Connect it up (Hasbro Connect 4)

Member Name: kiwiii85

Product:	Hasbro Connect 4
Date:	23/02/09 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy rules, quick setup, simple to play

Disadvantages: None

Connect 4 is a game of strategy that anyone can play and enjoy. It has been around for years and the fact it is still marketed today speaks volumes.

~~ The Game ~~

The board itself is made from blue plastic that has 42 holes running through it. At the top of the board are 6 slots wide enough to insert the plastic circular pieces that come with the game. At the bottom of the blue plastic there is a flap so you can easily empty the board after you have finished playing. There are 21 red pieces and 21 yellow pieces so each player has their own colour and there is no confusion.

~~ Aim of the Game ~~

The aim of the game is to get four of your pieces in a row before your opponent does. This can be horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

~~ Playing ~~

Play starts by the first player dropping one of their pieces into the board and then the second player will drop their piece into it. This is where strategy comes into play as you have to predict a route you can use and be aware of what your opponent is doing so you can attempt to block any 4 in a row they may make. Play ends when a player gets 4 or more in a row.

~~ Entertainment Value ~~

This game can provide hours of entertainment and it can be very frustrating if you're playing with someone that is more strategically minded than yourself. The rules were very easy to understand and they don't take hours to learn unlike some games. The game only lasts about 10 minutes but that just means you can fit more games into a short period of time.

I've played this with children and adults and I have to say i prefer playing it with the children. An adult game can be very strategic and we would often end up filling the board with no winner. With a child, there is usually a winner every time and you would be surprised by how many times you lose!

~~ Twists ~~

We usually play this game differently and instead of ending the game when someone gets a line of 4, we carry on playing and see who manages to get the most rows. This means the game lasts longer and there's a chance for someone who has a less strategic mind to win.

~~ Age Recommendation ~~

The recommended age is 6+ but i don't see why a younger child couldn't play this. I've played this with my nephew since he was 4 and he has managed fine and oftens beats me! He doesn't play with a high skill level, but it doesn't make the game any less enjoyable.

~~ Value for Money ~~

We bought our game a long time ago and i've no idea how much we paid for it at the time. However, I would pay upto £10 for this as it's a long lasting game that you can take out and put away for years without getting bored.

~~ My Opinion ~~

My nephew loves this game and we can spend hours playing it. I must admit that I don't love it as much as he does but it doesn't mean I don't enjoy it. The rules are simple, setting up takes seconds and a strategic game never gets boring. We play this a couple of times a week so we've definitely got our moneys worth. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

Summary: I would definitely recommend this to everyone who loves a board game