Top Xmas Toys and Games
Cobra Paw: Quick Reflexes Needed for This Ninja Style Domino Game
From the makers of the maddeningly addictive Dobble, Cobra Paw is another chunkier, cardless version, but with bigger components than playing cards. Players take turn to roll the dice, which feature six unique symbols, then race to grab the tile with the matching pattern before anyone else. Whoever grabs six tiles first wins, but the rules are of possession can be shortlived. Players can even grab the other player's dominos on the sly, This is such a simple format but one that works because it doesn't demand set up and an HGV load of instructions.
Nerf Guns Go All Laser Tag with Double the Fun
Anyone who remembers laser tag must think it's a great dry way of playing paintball indoors. Nerf's new toys let you play it anywhere thanks to some clever smartphone accessories. The Nerf Laser Ops Pro 2-Pack is a handy gift for two fighting siblings who need a healthy and non-messy kind of vengeance. Players are also able to ramp up their armoury via armbands which can be attached via a mobile device.
The accuracy and hit detection are better, although the volume on the sound effects could be a bit of a stress for elders in charge of the other remote controls in the house. When the blasters are connected to the mobile app, there’s stat and performance tracking which takes out any arguments over who is the best warrior. There really isn't much to miss (apart from your enemy). Those Nerf darts really can be kept in the cupboard for once as this is clean all-out war.
Match Attax Ultimate Marches on to the Xmas Pitch
Match Attax has been the most successful football trading card game in the world and the annual tours across the country from Stamford Bridge to Dublin are always awash with parents appearing as excited as their children. To keep things as fresh as a substitute, there is now Match AttaxUltimate, a new collection for super fans. This 100% foil set features the best Premier League players and bonus extras such as autographs and player memorabilia which is a fantastic bonus to the normal limited edition cards in standard sized packs.
Each pack contains 15 brand new foil Match Attax cards, and the lucky packs could include an autographed card from club greats like Sergio Aguero or Eden Hazard. Fans are also in with a chance of finding shirt cards which contain an actual worn piece of a Premier League player’s shirt. The mind boggles. What next? A piece of the Wembley turf?
This 100% foil set features the best Premier League players and bonus extras such as autographs and player memorabilia – it’s the perfect gift for football fans of all ages this Christmas.
There are 150 Ultimate cards to collect, all categorised as regular, captain or one club player.
The Growth of Board Games like Ticket to Ride
Despite living in a world of technology, the world of board-gaming is booming. Why, there's even a Monopoly version of Fortnite this Christmas
A recent survey (that monitored around 70% of the UK toy trade) recorded a 20% rise in the sales of tabletop games. The appeal of fantasy games that used to be the domain of what was considered the "geekier" customer now enjoys more of a crossover audience.
Ticket to Ride: Europe is the sequel to the popular original Ticket to Ride. It keeps the heart and fast pace of what is essentially a train adventure game. It also brings three brand new elements to the table - ferries, train stations and tunnels. In the age of Brexit, never has this concept seemed so much fun and totally disproves the theory that board games are for grizzled veterans. This is playable for ages eight and upwards.
