Monopoly

When I was young, I made myself the Monopoly board game because we just do not have the money to buy an original monopoly game. Draw and color the whole board out of cardboard. Make and paint all the houses and hotels (in 3D cuboids shaped). Hand written all the chance, community chest and properties cards. Make the exact amount of money notes. Only thing we did not make is those fancy tokens.

I bought the Cuti-Cuti (Holiday-ing) Malaysia edition Monopoly game (2014 is visit Malaysia year). Today is also the National Day of Malaysia. It is fun to see the places on the board are the places I grown up in and visited. The iconic pictures (free parking, police and jail, utilities, etc.) on the board are still the same. The game play is the same - Monopoly. The only let down, they make the money value so BIG. It is just not children friendly. Why do they want to change the money denomination? (Malaysia money is so small meh?) It is much easier for the children to add 1 plus 5 plus 10 rather than 100K + 500K + 1M. Although lay dormant for > 6 months, but once the kids start to play with it, its a daily affair.

Previously I bought a cheap imitation copy of the SpongeBob Squarepants Monopoly game. The quality of the boards, cards, tokens, bank notes are lower grade due to it is an imitation copy of the original, but the outlook is the same. Maybe because of the SpongeBob characters, the kids seem to enjoy playing the Monopoly game. The money is in small value, children friendly. I like the Plankton rule game, it makes the game play duration shorter.
http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/monopoly_spongebob.pdf

Different token can be used ....

But beware, although Monopoly teaches the kids the property trading world, but tempers will flare, money will tear and head will roll. Good thing I bought a cheap mock copy.

Notice Squidgy's head.... that's the "head will roll" part

Star Wars™ SY198

This set is base on Episode 3 of the Star Wars saga, where Analkin join the dark side and eventually become Darth Vader. Good thing SY include Darth Maul from Episode 1. Been waiting for SY to come out with the bootleg minifigures of 2 of my favorite Star Wars characters, Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

BUT, I am really disappointed. They did not provide a cape for Vader ... how CAN! Have to get a cape from my other minifigs. SY gave two different torso for Vader, but no cape to cover. As for Maul, there's also no cape (but Darth Maul do not really wear a cape often), but his signature "awesome" dual light saber weapon, is also not included. Sheesh!

Anyway, they provide one red energy bar for Treepio, so I used on Maul's weapon instead. As for C-3PO, why do they want to use orange line.

Awesome...Awesome... Awesome!!!!

Treepio with an energy rod (??), Vader without a cape (WTX)
Got to know later releases, SY included a cape for Vader

Slight enhancement on the set

Another picture for viewing - Chewy looks blinded

S.W.A.T. SY168

Nice set of 4 pieces minifigs from SY. Lots of accessories (weapons) are included.

S.W.A.T. SY168

Castle SY165

Got the Sheng Yuen Castle set SY165 today. This set is similar to the earlier RED castle set (see previous post), only this is in blue color. The King is nice.

Castle SY165

B Daman

One toy need to be mentioned, Cross Fight B Daman (base on animated series like Gundam). Previously my son's favorite. One can buy a complete assembled B Daman or an un-assembled one. I always buy the un-assembled ones because the kids can learn how to assemble as well as play (shoot marbles) with the toy later.
Bought quite a few (approx 10) , but these are the ones only left, and functional. ( I have forgotten their names)

Thunder  Draycan & Strike Avian

Minifigures -Decool Hero and Vehicle

Where's the water? (Decool 7001 Bat Man Jet Ski)

Make way for "Mad Rob In" (Decool 7002 Robing & Red Bird Cycle)

Spider Glider (Decool 7003 SpiderMan Jet Play Set)

Slugterra

For the love of my kid. They are actually pencil toppers.

Joules, Rocky, Buzzsaw, Bludgeon

TMNT McD

These TMNT toys are cheap -  from McD. But, it is a treasure for my kids. Too bad we can't get Raphael.

3 Kingdom-Episode 1

These cheap 3 Kingdom (3K) Gundam series quality are quite good. The plastic quality and assembly of the parts is acceptable. The joints sockets are made out from those rubbery plastic similar to genuine Gundam. Some parts like the shoulder armor pads, helmet extensions, weapons do comes off easily after assembly. The joints (mainly the hand) will come loose during figure posing. But, my 9+ year old love this series a lot. Good alternative and starter to the Bandai series.

Original Gundams after assembly, is a model for display and not a toy. But for these Gundams, your kids can actually play with it like a toy should be. We will encounter parts keep dropping off ( or missing) during play time, but that is the difference between toy and model. My elder son is happy and interested in collecting the rest of the series.

This is the first 3 Kingdom bootleg Gundam purchased

MENG HU ZHUANG SUN QUAN A017

Of course, the original 3K Gundam looks way better, but not for a 9+ year old to play with. The stickers and plastic colors do make it look a bit low grade, but for those that plan to paint their models (and glue some of the parts), believe it will look good for display. One can even learn how to paint on this first. ( no worry of "disfiguring" a pricey model). After this first set, the rest of the 3K Gundams just keep coming in ....

SAN GUO LU SHUANG - LU BU A023

DIAN WEI ( find this one quite loose build, easily fall off)

HUANG GAI A001

YUAN SHAO A002

BAI YI JIANG JUN LU XUN - Flying Mode

BAI YI JIANG JUN LU XUN - Land Mode

SI MA YI A025

ZHANG LIAO A010

HANGAOZU LIU BANG A015

There's many similar packing and various brands, look out for the Xing Hao (too high) brand, and the series always starts with A00x to Axxx

CAREERS

This is the only available original hard cover board games that I had since my teens that I have kept intact for my kids to play. All my other board game is either cheap imitation (eg: Millionaire vs. Monopoly) or local made version (Sahiba vs. Scrabble). I am happy that the kids enjoy this game. The game play is about life’s career path, where we have to choose between Money $, Fame or Love. The game play relies on chance from the roll of the dice.

The elder boy always chooses $ over fame and love (he is the Mr Krab type). But I soon realized that somehow choosing $ have a better chance of winning the game.

The kids may not know the significant difference between their choice.

In real life, which will you choose? Money, Fame or Love?

Money will attract Fame and Love

Fame can acquire us Money and maybe Love (temporary)

Love .. does not guarantee fame or fortune, but it is the one thing that money or fame cannot truly provide.

Barbie

When we was young, we play dress up with paper dolls. Everything is made out of paper (the doll, the outfits, the accessories). We do not have the money to buy a 3 Dimensional Barbie doll. For my girl (and being a girl), we got her a Barbie doll to developed her feminine side as she is getting to be a bit boyish. Bought the Daphne Barbie doll from the Scooby Doo cartoon series (mine time) as it is on sale. The doll is missing now (last I saw the face was painted with blue ink), but the Scooby (and Scooby snacks) is still around.

Later on we got her a bigger Barbie doll set with clothes and accessories to change. She seldom plays with it although sometimes she does make a few clothes changes. She prefers her Raphael Ninja Turtle over her Barbie which is bought on the same day. Barbie is just one of her toy, but Raphael is what like Woody is to Andy (Toy story), always beside her bed.

Come to think of it, the paper doll brings out our creativity and thrifty side. If we run out of outfits, we will draw more clothes, hats, handbags etc. and color them. But for 3D Barbie, it just involves matching the few available clothes and accessories, and then it will be buy and buy and buy ....

old fashion dress up paper doll (just print it)

 
This is the digital world, so, here's a "Not so paper" paper doll play site
http://www.paperdollheaven.com/en/

Furblings

Cute? That's the only thing that is significant about this toy, being cute. Other than being super "Kawaii", it does not do much things. Just talk a few cute baby phrases when we press the top of its head. It interacts with the big Furby Boom (too expensive to afford) and also a Furbling apps that let you hatch and raise virtual Furblings (only iOS platform). The price is high for such limited features, but, my girl love it, that's the important point.

Gwiyomi - Gwiyomi!

Still remember me from the late 80's ... don't add water!

Microfighters - X Wing

One of the few original Lego set purchased 75032

They say I can find one master called YoYo here

Hulk Smash

LELE Hulk (2 in 1 series) vs. SY Hulk (Avengers Assemble SY161 series). SY Hulk is much better with battle scar on chest and articulated head. My young one love "Hulk Smash"

Hey Le.. you got a stiff neck or something??

HOBPit

Bought this LeLe 2in1 bootlego figures of the Goblin King 78033. It comes together with Frodo Bagins but the skull club is not included (made it using extra pieces). Gandalf is from another LeLe 79001 The Lord of the RingS set.

You shall not pass!

UNO SPIN TO GO

Due to the popularity of UNO among my kids, I got this UNO SPIN TO GO version. The game play is fun, new and exciting with a new SPIN to the classic UNO. The “luck” aspect of the game increases due to the SPIN feature. (like wheel of fortune)
I find the tiny cards too small for my hands to hold for this TO GO version. But, everyone knows that any travel version of an original game will always be smaller in size, for the convenience of travel. Those that want to play UNO SPIN in the comfort of their home can buy the standard set, unless you're so addicted to UNO SPIN that you need to carry it everywhere you go like a hand phone.

To Go! Games™ UNO Spin® Game

http://service.mattel.com/instruction_sheets/R2820-0920.pdf

Tumblin' monkey

The outlook of the toy is already attracting the kid's attention. Since the game play is simple (just roll the dice and remove the corresponding colored sticks), hence even a 3+ year old can play. Will need an elder kid to help to assemble and set up the game. The rule is not to let the monkey dropped down when removing the sticks. Sometimes the young one thought he won the game by having the most monkeys.

After many round of play time, somehow the monkey becomes lesser and lesser. Some is used by the kids to make a "monkey chain".

3D Animal puzzle

If you think this 3D animal puzzle is simple,.... think again ....
Never try never know. It is not as easy as it looks, really need to crack the brain.
Apart from panda, there're bear, gorilla, cheetah, eagle, gazelle, moose .... each as challenging on it's own. Good IQ builder.

Angry Bird card game

Bought this card game because my kids love anything with the Angry Birds on it. Also, want to find out how one can turn such a popular video game into a card game.
The deck of card comes with two dice and a King pig for us to knock him out. The rule of the game is quite simple; mainly depend on the roll of the dice (luck) to discard your cards. Not much strategy involved. The only skill required is your finger shooting accuracy during the knock-down of the king pig. Anyway, my kids love this game. As time goes by, the number of cards become lesser (some lost, some damaged), now only left the dice. Even the pig is missing in action. I kind of have forgotten how the game really goes. But we can always create our own Rules! I still have the dice! (the rules is per below link)

http://service.mattel.com/instruction_sheets/W3969-0920.pdf

Minifigures - Big Hulk

Where's is that big guy??

Ghima SY

This Ghima set from Sheng Yuan (SY) have been out for quite some time. I did not get the complete set as I have got a few Chima's characters from another Decool / SY Chima set. This knockdown minifigures is good for the kids to act out their Chima scene.

Loom Band 2

The first small set really got my kids going. The elder boy even got his mind off 3 Kingdom and minifigures. Busy searching the internet to learn how to make loom bands.
Bought another bigger set for them to play with. More bands, but some already broke upon opening the box.

Decorated with loom bracelets

TMNT Role play

My young one loves Mikey from the TMNT TV show. Bought this Mikey mask and Num-chucks set for him to act out as his favorite turtle (He literally pleaded for this set).
The nun-chuck is made out of rubbery plastic, hence it is durable to impact, also, it won't hurt ("that much") vs. if it is made from hard plastic. Just that the link between the two sticks is a bit too short.
This set is share together with the elder boy. Although they still very much love the TMNT TV series, this pricey toy just did not make any great impact to their playtime (seldom used it at all). They still "sucks" in handling the nun-chucks.

Good for party costume play, or during meet the Turtles session.

Booyakasha!