Connect 4 (Hasbro Connect 4)

Member Name: rji0907

Product:	Hasbro Connect 4
Date:	11/08/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great, quick, fun board game

Disadvantages: Pain that you have to set the grid up every time you wish to play

Quite a few of my reviews of late have revolved around childrens board games as is this one, purely because that is what my little one is into at the moment and we have a vast array of games at home which he is learning how to play so I try and do my reviews on such games from my childs perspective as well as my own.

Connect 4 is a board game which has been around for years. I remember playing it myself as a child so its quite nice to see my child playing the same game. The great thing about this game is that it is exactly the same as it was when I used to play it. The manufacturers haven't felt the need to modernise or change the game in order to increase sales - they have just left it as it should be, a simple board game.

The game is to be played by 2 players. Unfortunately this is the maximum amount of players that are able to play this game so is not really a game that can be played by all the family at the same time. However, the game generally doesn't take long to play so other family members can sit and watch and take it in turns to keep other children happy and interested in the game.

There is a blue plastic grid inside the box which needs assembling before the game can begin. The grid has 2 'legs' either side which stablize the grid as it has to stand up and a piece which slots horizontally across the bottom of the grid to stop your counters dropping out.

To being you stand the grid up with the players sitting either side of the grid. The game comes with 2 sets of circular flat counters. One set in red and one in yellow. The players pick which set they want and gather together all the counters in their chosen colour. The aim of the game is to slot your counters into the grid from the top so they drop down into the grid. The aim is to get for of your coloured counters together in a row, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally with your opponent trying to stop you and you trying to stop your opponent doing the same thing by blocking their moves with your own counters.

The first person to get four of their counters in a row is the winner and the game begins again. The manufacturers recommend this game to be for children aged 6+ years but in my opinion it is suitable for children younger than that as I believe it is a good learning curve for younger children (though obviously not babies as you may find them trying to eat the counters!).

I first introduced my son to this game when he was around 4 years old and it didn't take him long to pick up the general gist of the game. I found that he was quite good as finding different ways to connect four of his own colour counters but wasn't quite so good at realising when his opponent was going to get four in a row and trying to stop them - he was more interested in his own colours. In my opinion this game is a good way to introduce the basics of logic into his world.

It is a simple game and can be completed in just a few minutes so you dont find children getting bored with it as you would with longer board games. It teaches them to use their minds but in a fun way which can only be good. It could also be used with toddlers (though under supervision because of the counters) to help with their hand/eye co-ordination by getting them to drop the counters into the slots on the grid.

All in all this traditional game is still a fab game for both kids and adults. It is available for around £7.99 on amazon and can provide hours of fun but in short spurts to keep children interested. Can help with educational needs such as logic and co-ordination but in a fun way.

There is also a giant connect 4 available now which can be played in the garden. The rules of the game are the same as the original game - its just a hell of a lot bigger.

I n summary a great game for both adults and kids to enjoy, providing fun and learning opportunities especially for younger children. Recommended

Summary: The old games are still the best!!!