“Quickword” is definitely a word game, but it also so much more. From the playing board and spinner to the varied card choices, this is a true test of mental quickness. The object of the game is to be the first one to cross off all colored squares on the scorecard pad. This can only be accomplished by responding to a card’s instructions faster than your opponents and/or coming up with more unique answers than anyone else.

“Quickword” can be played by 2 or more players and is suggested for ages 10 years old and up. Set up is simple; an alphabet spinner is placed in the center of the game board, which contains a path around the outside with squares in 4 random card colors and 4 choice squares in the corners. Four stacks of cards, each representing one of the 4 colors, are placed near the game board. A die is rolled and players alternate turns moving one token either direction around the board, landing on a colored space or one of the choice (choose any color) squares.

If a player lands on a blue space, he picks up the top blue card, which contains two subject choices, and then chooses to read only one of the subjects (his choice) to all players. An example might be “Types of Wood,” or “Comic Strip/Cartoon Characters.” Players then write down as many answers as they can think of before a sand timer (90 seconds) runs out. The player with the most answers, which are not in common with any other player, is allowed to cross off one of the blue card boxes.

If a player lands on a green space, 3 green cards are drawn, each containing two subjects per card. All 3 cards are in play for a total of 6 subjects. However, the player must also spin the spinner to determine the first letter of all answers. This time players must race to write down one answer for each of the 6 subjects, all beginning with the designated letter, while the same sand timer counts down the seconds. The subjects on the green cards may be a bit easier than the blue cards, since the answers must begin with a certain letter. For example, “Title of a Book” and “Actor or Actress” are among the green card subjects. If the letter was an M, good answers might be “Moby Dick” and “Marilyn Monroe.” Scoring is done the same as for the blue cards, and the player who wins that round is allowed to cross off one of the green card boxes. 2 of the 3 green cards are replaced on subsequent turns, and the starting letter will likely change as well.

If a player lands on a yellow space, he picks up one of the yellow cards, which are a bit more challenging, and spins the spinner. Players try to come up with as many answers as possible before time expires. Here are the instructions on a typical yellow card, “Words starting with the letter indicated by the pointer (spinner) and containing O and E in that order later in the word.” If the starting letter was a G, one answer might be “Gone.” Scoring is done the same as for the blue and green cards, and the player who wins that round is allowed to cross off one of the yellow card boxes.

If a player lands on a red space, he will face the toughest challenge. One red card will be picked up and that player must also spin the spinner. Players continue to write down as many answers as possible before the timer runs out of sand. but the instructions are very difficult. For example, “Make words of three or more letters using either or both of the letters either side of the spinner and ANY of the letters of NATURAL-use the letters available only once for each word.” Wow, now that is a tough one. If the spinner showed an F, the letters on either side are B and E. Therefore, one possible answer might be “Blue.” Once again, scoring is done the same, and the player who wins that round is allowed to cross off one of the red card boxes. Because of the higher difficulty of both the yellow and red cards, there are fewer boxes of those colors to be crossed off in order to win the game.

The Toys Bulletin staff play tested this game about a dozen times, generally with 3 or more players. This is not an easy game to win. Players need a firm grasp of the English language, plus they must be fast, logical and skillful. Depending on the number of players, the short version of the game (6 boxes to cross off) can generally be completed in 30 minutes or so. The longer version, which requires 10 boxes to be crossed off, will last a bit longer. “Quickword” provides the ultimate challenge to those who excel in word games.

— ToysBulletin.com