11/30/2004 Entry: "Christmas Junk '04: Milton Bradley Travel Games!"

One of the biggest holiday traditions in my family, outside the usual overindulgence of greasy food and gifts nobody really needs: Board games. Every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember, my family would gather around the table for their post-dinner black coffee, grab some wooden letters out of a sack and spend an hour or two trying to become the Scrabble Christmas Champion. Other times, Monopoly got the nod. Fact was, we were all growing older, and save for our family ties, maybe we were growing apart. With less and less common conversational ground between relatives, there’s nothing better than a board game to get everyone mingling.

Course, there’s one small problem with this ideal if you come from a family as large as mine – and certainly, many of you come from large families. Board games take up a lot of room, and not everyone at the table can actually play them. You’re faced with a situation where the players eat away at 50% of the holiday table’s real estate, knocking over all the wine decanters and coffee cups, completely oblivious to the fact that the non-playing folks were openly mapping their demise at the very same table, annoyed with having to use the Vermont Avenue deed card as a coaster.

Don’t fret – there’s a perfect solution. If you haven’t been to a toy store in ages, you’ve probably forgotten that Milton Bradley (the company that makes pretty much every board game worth devoting three hours of our lives to) produces travel sized versions of all their biggest hits. Now you can play Connect Four at the dinner table without invading Uncle George’s personal space!

Obviously, games like Monopoly aren’t too conducive to being shrunk down, but virtually every other game Milton Bradley relies on for their annual net revenue has been given the mini treatment. Even childlike wonders like Hungry Hungry Hippos have been shrunk down to a more negotiable size, and before you run to the toy store with your fingers crossed, yes, they actually make travel-sized Battleship, too.

The travel games generally follow the same rules and schematics as their larger counterparts, save for a few changes that make playing in such a small area easier. (Hungry Hungry Hippos, for instance, eliminates two of the original four pastel colored hippos in favor of a strictly two-player game) The Milton Bradley Travel Games are incredibly affordable (most of them retail for just five bucks), and they continue to be a great way to make an already special holiday celebration all the more…well, competitive.

PS: I love you dream woman.

PPS: Milton Bradley Travel Games make exxxcellent stocking stuffers. Even Milton Bradley says so -- check out this entry from last year's Advent Calendar, including a short review and download of a Milton Bradley T.G. commercial featuring Santa rolling the dice.

MB also makes soem kickass keychain versions of their games. Hell, they even have a keychain version of the Ouija board.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 11/30/2004 03:37 PM EST

Now you can worship Satan wherever you go!

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 11/30/2004 03:37 PM EST

Matt two words for ya:

Kinder Eggs!

Seriously, my wife made me buy like ten freakin' Kinder Egg Advent Calendars...

How about I eat the chocolate you hate, scan the pics and you write zany stuff for it?

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Chestnuts roasted by EMajorwitz @ 11/30/2004 03:41 PM EST

Y'know, if this year's X-mas season at X-E is gonna be an improvement on last year's, my brain will most likely explode because the enjoyment of it will be just too much for me to handle.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 11/30/2004 03:47 PM EST

I have the keychain OuiJa! You never know when you might need one. almost as freaky is that 20Q gadget. I bought one for one of my nephews for his birthday, and it creeps him out sometimes. MB has put out a new version of orignal Merlin! I gotta get one of those! I have the last new version, 10th Quest, and its fun and all, but I used to have the original, and had hours of fun with it.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 11/30/2004 04:07 PM EST

Oh, thanks Pedro. Maybe I'll grab one from Walmart and then return it after I quiz myself on all of the questions.

I also want to know who Matt's Dream Woman is. Is a proposal to the lady Milton Bradley in the near future?

Maybe Matt is sad that the buildup to Christmas will be over seemingly sooner this year? Admitting that he feels bad for the people shopping at Kmart shows signs of maturity. And, w/ maturity comes the realization that time moves quicker when you're an adult. A month only means the small amount of time between two light bills. Christmas isn't so much fun anymore, and that really sucks.

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 11/30/2004 04:24 PM EST

Thanks for writing so much the past week...it felt like a drought for a little while after halloween..we know you are very busy, but its such a great feeling when I go into my favorites and click XEntertainment and find something new...it's like an addict getting his fix...can't wait for more XE Xmas

Chestnuts roasted by Gerv @ 11/30/2004 05:11 PM EST

my head asplode from halloween. Still trying to glue it back together. Sleep is the gateway drug to being awake.

Chestnuts roasted by zombone @ 11/30/2004 06:50 PM EST

Man, I forgot about Merlin. My family sat around and played Uno Attack this Thanksgiving. When they say attack, they mean it, too. Guard yourself.

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica @ 11/30/2004 07:10 PM EST

zombone - Wearing a raincoat much?

Anyways, I think I had a keychain of one of these games, but I lost it.

My cousins had these games that looked like cassette tapes until you unfolded part of them to get the board. Anyone remember those?

Chestnuts roasted by JG! @ 11/30/2004 09:51 PM EST

They need to make mini Electronic Stratego. I still love my Electronic Stratego because of all the classic sounds it makes.....

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 11/30/2004 10:31 PM EST

They make Hungry Hungry Hippos that you can RIDE ON. Well, a kid could. I almost pissed myself when I saw them, then immediately switched to almost crying when I realized that I was way, way, way too big to fit on it. Still, a genius concept that just needs some adjustment so we big kids can use it too.

Chestnuts roasted by Mara @ 11/30/2004 10:58 PM EST

Freddy vs. Jason 2 shouldn't be about who's better at fighting and killing. It should be about which one is better at Hungry Hungry Hippos. But Freddy vs. Jason 3 should be about a slam dunk contest.

It's fitting that I read this article directly after watching one of those NES time attack videos (you know, like when that dude beat Mario 3 in 8 minutes) of NES Monopoly. In it, the guy playing beat the game in THIRTY FIVE SECONDS. Amazing.

I also saw time attack movies for both Punch Out and Super Punch Out. Surprisingly, it's fully possible to KO Nick Bruiser.

Chestnuts roasted by Gavok @ 12/01/2004 02:27 AM EST

Gavok post a link of those time attack videos me and a friend have been looking for the NES Super Mario Bros. 1 clip since last summer.

Chestnuts roasted by Pat @ 12/01/2004 03:09 AM EST

Here you go: http://bisqwit.iki.fi/nesvideos/

The Genesis Pit Fighter one is hilarious for how broken the game is. Plus the boss is a leather freak with two manslaves at his throne.

Friday the 13th is good too just because it makes Jason look like Wile E. Coyote. "You defeated Jason, but he's back and more powerful! Okay, you defeated him again but now he's back and more-- And you beat him again! Fine! Fuck you! Here's the ending."

Chestnuts roasted by Gavok @ 12/01/2004 04:37 AM EST

Phunqsauce,
There is an ELECTRONIC stratego??? Holy crap! Where have I been? I remember the "manual" version from way back, but couldn't find it in that spot in the basement where favorite childhood toys go to die.

Robologna,
Love the name.

Chestnuts roasted by Jimbalaya @ 12/01/2004 08:05 AM EST

Matt- Was that a "Wayne's World" reference? Think Garth- "I love you dream woman". EMAJORWITZ- I also love Kinder eggs- sometimes those toys inside kick ass too! Ahh....board games. CRANIUM is my new favorite but I will always remember the year I actually got MOUSETRAP for Xmas...set it all up (took forever to do so) and then put it aside to play after Xmas breakfast. Then, my brother and I got in a fight and he went to my room and kicked the game to pieces before anyone could play!! He kicked the shit out of it! Little bastard...

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 12/01/2004 10:16 AM EST

I have the keychain version of MouseTrap too. Gotta get started on my X-Mas shopping. No buying stuff for m'self, unless my back is turned.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 12/01/2004 11:38 AM EST

I can't wait for the advent calendar to start. X-E's month of Christmas has become a modern tradition for me. I always check out the last post on Christmas Eve after I get home from church and watch some of the 24 hours of A Christmas Story.

Oh yeah, and Monopoly is the only game on the planet that's been known to end life-long friendships.

Chestnuts roasted by Jeff Mack @ 12/01/2004 11:50 AM EST

Nintendo drawn into big-screen animation
http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?category=gamers&id=25988

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 12/01/2004 12:47 PM EST

Tetris: The Motion Picture.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 12/01/2004 01:10 PM EST

I woke up this morning and raced to X-E with the excitement of knowing today is the first day of December and the rightful kickoff for an advent calender countdown. Seriously, my excitement paralleled a Christmas morning rush down the stairs to empty my stocking.

Well there was no Mare Winningham to greet me this morning. I'm not going to let this get me down. Nope, I'm just going to pretend it's still November until Matt finds the time to start the countdown. That's right, I'm stopping time until Matt gives December it's official start.

Chestnuts roasted by Law Girl @ 12/01/2004 01:26 PM EST

Mr. C will most likely launch festivities later tonight. I ain't worried. I'm gonna watch Rudolph tonight! Anybody else? I'm getting the DVD package of five Rankin-Bass specials this week too, just to really kick off my shopping fever.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 12/01/2004 01:38 PM EST

Mara- That's pretty frickin cool! Looked it up. If I had kids, or a cousin, or a nephew/niece that was small enough, I'd SO get it for them. But as it stands, my cousins are too old, my brother doesn't have any kids, and I don't have any kids (or even a woman in my life for that matter).

I can clearly see that as skinny as I may be, I still break the thing if I were to try and ride it. But Hell, I'm half-tempted to get one anyway, just for the novelty of it.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 12/01/2004 01:51 PM EST

Hmm. Damn. I can't get into the Holidays until the 18th, which is when I finally go home for Christmas. My last exam isn't until the 17th, which really sucks. I envy all of you who are already getting into it. Oh well. Sucks to be me.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate (Sucks to be me) @ 12/01/2004 01:54 PM EST

I'll be Rudolph watching tonight. He's not to be missed. I just wish we could see more obscure specials too.

By the way, Uncle George's personal space doesn't have to suffer during Monopoly play. There IS a travel edition.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005N5PO.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Chestnuts roasted by Law Girl @ 12/01/2004 02:02 PM EST

KINDER EGG UPDATE

December 1: Myself and one stepdaughter received a Wise Man...

My wife received some weird Eskimo/Surf Boy Combo guy.

And my eldest stepdaughter received a buffalo/ox thingie.

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Chestnuts roasted by EMajorwitz @ 12/01/2004 02:07 PM EST

I know what you mean Law Girl...I had to wait before I clicked on the site to add to the anticipation. I could hear the drumroll in my head. And then, silence. But Matt won't disappoint, I guess we shouldn't complain since we've had two bonus mini-preview articles.

Chestnuts roasted by Y2JB78 @ 12/01/2004 02:31 PM EST

Is anyone else incredibly sad that the Advent Calendar still isn't up - I mean it's not like I expected it to be up at 9am or anything but c'mon - it's 2:45! I've been looking forward to that stupid calendar for a year and I know Matt is just sitting around watching old episodes of He-Man oblivious to the pain he's causing to his legions of desperately bored fans who have nothing better to do at work than delve into the world of sucky Macy's Day Parades and bizarre foodstuffs.

Chestnuts roasted by pefibqed89 @ 12/01/2004 02:43 PM EST

Okay i feel a little stupid - i didn't see Law Girl's first comment and assumed that Y2JB78 was referring to her 2:02p posting - glad to know that i'm not the only one lame enough to be anticipating the advent calendar!

Chestnuts roasted by pefibqed89 @ 12/01/2004 02:46 PM EST

Don't you worry. Remember, FT job now. Things won't ever be as smooth as they were when I was a hobo. But come tomorrow, yipppeeeee!

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 12/01/2004 02:58 PM EST

Can't wait!

Chestnuts roasted by J-Dog @ 12/01/2004 03:03 PM EST

Countdown tomorrow? Yay!

Does anyone else remember Playmobil as a Happy Meal toy? I scored a little Indian before McD's started recalling them as a choking hazzard. I had to use all my toddler toy grubbing abilities to fight off my parents repeated requests to give him up. (I still have him in hiding)

For years I asked for Playmobil toys to keep little Indian company, but the response was always the same: "No, you'll choke to death!"

Chestnuts roasted by Law Girl @ 12/01/2004 03:17 PM EST

Um...Law Girl, how old are you? I'm sure you're not 3, so either your parents are weird, or you're just making the whole thing up.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 12/01/2004 03:21 PM EST

Ok, I eventually gave up asking for Playmobil and forgot all about little Indian until Mare Winningham showed up on X-E.

I tried to buy the advent calender this year, but it was a sold out sign, and not a choking hazzard warning, that kept me from the toys. I guess this is destiny keeping little Indian from ever getting any toy lovin' from a Mare lookalike.

Chestnuts roasted by Law Girl @ 12/01/2004 03:40 PM EST

Man, wish I knew you guys love the Playmobil Advent Calendar, because they are just collecting dust here at our PX in Giessen, Germany.

I only bought one version though.

Tune in tommorrow for Kinder Egg December 2 Eggciting Advent Calendar!!!

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Chestnuts roasted by EMajorwitz @ 12/01/2004 03:44 PM EST

My new addiction game is scadagories, I played it all summer!!!!....I also LOVE HHH, I actualy got it for my 22nd bday, cause I wasnt allowed to get it when I was a kid, cause of the noise factor...but now I bang bang raddle bang bang my game all day!

Chestnuts roasted by IHAQ @ 12/01/2004 04:15 PM EST

MARE!!!MARE!!!MARE!!!
I just can't wait.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 12/01/2004 04:28 PM EST

The saga continues...
Inflatable SpongeBob Characters Disappearing From Burger Kings

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 12/01/2004 04:35 PM EST

"I also LOVE HHH, I actualy got it for my 22nd bday"

Stephanie McMahon, is that you?!

Chestnuts roasted by Gavok @ 12/01/2004 04:40 PM EST

This is from last Christmas Eve, but look what I found while browsing for advent calendars: http://actionfigures.about.com/b/a/052731.htm X-E links at About.com. Whoo!

All I can say is, I hope December's number one box is something w/ a face. No, not a pair of skiis, dammit!

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 12/01/2004 04:44 PM EST

I found a few kinder eggs at a convienenceses store a while back, the finding of the eggs had nothing to do with the main idea of this, but yeah. I thought the chocolate was pretty good. yeah. ahem.

Chestnuts roasted by Tom no like @ 12/01/2004 05:37 PM EST

raincoating it up.

Chestnuts roasted by zombone @ 12/01/2004 06:42 PM EST

One-of-a-kind gold plated TMNT Leonardo statue?

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 12/01/2004 09:11 PM EST

JG!--omigod, I'd forgotten ALL ABOUT those cassette tape game things! Weren't they magnetic or something? And had itty bitty pieces? I don't even remember what the games were, just that they existed.

Matt, that is why I love you so much. You bring us nostalgia whores together. *mwah*

Chestnuts roasted by Nikkii @ 12/01/2004 10:16 PM EST

I actually had the travel version of Hot Shots Basketball. Basically you wound the lever on the back, and tried to catapult mini plastic basketballs into a basket. Not much fun if you use it for the intended car rides, especially since you'd always end up fishing one or both of the basketballs from between the seats. Eventually I found a better use for it, when I had GI Joe slam dunk contests.

Chestnuts roasted by Dude McGuy @ 12/03/2004 02:12 AM EST

I'm shocked there's nothing on this site about those bootleg NES PowerPlayer things sold in malls.

Chestnuts roasted by chris @ 12/03/2004 01:54 PM EST

Playmobil was awesome! I used to ask for the pirate ship every Christmas but I never got it. :-(

Chestnuts roasted by Chris Dugan @ 12/03/2004 03:21 PM EST

Sirs:
Say, if you have any old unused trite cliches laying around that you’re not going to use for a while, we sure could use them. It’s almost time for Barry to cut another album and he’s moping around not knowing what to write.

Manilow Enterprises
New York, NY

Chestnuts roasted by Manilow Enterprises @ 12/03/2004 07:59 PM EST

Dear X-E,

I am a faithful reader with lots of xe experience and I noticed every year around December you refer to it as the "Christmas season" well I have something to say about this I am a festive young man and I have a request for the fair nature of this season. Can you now refer to this so-called "Christmas season" to the Holiday season because as we may know Christmas isn't the only holiday there’s also Hannnaka, Kwanzzua, Festivus, and many Middle Eastern holidays. I don’t mean to be durative, but it would show a little fairness if you would please refer to this wonderful season to X-E's Holiday Season 2004. -Thanks

Yours Truly
Carson Manning

Chestnuts roasted by Carson Manning @ 12/04/2004 02:01 PM EST

I hope you're kidding. After all, Matt never struck me as very P.C. He can call it "The Screw-Your-Neighbor's-Wife-While-He-Makes-Eggnog-and-Strings-Popcorn Season" if he wants to. Damn.

Chestnuts roasted by shuna @ 12/06/2004 01:07 AM EST

While i can see the sense in a large department store referring to it as "The holiday Season," Matt, who celebrates Christmas, shouldn't have to pander to those who do not. To him, as it is to all of us who celebrate Crhistmas, it is the Christmas season. That, to me, seems a pretty nonsensical request to make of a christian individual, even if he doesn't go to church anymore.

Chestnuts roasted by Drunken Fist @ 12/06/2004 01:44 AM EST

I always thought those "Travel edition" or mini-board games were ridiculous. What's wrong with a good old pack of playing cards? Or Uno?

Chestnuts roasted by Bert Raccoon @ 12/06/2004 01:32 PM EST

I used to play the Hungry Hungry Hippos game in my basement with the ghost of bon scott, from AC/DC

Chestnuts roasted by chris @ 12/06/2004 09:09 PM EST