Connect Four
by Hasbro
|
List Price: Our Price: $15.90 You Save: $4.09 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $9.97 (click here) Category: Toy See more product details |
|---|
Toys and Games Reviews of Connect Four
Customer Review: Provides independent play for autistic son
Summary: 4 Stars
Traditionally Connect Four is played with two players for children aged seven and older. I initially purchased this game with my seven-year old in mind since he enjoyed Checkers and Bingo.
Actually the oldest did not show any interest in Connect Four and only utilized it a few times so this worked out well having at least one child play with the game. In the past I have purchased toddler type products for my younger son due to his disability and just overlooked the beginning age requirement for Connect Four. Since we keep the game in the box the only set-up needed is to slide the end supports onto the slots. They have Connect Four on the outside part so it is easy to know which side to face inward. The retaining lever stays secure and is fastened by sliding over the yellow slot underneath.
The grid contains seven rows with six round slots to fit the checkers. There are twenty-one black and red checkers with the logo, Connect Four imprinted on one side and MB on the other. The retaining lever is not locked into place until both side end supports are in position. Before the first player drops a checker into a slot check the lever to make sure it is secured, otherwise the checkers will drop right through to the ground.
When playing with two players the choice of red or black is made and each player takes the collection into a pile. Each player drops a checker into any slot in the grid and alternates with the other player, otherwise known as your opponent. They alternate turns until one has mastered four in a row in either a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. This became confusing for my older son because there are six in a column or row and he preferred to get all six to be a winner. There are no points to accumulate in Connect Four and to play another game you can either slide the retaining lever and let loose all the checkers or turn it over and dump them all back into the box.
This has worked well for my non verbal son.
Customer Review: Once You Drop, You Just Can't Stop . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
Whenever it was not possible to go outside for recess during my grade-school days (I'm a college sophomore now), there were many games that we would play indoors to pass the time.Some kids drew on the blackboard. Other kids just got together in groups and talked. And then there were kids like me that played Connect Four.
Connect Four is extremely habit-forming because you get totally engaged in the game-play. It takes skill, a little bit of luck, and a decent amount of humor to play. We would have Connect Four tournaments all the time in grade school, and they would get pretty competitive sometimes!
Fun: This game is one of the best out there. Once you catch on, which doesn't take long since the rules of the game are easy, it is great to play. If you like games that will make you think and strategize, games that force you to outwit your opponent, this is a good game to reach for.
Educational Value: It keeps the little ones from getting into things. That was always my experience with it. Why go getting myself into mischief when I can go head-to-head with someone two feet in front of me? Little ones will find this a fun counting game.
Durability: The only thing that could probably dampen the fun of the game is losing any of the Checkers to the game. Either that or someone steps on the plastic frame, cracking it or just plain breaking it. But this is not something that people should worry too much about. This game is very durable; it holds up well.
In short, this is a classic game that has stood the test of time. And there are many ways to play it, not just connecting four Checkers in a row. Many games come and go, but Connect Four is a treasure that will last forever.
Customer Review: An essential for your game chest.
Summary: 4 Stars
We've had this in the game stack for years, but it took a while to catch fire at my house. It was my 7 year old son's aftercare program that made him notice it. He started playing it and now he never gets enough. At first I thought it was just like tic tac toe and that whoever goes first necessarily wins - but I have to concede there must be some additional strategic subtlety. How else can I explain how that !@#$ little boy beats me EVERY TIME no matter who starts first. Working hard at learning chess and other more advanced games isn't the esteem booster that fires him up - maybe that will come later. I see this as a jumping off point for more sophisticated games like Go, and Chess. Becoming the Connect Four champ of the house (and the aftercare program) has been great for his self esteem and his ability to think strategically. I'd rate this just barely above Checkers in the sophistication of game play - but it's deceptive. It seems so very very simple at first glance. Game play is dominated by subterfuge - misdirection aimed at getting the other player to leave you an opening. Victory is won by control of the middle - thus gaining the ability to set up simultaneous opportunity on each side. It gets pretty intense! Some have validly complained about the lightweight plastic build. We've played hundreds of games and it has held up so far - but certainly the build doesn't give a ton of confidence. Highly recommended for getting kids into strategic gaming.Customer Review: An essential for your game chest.
Summary: 5 Stars
We've had this in the game stack for years, but it took a while to catch fire at my house. It was my 7 year old son's aftercare program that made him notice it. He started playing it and now he never gets enough. At first I thought it was just like tic tac toe and that whoever goes first necessarily wins - but I have to concede there must be some additional strategic subtlety. How else can I explain how that !@#$ little boy beats me EVERY TIME no matter who starts first. Working hard at learning chess and other more advanced games isn't the esteem booster that fires him up - maybe that will come later. I see this as a jumping off point for more sophisticated games like Go, and Chess. Becoming the Connect Four champ of the house (and the aftercare program) has been great for his self esteem and his ability to think strategically. I'd rate this just barely above Checkers in the sophistication of game play - but it's deceptive. It seems so very very simple at first glance. Game play is dominated by subterfuge - misdirection aimed at getting the other player to leave you an opening. Victory is won by control of the middle - thus gaining the ability to set up simultaneous opportunity on each side. It gets pretty intense! Some have validly complained about the lightweight plastic build. We've played hundreds of games and it has held up so far - but certainly the build doesn't give a ton of confidence. Highly recommended for getting kids into strategic gaming.Customer Review: Timeless classic
Summary: 4 Stars
I brought this game last year for my daughter who was 6 at the time. I primarily brought it because I enjoyed the game when I was a kid. My oldest daughter is a bit of a tic tac toe fiend so I got this for her because the concept is pretty much the same, but a single game lasts longer than your typical tic tac toe game. My daughter likes this game, but she enjoys sliding the bottom so all the checkers fall out the most. My three year old also delights in putting all the checkers in just to make them all fall out. The wonders of gravity never cease to amaze my youngest daughter.
The construction of this game is not what it was back in the 80s. The plastic is flimsier and that gives the game a cheaper feel over all. You must also assemble this game before playing and take it apart when you are done if you want to store the game in it's original box.
Overall, the game is fun and easy for young children to play. The only issue I have with this game is how Milton Bradley has degraded the quality of the plastic. I purchased this game for about 50% off the regular price and I wouldn't want to pay any more than that because I think the plastic could potentially break rather easily.