Buying guide for Best Hasbro games
When you want to spend some quality time with family, convincing the kids to put down their devices can pose a bit of a challenge. Family game night is a way to encourage family to spend some fun time together. If you’re choosing board games for the family, chances are high that you’re choosing a game from Hasbro.
Hasbro owns quite a few well-known board games, including Monopoly, Jenga, Life, Yahtzee, and Clue. Hasbro also offers electronic versions of the majority of its popular physical board games, so when the family wants to spend some screen time together, you can continue the board game theme. The company even makes outdoor play equipment, such as Nerf balls, giant versions of Jenga, and Tonka trucks for quality time spent outdoors.
Finding the right Hasbro game for your family may take a bit of investigation. To assist you, we created this buying guide that explores more about these great offerings.
Key considerations
Board games
Hasbro’s board games consist of some of the best-known traditional family games. A board game typically consists of the game board along with pieces or tokens, dice, spinners, direction cards, and/or fake money. Players attempt to reach a goal, such as earning the most points or the most money, by moving across the board.
Board games can last as little as 20 minutes or as long as several days. Strategy, role-playing, trivia knowledge, creativity, and a little luck may all be involved. The majority of board games fit on a typical table, making them convenient to use.
Electronic games
An electronic game from Hasbro could involve a handheld gaming device or a game that runs on a console. Some Hasbro electronic games consist of apps that people can play on a smartphone or tablet.
Role-playing games
A role-playing game (RPG) is one where players take on the personality and characteristics of a character from real life or a fictional setting. The player makes decisions as this character, attempting to reach a goal at the end of the game.
Outdoor games
Hasbro sells equipment players can use for outdoor games. This equipment may work for playing a structured game or sport with rules, or players may use the equipment to create their own rules and gameplay.
Did You Know?
During its nearly 100-year history, Hasbro has purchased other famous game and toy-making companies, including Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley.
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Age recommendations
The majority of Hasbro games include a suggested age range. Jenga, for example, should work for ages six and up. Classic Monopoly has an age range of eight and up. Chutes and Ladders has a suggested age range of three and up.
Certainly, players of any age can play any game, but these recommended age ranges should give parents an idea of the age at which players can understand the rules of the game successfully. A game that requires counting money or spelling large words would not be appropriate for a young child who doesn’t have these skills.
Additionally, if a game includes small pieces that could become choking hazards, the age range may mention that the game is not suitable for children under the age of three.
Adult-themed games
Board games featuring themes aimed at adults have grown in popularity over the past several years, and Hasbro offers some of these games, such as Knope for President and Catch Phrase. Expect to see a suggested age range of 17 or older on these games.
Hasbro doesn’t manufacture a lot of adult-themed games, but such games may use profanity, describe alcohol or drug use, or discuss sexual situations. Before determining whether to play an adult-themed game with your children, be sure to investigate the game thoroughly.
Number of players
Hasbro games should include a recommendation for the number of players the game can accommodate. The majority of board games work for two to four players, although some allow for up to eight players.
If you have more people who want to play than the game will allow, players can team up to play.
Game duration
Some games list the expected length of time required to play a full game. If you have young children, you may worry about selecting games that take longer than an hour to play, as the child may struggle to remain engaged. Some games, such as Monopoly, have alternate rules for a shorter game.
Some of Hasbro’s best-known toy brands include Nerf, Power Rangers, G.I. Joe, Transformers, Furby, and My Little Pony.
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Hasbro game prices
Inexpensive: Low-cost Hasbro games are priced between $5 and $12. Frequently, these games have rules made with younger children in mind and include a minimal number of pieces. Basic versions of classic games like Trouble, Clue, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Connect Four often appear in this price range.
Mid-range: For $12 to $25, you’ll find games like Monopoly, Life, Scrabble, Battleship, Boggle, Yahtzee, and Operation. Basic Hasbro electronic games and console video games often fit in this price range too.
Expensive: The priciest Hasbro games cost $25 to $100 and sometimes more. Special versions of classic games like Monopoly, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, and Life may fit in this price range, as do games with quite a few pieces, like Jenga. Hasbro also offers some of its branded video games for consoles in this price range.
Did You Know?
Monopoly has more special versions than any other game. Currently, there are more than 1,100 versions of Monopoly.
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Tips
Here are some tips to help you feel certain that a Hasbro board game will be safe for your child to play.
- Small pieces: Many board games use tiny pieces that could become choking hazards for young children. Such Hasbro games should have warnings on the box about choking risks.
- Safe materials: Board games from Hasbro made for especially young children should have safe materials, including safe inks on cards and game boards, as toddlers may end up placing some of the game parts in their mouths.
- Following toy safety standards: All Hasbro game parts provide compatibility with federal toy safety standards in the United States.
- Sharp pieces: Hasbro games should never have sharp pieces, but you may want to check the plastic parts of the game occasionally, just to make certain the children haven’t done something to create a sharp edge on a game piece.
FAQ
Q. How can I help younger kids become less frustrated with playing board games?
A. Start by limiting them to games appropriate for their age range. Asking a five-year-old to remain interested in a standard Monopoly game may be asking too much. For kids who dislike losing and become angry, try playing in teams instead of individually.
Q. Should I let my younger child win the board game?
A. There are pluses and minuses to this strategy, which parents sometimes employ to prevent tantrums. Children should feel a sense of accomplishment from winning, which is beneficial. However, there’s also a benefit in learning how to lose with grace and good sportsmanship. Instead of letting the child win all of the time or always trying as hard as you can and dooming the child to loss after loss, try playing the game at a skill level equal to your child, making the varying wins and losses more natural.
Q. Can we add our own rules to Hasbro games?
A. Sure. Many families have their own “house” rules that they add to the games. This can be a fun way to help younger children enjoy the game more. If they have the ability to alter the game, they’ll feel more in control and will have more fun playing. Before changing the rules, though, make sure all players understand and agree to the changes.
