Trouble Board Game Reviews

• A game that's fun for anybody to play

  
  By A2QRB6L1MCJ53G on 2000-09-14
  I've been playing Trouble since I was a kid and it's still fun to play with my brothers and my niece. You push down on the middle part of the game with the dice in it and the dice will 'pop' and give you a number, telling you how many spaces to move. The first person to get their four pieces around the board and to their base, wins. If you land on a space where one of your opponent's pieces are already at, they will have to start all over with that piece. For that reason, some kids might get mad if they have to start over, but that's the only thing that I see that anyone wouldn't like about Trouble.

  Playing Trouble can teach kids some counting skills and maybe even some sportsmanship after you teach them not to get mad because they're not winning everytime. Trouble is a lot of fun and I recommend anybody to get it.
  
  

• a good introductiton to counting and basic game skills

  
  By A2SHQJP6PNQTLD on 2001-05-03
  I think even young children will enjoy this game. My daughter was under 4 when we started, but she loves the counting aspect of the game. It's great for number recognition skills because you make them say the number on the die outloud as they "roll." The only rule I don't like is that you need a "6" to start. Often that makes the beginning a bit slow if no one gets a 6. Once things get going, it's a lot of fun and easy to play. The thing in the middle is harder to push than it looks, so for very young children, they may not be strong enough to push it. 3-4 year olds should have no problem though and it makes a satisfying pop. A fun and easy game -- avoid if your child still puts small plastic pieces in his mouth though.
  
  

• Could be made a lot better...

  
  By A1ZOK6W2A4FT75 on 2004-11-29
  I'm a 27 year old mother of 3. I remember loving this game when I was a kid. I was so dissapointed when I opened this game. I couldn't believe how cheesey it is. You can barely 'POP' the dice. And when my kids POP the bubble all the game pieces fly around. Plus the bottom of the game has a pop in piece of cardboard. Shouldn't the bottom be covered with hard plastic??
  
  I also wish there was something to hold all the pieces because my kids (like many others) abuse the box and all of the pieces fall out and get lost.
  ****Can't the board game makers start making harder cases or Tins so we all don't have a stack of smashed boxes and missing pieces.
  
  The game itself is fun...but I ended up throwing it away because pieces got lost way to fast.
  
  

• Classic Fun

  
  By A3FVAWZNKW9GX on 2001-12-08
  "I sat hunkered over the board. Five years old, and a "Trouble" champion. My brother stared me down. At eight years old, he knew how to intimidate. My glass of chocolate milk quivered in my nervous hands..." --me... circa 1971 or 1972

  The sheer delight of a simple game will be satisfying as you see your children pop on the plastic bubble to 'toss the dice.' And you'll smile as you know those dice won't be easily lost. Milton Bradley were smart to use such a creative device without losing an ounce of fun.

  Easy to learn, keeps a child's attention, and just plain good 'ol fun.

  My brother usually beat me. But I went at the game as intensely as Michael Jordan plays basketball.

  I fully recommend "Trouble."

  Anthony Trendl
  
  

• Fun for the whole family!

  
  By on 1999-08-11
  I have a hard time finding a game my daughters will both agree on. When I found Trouble, I found relief! It's one game they agree on and the whole family can get into the action. The die helped my youngest learn to recognize her numbers. What a wonderful family game. My hat's off to you Amazon for selling this game and thank you Hasbro for making such a wonderful family game!
  
  
• A family favorite!
  By on 1999-11-28
  This is the one game we enjoy playing with our 6 year old -who is a very sore loser. But this game is so much fun, he doesn't mind if he loses. It's great for counting skills and really tests a kid's patience. The pop up dice is fun, too.
  
  
• Great rainy day toy
  By on 2000-04-30
  When "I'm bored" rings out, this is a great toy. One of those ones everyone can play together, without sitting mesmerised at a computer or video screen. A good one to take away on holidays too - it gets packed first in our house.
  
  
• Inexpensive and really fun!
  By on 2001-01-17
  I always loved this game when I was little - and the fact that my daughter also enjoys it now makes this a special toy for us to share. My four-year old really gets into it. Sometimes the pop-o-matic thing in the center is too hard for her to push. If she has to put a lot of pressure on it, the game pieces can become dislodged. She has learned a lot about counting and strategy - I think the educational value is high. And on a sweeter note, she's learning manners and sportsmanship in a really gentle way. As much as she loves to send her mommy back "home" she always notes "that it's just part of the game".
  
  
• Lots of fun!
  By AZJHIRNFI04WK on 2002-01-22
  This is a fun game that's easy for little ones to play, too. It's very much like Sorry, except that instead of cards you have a dome with a die inside that you "pop" on your turn. The only problem with the game is that it isn't very sturdy. My husband compared it with the one he played as a little boy and he was disappointed. And you definitely have to keep it picked up, otherwise all the little pegs will get lost. But my kids like it and I don't mind playing it with them.
  
  
• Fun Game - Cheaply Made
  By A3A1OA237FOZFK on 2005-11-20
  My 8 yr old loves playing this game as it is simple but fun. As others have said, waiting to get a 6 to start can get really frustrating. The popper is definitely tough to push, even for my 8 yr old and sometimes for me. You feel like it if you push too hard it might just crack.
  
  Since the game does not cost much and is even cheaper if you get it during the B1G1F promos, it still is a big disappointment as a parent. I'd like to have a sturdier box that actually had a lid instead of a flimsy one that only opens on the side. The playing board is a single piece of clear plastic that you place the thin cardboard colored piece under and it is held in place by the 4 rubber feet. As another reviewer said, I'd rather pay more money and have a better quality game and box.
  
  Nonetheless, my son likes to play it as it doesn't require a lot of thinking. It has some educational value in helping younger kids learn to count. However, we tend to like Sorry more than Trouble as it has a little more variety and you don't get stuck for too long waiting to play.
  
  
• Kids Love the Game, but Quality of board and parts Not the Greatest.
  By A1APMHP8DPIS3G on 2005-11-28
  I like many other adults rember this game from when I was a child. My wife and I purchased it as a Christmas gift for our kids. My kids love the game, and have they have lots of fun playing it. Educationally they learn to count and strategize as part of the game(which piece to move, what pieces are at risk).
  
  The construction of the game seems quite flimsy compared to the game I had as a young boy. The kids have to really push down on the bubble to get the die to jump.
  
  Another interesting note, this isn't a complaint, just an observation. With four players the game takes a little longer to play, all four of us were knocking opposing players back to home every few turns. This didn't seem to bother the kids too much, they enjoyed forcing their siblings pieces home, but it happened so often that I commented to my wife that the game might take all day...
  
  Overall the game is fun and the kids enjoy playing it. Sometimes a player can get stuck waiting for a six (we allow 1 and 6 to speed up the game), and there are some games where everyone keeps getting their game pieces sent home, in games like that my kids begin to stop sending other players pieces home. The quality of the product itself is rather cheap, and the little ones have to push the bubble with both hands to get it to pop but I wouldn't let that stop me from purchasing this game.
  
  
  
• Fun game, but POOR quality!
  By A2NE9736Q3F1PM on 2001-10-22
  I remember LOVING this game as a child! What I don't remember is the game being of such poor quality! They really cut corners and produced an extremely flimsy and low quality version of this classic board game. It is still as much fun as it used to be, but won't hold up like the classic.
  
  
• Cheap re-make of my favorite childhood classic
  By A2MVQHECR4673S on 2004-03-06
  I loved this game when I was younger and ordered it for my children. But... this game is so cheaply made now! A thin cardboard bottom has the graphics (comes seperated not integrated) and rips VERY easily. The popper is of a thin bent metal tension design that doesn't pop reliably. Very frustrating! We ended up buying a vintage game on [auction site] and love it!
  
  
• Why do toys these days all have to be made like crap?
  By AN882ZFSO5ZI2 on 2005-08-22
  The box was smashed, the popper hardly pops and is totally cheap--in order to get it to pop you practically have to use a sledge-hammer. Certainly my very strong four year old son cannot push the popper down--when one can actually get it to pop, the tactile experience is extrememely unsatisfying and the noise is not pleasant either--more like a 'bang' than a pop. Thoroughly unsatisfying. I would rather pay a few more dollars and get a game that is decently made and comes in a real box that could actually store the toy.
  
  
• Not like the original
  By AQA30PACJAONS on 2005-12-26
  They sure don't make this like they used to. I played this game as a kid and remember it being much more sturdy , with a hard plastic bottom, and the popper not as flimsy. My son recieved this game as a christmas present, and most of the time the popper won't even pop the dice, and the game board it self is very flimsy. It doesn't even come in a hard sided box, just a thinly constructed jacket. Needless to say I'm very dissappointed in the quality.
  
  
• Trouble IS Trouble . . . Because You Can't Put It Down!
  By AT1GMH2UHYROT on 2001-10-20
  You know a game is good when kids not even 10 years old like it. You know is a game is good when grandparents want to play it every time you come over to visit them. And you know a game is good when (in my case) college kids will get together on some Friday night and play it for hours.

  Did I forget to mention that this game is good?!

  "Trouble" is definitely habit-forming, and this is only magnified when you get four people to play. I've been around people who get so competitive (myself included sometimes) that they will literally pound that little plastic bubble that determines how many spaces you get to move. And it doesn't matter how many times you warn them, pounding the plastic bubble is not good for the game (especially when it is your bubble they are pounding!).

  College kids aside, young ones and older ones will enjoy this game, too. I can remember many a time visiting my grandparents' house and this is what we'd play. And if you've never seen a grandparent get competitive, watch out! They just might have a few tricks up their elderly sleeve.

  I also think this toy could be beneficial in education, especially among kids who are just learning to count or something. The game is fun, and when learning can be fun, it's always more enjoyable.

  As far as durability goes, it depends. If you have friends who get really into it and have a tendency to just pound that plastic bubble into oblivian, you may find yourself buying a replacement before too long. But as long as no one gets overly excited, this is a game that will last for years. And only after MAJOR usage will you ever have to replace it.

  If you're looking for something to wet your competitive drive, or you are just looking for a good educational toy for the classroom, "Trouble" is anything but.
  
  

• The funnest board game!
  By on 2002-08-27
  I have an ancient 1993 version of this game and I am in desperate need of getting a newer one! I play it almost every Sunday night with my mom! The educational value is low because all you do is just move things around, which is fun at points. The durability is so low because the one I have is so old the bottom is made out of paper and is kind of messed up, so the durability is low. I love this game anyway. If you are looking for something fun to play on a Sunday that doesn't take as long as Monopoly, pick up Trouble!
  
  
• Elena's Review
  By A31GRQQ7P4ICMK on 2006-01-18
  It is the classic game as I remember. My kids LOVE it. I did notice that the quality of the game board and the pieces has declined just like everything else. I also don't like the box - The game doesn't store well inside.
  
  
• Counting, Fun, and a little bit of Life Lessons on the Side
  By A2LEVKA3U6CXX7 on 2006-12-14
  We introduced our kids (now 13, 10, and 7) to Trouble pretty soon after they were able to count. It's a very simple game to learn, yet fun even for the youngest. Game play proceeds in turns, with a roll of 6 on a single die required to move a piece out of the "base". The object is to get all four pieces around the board and safely to "home". If a player lands on an opponent's piece, it has to go back to the base. That's it. Given the bells and whistles on newer games, I don't think Trouble will stay your child's favorite forever. However, it brings enough fun to the table that they might break it out and play on a rainy day years down the road.
  
  Some observations:
  
  1) The single die is "rolled" by popping it inside the little plastic dome in the middle of the board. For this sheer genius alone, the game deserves to be considered a classic. The little dome is easy enough to work that a small hand can click it, yet it is sturdy enough to hold up when slapped hard. Also, having the die encased this way prevents kids from rolling it all over the room or knocking the game pieces over (a pet peeve of mine). It will not get lost.
  
  2) Having a single die is also the right choice for complexity. Kids get practice first in counting to 6, then in recognizing the numerical symbols of 1 to 6 on a standard die. This links the abstract concept of a number like "five" to the real world example of a set of five spaces that they can move. As adults, we don't realize there is a difference, but for a young child it is one of the first big abstract concepts he or she is asked to learn.
  
  3) The game is not totally luck. There are come choices of movements that younger kids might need to be coached through. They will need to choose which piece to move, whether to go for the safety of the "home" spaces or to try to set back the opponent. Again, simple, but this is a great setting in which to introduce the concept of strategy. That said, there is enough luck involved that kids of different ages can sit down together without someone being at a big disadvantage. If a parent is willing to "coach" the moves of the youngest child, there is no disadvantage at all (Note - don't expect older siblings to see the wisdom of this approach).
  
  4) Hand-eye coordination gets some practice. The pieces are little pegs, and they fit into slots on the game board. This makes the counting easier and guides players to put their token in the proper slot. The act of putting the peg in the slot can be a challenge for little hands, but generally, if a child can do the counting, he or she probably has enough dexterity to move the pieces. (You WILL, by the way, eventually lose a piece or two. Luckily, almost any bit of colored plastic can be substituted.)
  
  5) Life lessons. Kids have probably been exposed to winning and losing by the time they are introduced to Trouble. However, in Trouble, not only can you send your opponent back to start, but THEY can do this to YOU. This is momentarily devastating to a 3-year-old. Seriously, don't be surprised if they cry. It's normal. Be prepared to ease them through this with encouragement and by setting a good example of sportsmanship when your pieces get sent back. If kids can learn this lesson early, they will be much less likely to melt down in Tee-ball a few years down the road.
  
  When I sat down to write this, I was planning a 4-star review. As I wrote and thought about it, though, all of these positive aspects literally changed my mind on my rating. I think that Trouble probably IS only a 4-star game in terms of the pure fun. However, as a teaching tool/game combination, only a few games are in its league. 5-stars.
  
  
  
• Good family game for kids of all ages
  By on 1999-07-17
  One of the first games our family wanted to play together, including 4- and 6-year old children and Mom and Dad. Even the 2-year gets in the action as the designated "popomatic" die roller.
  
  
• Energizing
  By AJ238R16AKLK9 on 2004-11-09
  Purchased this for my daughter at age 2 1/2. She enjoyed the colors, trying to pop the dice, & understood counting. The chase is fun too. She is now age 14 & we are excited about buying it a 2nd time (X-mas) for my son; however, we will be competing. 1 of my favorite games that can go on.
  
  
• Great for preschool/kindergarten aged children
  By A320AC6CXYNKBD on 2005-07-17
  My 5 1/2 yr old loves this game. It is really not complicated, yet holds her attention. Yes, the box hasn't held up well, but I simply put all of our little pieces in a baggie so they don't fall out. We highly recommend this game!
  
  
• Fun and Educational
  By A3PC3LSYOKAQ3N on 2006-10-25
  I think the recommended age for this product of 5 years and up is a little off. My son loves this game. He has been playing it since he was 3. The die in the bubble has numbers on it instead of dots which help kids recognize them.
  
  This has improved my sons counting abilities and number recognition. He loves smashing mom and dad's pieces and sending us back to our start positions. He comprehends the concept of the game perfectly and begs us to play with him all the time.
  
  My daughter is nearly 3, but doesn't quite understand the game. She loves to play with us but putting the pieces on her fingers (they fit perfectly!) and pushing the bubble. Soon, she will get more into it and will be able to play with us for real.
  
  This game has increased family time in our house and countless hours of fun. Any household with preschool children must have this game!
  
  
• Timeless Fun
  By on 2000-03-17
  I have enjoyed playing Trouble since I was a little boy. Now in my Thirties, I still enjoy playing trouble from time to time with friends and family. This timeless classic brings about much fun and folly. A silly way to pass time with a lot of laughs. Revisit your childhood with Trouble!
  
  
• great game for all ages
  By AXZK95H12ZXZB on 2000-12-14
  I purchased this for my daughter when she was 4 years old. She is now 5 and it is still her favorite game. Because it has been so much fun, we have given the same game as a gift for several birthdays-to kids from ages 4-10......Even my grandparents love this game! It's also great for helping kids learn to count!!!
  
  
• Used to be better constructed
  By on 2002-10-08
  I'm sure the nostalgia crowd remembers a sturdier product, but the new one, while made of lighter (cheaper) plastic is still playable. The pop-o-matic is a bit hard to press and it doesn't seem to really randomize the roll of the die. But otherwise, my 4-year-old likes this.
  
  
• Blast from the past!
  By ALRKRZCXOQ9D3 on 2004-02-16
  We got this game for our 5 year old daughter, partly for nostalgic reasons, since we remember playing this when we were kids. She LOVES Trouble, and it is one of the few games I actually don't mind playing either! Sometimes the game can go on for a long time, which can be good thing when you want to keep the kids occupied for a while. I highly recommend this game for wholesome family fun.
  
  
• TROUBLE
  By AQD1VRFDPPWOL on 2006-02-22
  PURCHASED THIS FOR MY GRANDSON AND HE JUST LOVES IT. WE MAKE IT
  A FAMILY GAME AND ITS FUN TO SEE MY GRANDSON LEARN PEOPLE SKILLS
  AND GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP.
  
  
• TROUBLE TROUBLE
  By on 2002-11-13
  Great game, good counting skills, testing patience. Overall fun. My children played trouble starting at 3 yrs old. Would recommend to anyone.
  
  
• My favorite game as a child is my children's favorite game!
  By AZTY4WBRB5MAL on 2003-12-02
  Trouble has become a classic game in the tradition of Monopoly, Clue, Chutes and Ladders, to name a few.

  The concept is simple, depressing the dome tosses the die contained within it (this part is always a favorite for the young ones).

  You then move the number of spaces shown on the die encircling the game board attempting to get your 4 pegs home first.

  The game does not drag on for hours. It is a fast play. Long enough to be fun, not boring or time consuming for children and the adults who play with them.

  This is always a favorite during "game time".

  The hours of entertainment and enjoyment you will receive from this game make it well worth the money!

  For families who enjoy games, this is a must have.

  Rosemary
  
  

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