Shall we discuss? JAMAICA

What about Formula Dè?

Hmm...yeah, that's one I haven't thought about in a while...the last time I had it was the Mini version, any thoughts on the Formula D re-release? I liked Mini, I thought it did some nice streamlining.

There's always good old Speed Circuit too, always a classic.

I still have it after several years, and my girls and I played it several times. It's fun, but pretty random. There's sort of the illusion that you have tactical choices, but it's pretty arbitrary, especially with the chaos of more players. The 2 player version (which includes a dummy ship) is actually the most strategic, where your choices are a little more meaningful. But it's a fun light game, regardless.

Michael Barnes wrote: Hmm...yeah, that's one I haven't thought about in a while...the last time I had it was the Mini version, any thoughts on the Formula D re-release? I liked Mini, I thought it did some nice streamlining.

There's always good old Speed Circuit too, always a classic.

Not sure if you're looking at this for potential "all-family play" or not, but I'm assuming you are...

Stick with Mini. New version is nice, and the plastic dashboards are handy--particularly if you have a group that has some sort of aversion to pencil and paper book-keeping, but it's basically a case of "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." In a box 3x the size it would have needed to be without the damned things.

The simple fact that Mini's footprint is 1/8th that of either the original or the remaster is more than enough to recommend it. What I recall of the rules streamlining was better for anyone to pick up and play.

If you go Kramer, Daytona 500 is still a very good answer IMO. Milton Bradley does know how to make a game work for all ages.


[Once your kids are a little older, Circus Imperium [FASA] or the classic Circus Maximus [TAHGC] might be worth a look. But both are definitely truly old school from a graphics perspective. But still present one of the best gaming experience you can have IMO. Age range is probably 8 or 9+, though, for age--particularly the FASA title as it can get bloody in a hurry. And, of course, there's the Really Nasty Horse Racing Game...]

Michael Barnes wrote: Hmm...yeah, that's one I haven't thought about in a while...the last time I had it was the Mini version, any thoughts on the Formula D re-release? I liked Mini, I thought it did some nice streamlining.

There's always good old Speed Circuit too, always a classic.

The new edition is the one I have, it's cool, it's got 3d gear boxes (think Claustrophobia)I don't think they changed much from the older edition other than the art and the tracks in the box. There are several modes you can play which offer different levels of complexity, and of course, this game supports league play if you buy a couple expansion boards.

Edit: yeah, the box is about the size of Descent 2nd ed.

Eek, that comment just put me off it. Definitely not what I am after.

I see that Up the River has a new space theme...and is $14. Probably getting that.

Capt'n Clever for $5 on BGG marketplace - sold!

Oh no...we kind of have the "but I wanted to win" thing going on right now...

It does seem like Thunder Road.

Formula De Mini is the D basic rules with a couple extra things. You can easily leave stuff out of the rules to accommodate younger kids. You can also play any ruleset with it if you don't mind printing some dashboards and stuff. It has big plastic coins instead of a gearbox, which may be easier to handle.

Jeff White wrote:

Michael Barnes wrote: They like races, they like pirates, and it's such a good looking game.

Never played Pirate's Cove, but is it good for kids/families? Hey, we like Ticket to Ride and Zooloretto.

Pirate's Cove is probably a little more complex than either Ticket to Ride or Zooloretto. Combat can get somewhat involved once you get into the cards and modifiers and special powers.

It's an okay game, but I got frustrated with it after a couple of plays. You eventually discover that the winner is inevitably the guy who avoids combat. You can spend turns pimping your ship out, then get into a fight, lose, and then you're totally boned. The game is only 12 turns long, so you never get a chance to recover. You're better of avoiding combat altogether. What the fuck kind of pirate game rewards NOT fighting?!?

We enjoyed Pirate's Cove a lot more with this negotiation variant , but we ultimately sold/traded it anyway. For a negotiation/trading/competitive family game I'd rather play Settlers, and for a pirate game I'll take Merchants and Marauders.

I totally forgot about A La Carte...hopefully it's not another OOP, Amazon seller listing at $199 things...

How did this thread turn into me spending a bunch of money?

THANKS OBAMA