Javelina's Full Review: Milton Bradley Scrabble Brand Crossword Game - the...
A while back, before discovering the Scrabble Game Folio, I had stumbled upon the Deluxe Travel Edition. The game featured a hard, maroon colored plastic case, which folded open to reveal a board. Underneath the board was just enough space for a bag of tiles and letter racks. I was thrilled to find this travel edition, just in time for a trip to the British Virgin Islands.
However, I was recently browsing amongst the games section in Target, and found the Scrabble Game Folio. Immediately, I wanted it, wishing I could replace my current travel version with this newer, sleeker version!
Specs
This Scrabble Game Folio comes in a black, zippered case. It is a canvas type material with a rubbery Scrabble logo stitched on the front. The case is reminiscent of a day-planner or organizer.
You simply unzip the case, and the board folds open. The board has a layer of hard, clear plastic. Each letter spot is molded so that a letter tile can be snapped in.
Under one side of the board, you can store your tile racks (the letters snap in to the racks, and the racks snap in to the back of the board). The racks slide upside down (so as not to reveal player’s letters) into slots that are numbered players 1 through 4. This way, you can pause mid-game and continue where you left off at another point.
Under the other side of the board is enough space to store the bag of letter tiles.
Against the inside of the front of the folio is a pouch with two sections- one for storing a pen, and the other for the instructions and score pad. Now, this is the first time I’ve been provided with a scoring sheet! It makes life so much easier, and it comes in a nice, compact version. (By compact, the scoring sheet is narrow and small).
All the components of the game are available as replacement parts, in case you lose or break them. The Scrabble brochure that came with the game has an order form for everything from tiles to score pads. (You can also go to their website to order). My suggestion on the score pads- when you’re running low, photocopy or scan these in, unless you’d rather just order new ones.
If you aren’t familiar with Scrabble, you can have 2-4 players (or teams), which each get seven letter tiles each. You simply make words and lay them out on the board, but you must interconnect your word into another word that is already on the board. The letters have different point values, and you simply keep track of those points. At the end of the game, you add up the points (also figuring in who ran out of letters first) to figure out who the winner is.
Features
The biggest difference between this folio version and the other travel version are that the letter tiles snap into the board (rather than sitting in molded spots), and also snap into the tile racks. This makes the game completely portable and can be paused at any time. I can’t say I had much trouble with tiles falling off the board in my previous version, because the board was indented to hold each letter. However, this is a definite improvement and allows you to do so much more.
Portability & Versatility
This game is completely self-contained, and is 100% storable. The letter tiles snap to the board or the tile racks, and the loose letters go in a drawstring bag. The racks store confidentially under the board, and the loose papers and pen go into the pouch in the folio. You just close the board and zip up the case, and you’re ready to go.
The size is convenient as well. Folded in half, zipped shut, this game can be easily thrown in a backpack or carried by itself. I can’t say if I would bring this on a backpacking trip, but I would most definitely bring it on camping trips and other travel adventures.
What I love about this version of Scrabble
The first thing that made me want this game- like a kid in a toy store- was its sleek appearance. This Scrabble Game Folio is classy and very grown up. I wouldn’t say that the other versions aren’t a nice reflection on such a quintessential game, but this feels like luxury. I feel like someone really sat down and put thought into designing all aspects of the game to make it the best possible.
Of course, the portability is also a great feature. Sometimes, it’s nice to play a rather casual game of Scrabble. Not everyone always wants to sit down at a table for hours staring at letters and the board. Instead, we start a game and just pass the board around while watching TV or whatnot. Not a problem to lounge on the couch and have the board leaning up against something!
Again, another comparison to the previous version- The paper backing to the game board is actually tightly pressed between two layers of plastic. In my previous travel version, the paper is actually starting to warp and fall away from the front of the clear plastic board (because there’s nothing holding it to the plastic).
I just really like Scrabble. It is such a versatile game, which can be played with a variety of ages and numbers of players.
I think this version helps to make the game play time less of an issue. Instead of worrying that you can’t finish a game, you can go ahead and play, knowing you can pause and save the game at any time. This truly opens up a new realm of game-playing. Imagine if there was a travel version of Monopoly like this?!
Dislikes
Although the game is very nicely designed, some of the tiles are a tight fit. Sometimes it poses a bit of a challenge to get those letter tiles to snap in correctly. In fact, while trying to secure a tile, a letter will sometimes pop out.
The board doesn’t always want to lay flat. This can probably be most attributed to the case being zipped shut for so long. Then, during game play, the case doesn’t always lay quite flat, causing the board to fold just a bit. Usually, we just bend the case backwards a little bit, and then it doesn’t present a problem.
Price & Where to Find
The first time I saw this version was in Target, in the games department. I have seen it some other places, and was lucky to receive this as a gift! I felt silly buying two versions of one game, but I was treated to this rather luxurious game by my sweetie.
The game runs around $15, and I would say it’s a good price.
Websites
http://www.scrabble.com
http://www.hasbro.com
National Scrabble Association: http://www.scrabble-assoc.com
Printable scoring pages: http://www.scrabble-assoc.com/forms/index.html
Overall
I’m absolutely thrilled to have this Scrabble Game Folio Edition. It makes playing this game so much more convenient and fun. I think it adds to the attractiveness of the play, and gives a little something extra to what has been a traditional game. No more worrying about letter tiles sliding around, and no more restrictions on playing time or location.
My Rating
Scrabble is such a great game. I would play this version over any other version, so I’m giving it a 5 out of 5 stars, for the best Scrabble out there!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift Type of Toy: Board Game
Age Range of Child: 9 Years or Older
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