Neat, cheap and portable version of the classic game (Mattel Scrabble Scramble)

Member Name: crazyminx

Product:	Mattel Scrabble Scramble
Date:	26/05/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick and fun

Disadvantages: Annoying container

This is a quick, easy to play game which combines the basic ideas of Scrabble and Word Yahtzee. The rules are very quick to grasp if you're familiar with the original Scrabble, and simple enough for most children to get to grips with easily.

Basically the first player shakes the dice in the plastic container, empties it out and makes a word with the letters that are face up, placing them across the start position on the board. The next player shakes the remaining dice and makes a word joined onto the first one, like normal Scrabble. The first player's word is then removed and the next turn is taken. This means there's only ever one word on the board when you begin your turn, and play is constantly moving all over the board.

This game has a few really good points. Firstly, each turn is timed, so unlike regular Scrabble, where you can wait for ages for someone to take their turn, here it takes only 60 seconds. This can also be quite amusing as people start panicking as the egg timer goes down!

Secondly, this is more portable than most games. The board, dice, egg timer, notebook and pencil all fit into a very small plastic container which could probably be slipped into a jacket pocket!

Thirdly, the game can go for as long or short amount of time as you wish. It suggests that the first person to 200 points wins, but you can make it any score you like!

However, there are a few annoying niggles. The plastic container is very difficult to pack everything back into due to the design of the lid which means that everything has to be balanced in a particular place. It's difficult to describe but it's annoying!

Also, the dice are likely to keep sliding around/off the board unless it's on a completely even surface, which would make it a bit annoying to play in a train/car etc.

These are just minor problems though, and it is a fun game, though personally I prefer the normal Scrabble or Yahtzee, as they are more challenging. This would be especially good for families though.

The game is currently available on Amazon.co.uk for just £8.99.

Summary: Worth trying if you like normal Scrabble!