Apples to Apples manufactured by Mattel
Kirby, M. (1999). Apples to apples. El Segundo, CA: Mattel
Plot Summary
Best played in a group, one player is chosen as the judge and the others as players. There are two types of cards; green cards have adjectives and red cards have nouns. Players begin with seven red cards each. The judge pulls a green card and all players choose of their red cards and throw them down on the table. The judge then evaluates all the red cards and chooses which card best fits the green card description. The decision is subjective and in the eyes of the judge. The judge may choose a card that is ironic, contrary, or fits perfectly with the description. Whoever placed the winning red card collects the green card. The first player to collect a previously agreed-upon number of green cards wins. After the round, all players grab another red card to have seven at a time. Additionally, the judge may be the same person the entire game, or may pass on to each player in the group so everyone may play. There are several variations players may include in their game. Players might place red cards first, and the green card second for Apple Potpourri. Apples Eye View encourages the judge to pick a red card in the eyes of someone else, such as a particular animal, parent, or public figure. Depending on the number of plays, Apple Turnovers switches green and red cards, but is best played with fewer players.
Critical Evaluation
This game is appropriate for teenagers and for those older or slightly younger. Game play can last 20 minutes or for however long you want to go. It all depends on the players and how many rounds they want to play. The number of cards allows for many to play at a time, helpful for large groups of teenagers without having to split the players up into teams, taking turns, or playing separate games. The larger the group the more fun the game usually is. The cards feature a variety of adjectives and nouns, including famous places and people. Game play is fairly flexible, and if players do not know a political figure, they could simply vote to choose another card. The subjective nature of the game allows for friendly competition as players try to convince the judge to choose a particular card, or players vote for their favorite card to sway the judge. There are an endless amount of possibilities and each player brings their own sense of humor and way of thinking to the game. It also provides an opportunity to think outside the box and imagine ways that words and cards fit together in unusual or unique ways. The game variations also give a different way to play if players want to switch it up after a while. No cards are inappropriate, just more advanced than the junior editions, which makes it an entertaining game for teens. The group play and individual card associations ensure that each round is amusing and enjoyable.
Reader’s Annotation
A fun word and card game that all can play at parties or sleepovers without having to wait turns.
About the Author
Out of the Box Publishing purchased the rights to Apples to Apples in 1999 from creator Matthew Kirby and revised the game. The game rights were later sold to Mattel. The company was created in 1998 and has won the Mensa Select and Toy of the Year awards. The company creates games that are learned quickly and played in less than an hour, are colorful, encourage player interaction, and fun to play.
Mattel was created in 1945 and incorporated in 1948 in Hawthorne, California. They are perhaps best known for the Barbie doll, created in 1959. In 1960, Mattel becomes a publicly owned company, and enters the educational preschool market five years later. Then in 1968, How Wheels die-cast cars are released. The 1970s see the company beginning to create electronic games. In 1986, Mattel joins an agreement with Bandai, Japan’s largest toy company. Fisher-Price, Cabbage Patch, Tickle Me Elmo, Nickelodeon, Tyco Toys, American Girl are all companies and products that either merged or were produced by Mattel in the 1990s. Mattel begins 2000 with entering into a licensing agreement with Harry Potter TM. Mattel is a global company with a huge interest in toys and games for all ages.
Genre
Board Game
Curriculum Ties
English Language Arts- adjectives and nouns, connotation and denotation
Booktalking
N/A
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: N/A
IL: 12 and up
Challenge Issues
I do not foresee any challenges.
Why Included
Though a great game for adults or the family, Apples to Apples is also wonderful at teen parties or get-togethers because there can be a high number of players. Mattel recommends 4-10 players, but having more would still be acceptable, or playing in teams would also be fun. There are junior editions, but teenagers would likely find the original game more age-appropriate and entertaining. It is a fun, easy game that all could participate in. As the game is judged subjectively, there are friendly competitions as players try to convince the judge of which card is the best.
Others in the Series/Editions
Apples to Apples Junior
Crab Apples to Apples
Apples to Apples Dice Game
Apples to Apples to Go Game
References
Mattel, Inc. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://corporate.mattel.com/about-us/history/default.aspx
Out of the Box Publishing. (2012). About us. Retrieved from http://www.otb-games.com/about-us-2/about-out-of-the-box/
Kirby, M. (1999). Apples to apples. El Segundo, CA: Mattel
Plot Summary
Best played in a group, one player is chosen as the judge and the others as players. There are two types of cards; green cards have adjectives and red cards have nouns. Players begin with seven red cards each. The judge pulls a green card and all players choose of their red cards and throw them down on the table. The judge then evaluates all the red cards and chooses which card best fits the green card description. The decision is subjective and in the eyes of the judge. The judge may choose a card that is ironic, contrary, or fits perfectly with the description. Whoever placed the winning red card collects the green card. The first player to collect a previously agreed-upon number of green cards wins. After the round, all players grab another red card to have seven at a time. Additionally, the judge may be the same person the entire game, or may pass on to each player in the group so everyone may play. There are several variations players may include in their game. Players might place red cards first, and the green card second for Apple Potpourri. Apples Eye View encourages the judge to pick a red card in the eyes of someone else, such as a particular animal, parent, or public figure. Depending on the number of plays, Apple Turnovers switches green and red cards, but is best played with fewer players.
Critical Evaluation
This game is appropriate for teenagers and for those older or slightly younger. Game play can last 20 minutes or for however long you want to go. It all depends on the players and how many rounds they want to play. The number of cards allows for many to play at a time, helpful for large groups of teenagers without having to split the players up into teams, taking turns, or playing separate games. The larger the group the more fun the game usually is. The cards feature a variety of adjectives and nouns, including famous places and people. Game play is fairly flexible, and if players do not know a political figure, they could simply vote to choose another card. The subjective nature of the game allows for friendly competition as players try to convince the judge to choose a particular card, or players vote for their favorite card to sway the judge. There are an endless amount of possibilities and each player brings their own sense of humor and way of thinking to the game. It also provides an opportunity to think outside the box and imagine ways that words and cards fit together in unusual or unique ways. The game variations also give a different way to play if players want to switch it up after a while. No cards are inappropriate, just more advanced than the junior editions, which makes it an entertaining game for teens. The group play and individual card associations ensure that each round is amusing and enjoyable.
Reader’s Annotation
A fun word and card game that all can play at parties or sleepovers without having to wait turns.
About the Author
Out of the Box Publishing purchased the rights to Apples to Apples in 1999 from creator Matthew Kirby and revised the game. The game rights were later sold to Mattel. The company was created in 1998 and has won the Mensa Select and Toy of the Year awards. The company creates games that are learned quickly and played in less than an hour, are colorful, encourage player interaction, and fun to play.
Mattel was created in 1945 and incorporated in 1948 in Hawthorne, California. They are perhaps best known for the Barbie doll, created in 1959. In 1960, Mattel becomes a publicly owned company, and enters the educational preschool market five years later. Then in 1968, How Wheels die-cast cars are released. The 1970s see the company beginning to create electronic games. In 1986, Mattel joins an agreement with Bandai, Japan’s largest toy company. Fisher-Price, Cabbage Patch, Tickle Me Elmo, Nickelodeon, Tyco Toys, American Girl are all companies and products that either merged or were produced by Mattel in the 1990s. Mattel begins 2000 with entering into a licensing agreement with Harry Potter TM. Mattel is a global company with a huge interest in toys and games for all ages.
Genre
Board Game
Curriculum Ties
English Language Arts- adjectives and nouns, connotation and denotation
Booktalking
N/A
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: N/A
IL: 12 and up
Challenge Issues
I do not foresee any challenges.
Why Included
Though a great game for adults or the family, Apples to Apples is also wonderful at teen parties or get-togethers because there can be a high number of players. Mattel recommends 4-10 players, but having more would still be acceptable, or playing in teams would also be fun. There are junior editions, but teenagers would likely find the original game more age-appropriate and entertaining. It is a fun, easy game that all could participate in. As the game is judged subjectively, there are friendly competitions as players try to convince the judge of which card is the best.
Others in the Series/Editions
Apples to Apples Junior
Crab Apples to Apples
Apples to Apples Dice Game
Apples to Apples to Go Game
References
Mattel, Inc. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://corporate.mattel.com/about-us/history/default.aspx
Out of the Box Publishing. (2012). About us. Retrieved from http://www.otb-games.com/about-us-2/about-out-of-the-box/
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