Boggle: Fun, Quick, and Dangerously Addictive!
Written: Feb 06 '03
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Pros: Quick setup, quick play, compact game size, easy to learn & play
Cons: I'd prefer a timer that rings/buzzes, shaking the letters is jarring
The Bottom Line: This is such a great game to share with others- fast setup, quick play, easy to learn, compact, portable, and durable.
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| Javelina's Full Review: Parker Brothers Boggle |
I had an old travel version of Boggle as a child. Unfortunately, I never tried it. I’m glad I came across this game again, because I would be missing out!
Components of the Game
There aren’t many materials that go into this game. There are 16 letter cubes, a grid, dome for the grid, and a timer. All of this comes in a box, complete with a sheet of instructions.
The only thing that you need to supply is your own paper and writing implements.
How to Play
Boggle is not difficult to learn or play, at all! You simply shake the grid with the dome on, and then allow the cubes to fall into the grid. Once the cubes are all laying flat, you start the timer.
The goal of the play is to get as many words as you can from the grid in three minutes. You can go both in straight lines as well as diagonally. The only stipulation is that you cannot use one letter more than once in one word.
At the end of three minutes, you tally up the words that you got, scoring points for each word that no one else got. The more letters per word, the more points.
What I Love About This Game
This is a fairly compact game, which is durable as well. Boggle is perfect to bring on trips, and fits easily into a backpack or whatnot. The timer even fits into the dome and grid, although I would recommend putting a rubber band around the game (or putting the game in a bag (or just put the letter cubes and timer in a little baggie). I really like this small size, and no need for a large board, etc.
Game setup is quick and easy. It doesn’t get easier than simply shaking the box, letting the pieces settle, and you’re set!
This game is very easy to learn. I am excited to share this game with others. It’s nice to know I can, for example, bring this game with me when I go camping, and that this game can be played by essentially anyone.
Boggle can be played by a variety of ages. It is always nice to have a game that includes a range of people. The instructions suggest this game for ages 8 and up.
This is a quick-paced game, and the three minute timer flies by. This is no monopoly, and you can play over and over as short or long a time period as you choose. You could even squeeze in a game during a TV commercial break. You don’t need a particularly long attention span to play Boggle, and if you find your concentration starting to wander, then you can just end the game whenever.
We usually learn some new words during the game. Sometimes these words have to be double-checked with the dictionary, but it’s great to learn some new vocabulary. In addition, it helps out with making sure you have the correct spelling of words, as the players correct each other.
The game is fun. It is really interesting to see what other words people come up with. I find it amazing how wide of a range of words can be found, and how different people’s words can be. There is plenty of enjoyment in this game, and we find ourselves laughing over answers, incredulity over words, and the curiosity of varying word lists.
Lastly, this game is inexpensive! There are so many games out there (other than card games) that are $20 and upward, which can start to be expensive. (Not to mention that I have a shelf full of large boxes, whereas Boggle is nice and compact!)
My Dislikes
I can barely say that I have any true dislikes of this game. However, there are some “less wonderful” qualities of Boggle.
The first is that this game is noisy when you shake the letter cubes. The sound of the cubes jangling around in the dome tends to jar one’s nerves. As annoying as this can get, I don’t really see how this could be changed.
In addition, the cubes cause the inside of the dome to get scratched up. This really has no bearing on the game, since it doesn’t matter if the dome remains clear.
Probably the only irritation I have with this game is that the pieces take some convincing to settle into the grid. There always seem to be a few cubes that are resting on a corner, requiring you to shake the grid until they lay flat. Sometimes we get a little frustrated and just push the cubes into the grid, which doesn’t really let random nature take its course, but at least the game is ready to go!
One other thing that bothers me a little bit is having to watch the timer. It is a simple sand timer, and I feel like I waste some time and lose some concentration by keeping an eye on the timer. Sometimes we’re so absorbed in the game that we don’t even notice that the timer has run out. I would prefer something that clicks or buzzes when the time is up. (I wouldn’t want something like my Scattergories game, which buzzes the entire time, then clicks, drawing from my attention!) But I am very tempted to use a digital timer from the kitchen when we play Boggle! It is inevitable that I will find a timer to use with this game, so that I’m not distracted by checking the time left.
Suggestions
There really isn’t much strategy to this game, but I have a few suggestions. For starters, make sure that you’re holding the grid to the dome tightly; otherwise you might end up spraying letter cubes all over the place!
In terms of strategy, sometimes it helps to concentrate on a starting letter and examine all the combinations of that letter.
Also, make sure you have a decent writing implement, because you’ll be swearing up a storm if your pen runs out or whatnot (speaking from experience!)
I also like to have a dictionary nearby, because it gets easy to start making up words. This way you can double check on those words. There were some words that kept appearing over and over that we weren’t sure of, and once we checked them, there was no more confusion. It was also interesting to double-check some words and know that they are true words, as well as to know their definitions.
Price & Where to Find
I didn’t purchase this game, but the box we found was marked $12.99. This is a great price, and I see myself buying this as a gift for others. Like I mentioned earlier, it is nice to find a game that isn’t too expensive.
Boggle can be purchased online from several merchants (see below), or at various stores. I have seen it at Wal-mart, and I’m sure stores like Toys ‘R Us carry this game.
Overall
I love this game. Boggle is incredibly versatile. I can play it just about anywhere, with just about anyone. There is easy setup and easy play, and you can play a round of Boggle for under 5 minutes! I’m looking forward to sharing this game with lots of family and friends!
Definitely 5 stars!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 12.99
Type of Toy: Game
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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