB3DUMOLSHSBIUYD" linktype="3" target="_blank">Adventurous Expansion</a>, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IVLIW32/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00IVLIW32&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=toti08-20&amp;linkId=VIXVM3BUJQH3TNA3" linktype="3" target="_blank">1980&#39;s Expansion</a>, or the 500+ card <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006GD9M4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0006GD9M4&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=toti08-20&amp;linkId=WN6IOBG5PXF2C6H7" linktype="3" target="_blank">Party Box Expansion</a>.</p> <p>We&#39;ve noticed that a few users have found the content in the expansion packs to be slightly more PG-13 than the Family Edition box set.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Concerns</strong></p> <p>Those concerned about any content they find questionable for young children may be interested in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00112CHCK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00112CHCK&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=toti08-20&amp;linkId=3GY5NKWRVDH4OIR6" linktype="3" target="_blank">Family Edition</a>.&nbsp;</p>
Apples to Apples Party Box
Date published: 2016-02-18
9.50 / 10 stars

Apples to Apples Party Box

by Mattel
current stage2016-02-18

Fast paced and easy to learn, this card game lets people create unexpected word comparisons that can be hilarious or absurd. Enjoyed by a wide range of ages, Apples to Apples is a classic game for parties or family gatherings.

Garnishing much love from players, this game is best enjoyed when players are willing to laugh. Those that prefer a focus on competition and collecting points may not find this game to their liking. 

  • Apples to Apples Party Box - The Game of Crazy Combinations (Includes New Updated Content)
  • Apples to Apples Party Box - The Game of Crazy Combinations (Includes New Updated Content)
  • Apples to Apples Party Box - The Game of Crazy Combinations (Includes New Updated Content)
Apples to Apples Party Box - The Game of Crazy Combinations (Includes New Updated Content)
Overall9.50
This measure how often, for how long, and how many different ages will play with this toy. A great toy will be loved for years, and is still wanted as the child grows.
Replay
  • 9.00
 
This measures the quality of the materials and production processes used.
Quality
  • 9.00
 
This scores how well a toy encourages critical thinking, pattern recognition, and memory improvement.
Cognitive
  • 8.00
 
Including both gross and fine motor skills, this measure how much this toy engages and challenges physical mobility, body awareness, and coordination.
Motor
  • 1.00
 
This measures how likely a toy is to spark social play between children or how well it teaches socially healthy behavior.
Social
  • 10.00
 

Product Specs

Age 10+
Made in China
Recalls No
Batteries None
Materials Cardstock
Choking Hazard No
Date Reviewed 01/19/2016

Where to Buy

Amazon $29.99
Pros
  • Great opportunities to laugh and spark conversation
  • Great for a wide range of ages
  • Easy to learn
  • Easy set-up
Cons
  • Subjective gameplay may not be to everyone’s liking
Detailed Review

Toy Description

Apples to Apples consist of two types of cards: green cards are printed with a description while red cards are printed with a noun. The number of cards in the box depends on the edition. The box shown here has just over 1,000 cards in total.

Play

Players take turn being the Judge. Drawing a green descriptive card, the Judge waits for the other players to play one of their red cards. The last player to get their red card onto the table has to take back that card, thus skipping this turn.

Out of the red cards played, the Judge chooses the card they think best matches the green description card.

For example, if the Judge plays a card with the description of Scary, the players must choose one of their red cards that is scary. So if the players throw down red cards that say ‘Tornadoes,’ ‘Spiders,’ ‘Clowns,’ and ‘Grandma,’ the Judge now has to choose which card they like best. Some Judges will choose what is literally the scariest, and some Judges will choose the card that makes them laugh the most. The player whose red card is chosen by the Judge gets to keep the green card. The player who collects the most green cards wins.

The role of Judge is then passed to the next player, and the game continues.

Observations

 The most commonly beloved aspect of this game is how socially engaging it is. Even without making strange or unexpected word combinations, some of the cards just get people talking. The card for “My First Kiss” can lead to some amusing stories, and the card “Regis Philbin” seems to be a favorite card for those who remember the 90’s.

Users report almost all ages enjoying this game. Many report this being a favorite game at family gatherings. Very young children may need help reading or understanding certain words. 

Criticism for this game comes rarely, but when it does, it often revolves around the game’s subjectivity. Because the Judge is allowed to choose whichever red card strikes their fancy, some people think this game does not have solid enough rules, making it difficult to strategize a winning victory. We would like to point out that winning can take on more forms than just gaining more points than other players.

The value of a game like this is that gaining points is not where the enjoyment lies. Opportunities to talk, laugh, draw in members who do not normally play games, and spark conversations that may not take place otherwise is what this game delivers. In order to really enjoy this game, players must not take themselves or the game too seriously.

Care

  • Avoid liquid spills
  • Cards fit back into box, though expansion packs may require a larger container to accommodate all cards

For more in-depth information on how to clean this type of toy, please see our blog, The Cleaning Guide for Toys.  

Parts and Pieces

Expansion packs can be purchased, such as the Trendy Expansion, the Adventurous Expansion, the 1980's Expansion, or the 500+ card Party Box Expansion.

We've noticed that a few users have found the content in the expansion packs to be slightly more PG-13 than the Family Edition box set. 

Concerns

Those concerned about any content they find questionable for young children may be interested in the Family Edition

Manufacturer's Description

Apples to Apples is the game of hilarious comparisons. It's as easy as comparing apples to apples just open the box, deal the cards, and you're ready to play. Select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the judge.

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