Connect Four Reviews

• Great Game. Not Durable

  
  By A38N7SFDOB3MR3 on 2005-08-01
  I love Connect 4. I loved playing when I was a child, and now that I'm a parent I love playing with my children. Sometimes we even get crazy and play Connect 3, or Connect 5.
  
  Connect 4 is a classic game that is sure to be popular for years to come. It is a strategy game played in a non-traditional vertical style with players alternating turns hoping to connect 4 checkers either in a straight line, or diagonally. It is extremely easy to learn, and plays in under 5 minutes. With Connect 4 you can have a lot of fun in 30 minutes.
  
  The only problem with the game that I have is it's cheap plastic construction. It isn't durable at all. I wish there was a sturdier alternative available. I would pay extra money for it. In any case, do not let the less than perfect durability factor prevent you from owning and enjoying Connect 4.
  
  

• A wonderful game for pattern building

  
  By on 2000-05-04
  Despite the recommended age, my daughter started playing Connect-4 when she was 4. By the time she was 5 she could beat most adults. Now, at 6, she can beat me about half the time. She started with just a strategy for winning. Then she learned how to fight someone else's strategy, but lost her offensive moves. Finally she graduated to clever offense and anticipating my moves. She's learned to see groups, to see geometric patterns that rotate, to think several steps ahead. It's that time dimension that's really given her the edge.

  What's particularly effective about the game is that the rules are so simple that she can concentrate on the content of the game.

  My only complaint is that after hundreds of playings the plastic slider at the bottom has become a bit loose, and several complex games came to an abrupt finale when the checkers were released unintentionally under the weight.
  
  

• A tic-tac-toe classic

  
  By A2QRB6L1MCJ53G on 2000-09-14
  I remember when me and my grandfather used to play tic-tac-toe all the time when I used to spend the night over there. I was a kid, so when I got Connect Four for Christmas, it became my favorite game for a long time. It's fun for anybody to play no matter how old they are, but it's best for kids who like playing tic-tac-toe. It's a little different from tic-tac-toe, however. You have to get four in a row instead of just three, and you have five columns with five spaces each.

  Connect Four can teach kids some strategy and teach them to be more observant while they're playing the game. I recommend anybody who has a kid around to get Connect Four. The only drawbacks are that it's easy to lose some of the pieces and the two sides of the Connect Four game can break off easily.
  
  

• BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE BUYING!

  
  By A1ZCEQ2I4E44Q2 on 2003-11-07
  I had this game back in 1978, when it was a big 16.25 inches wide. The box I got today was about 9 x 9 inches square. Milton Bradley has severely downsized this game and it looks much less structurally sound than the game I remember. The game may still be fun to play, but the picture and size description here on Amazon do not give an accurate representation of the game being delivered. Shame on Milton Bradley for the weak new version and shame on Amazon for failing to update its image. I will return this and find one second-hand. I want the original, big, sturdy version again.
  
  

• Now That Was Sneaky!

  
  By A2E9Q3T876TQ6C on 2005-06-29
  The goal of this game is so simple yet so difficult. The first player to get four in a row wins. That four in a row can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. The key is to think of dropping your piece in a place where you have more than one option going.
  
  Connect Four is like vertical tic-tac-toe, except it's four pieces in a row instead of three. The board is a vertical piece of plastic that is a grid. Each vertical row has a place on the top where you can drop your "checker" down the row and they stack on top of each other. You can see them through circles in the plastic. Each row is divided so pieces don't fall or roll into other rows.
  
  The game is to be played by two players and suggested for seven-year-olds and older. One player uses the black checkers and the other uses the red ones. Each player takes a turn and drops one checker into the game board. I still haven't figured out if it's better to go first or second! The player that strategically places his or her checkers so that four line up in a row wins the game.
  
  Ok, so it sounds simple, but let me tell you that it can get very complicated. You have to watch out for those sneaky moves. The best player I ever encountered used to work out a plan in his head where he would work on two sides of the board. Then with one drop of a checker, he would have two options to make four in a row and I could only block one of them. Ugh! That is so frustrating, especially when you know he's setting it up and can't see it coming. But then again, when I did see it coming and could either block it before it happened, or sneak one of my own double whammy's on him, it was pure bliss!
  
  This game has been called "helter-skelter checkers" among other things and could possibly be mistaken for a haphazard game of chance. The problem you'll encounter is that if you make a bad move, that may haunt you for the entire game and you'll be playing defensively the entire time.
  
  So don't be fooled by the simplistic appearance of this game. And the first few times you play it the game will probably only last a few moves. But be warned: The more you play, the more difficult it will be to conquer your opponent! This game has almost as much strategy involved as a good game of chess.
  
  There are only a couple of negatives to this game. The black and red pieces can be easily lost and are difficult to replace, as their size is unique and a regular checker from a different game won't work. The board itself is a tad bit flimsy, so don't get frustrated and smack it around or fling it across the room. Once it breaks, you'll be buying a whole new game.
  
  And now for a line of attack if you're interested -- play offensively. That means don't get suckered into blocking every move your opponent makes. Let them stack a few together before you block it and keep to your game plan. The best way is to try to fool your opponent into blocking one of your moves, only to have what they may call an optical illusion come about that lets you place a piece on an entirely different row. Now with that fourth row, the fourth piece falls into place, declaring them the winner. Huh? Ok, so you have three going vertical and when the other guy blocks that, it sets you up to drop a piece on top and have a diagonal four in a row. There's nothing better than a sneaky win like that to bring about a smile.
  
  For an inexpensive, fun and challenging game, I'd suggest adding this to your Christmas list or list of games to play on the next Family Game Night!
  
  
  
• Once You Drop, You Just Can't Stop . . .
  By AT1GMH2UHYROT on 2001-11-08
  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.
  
  

• Fun for all
  By A3CDDXZ9WYJIQA on 2000-12-03
  This game has really stimulated my children as they work hard to put together creative strategies to beat me or, at least, to prevent me from winning. Like other positional games (checkers, chess, etc), this fairly simple easy-to-learn game teaches children to think carefully through the consequences of what both players are attempting to set up. As the children get more experienced, they are starting to look further ahead than just the next turn or two.

  I played this game for hours when I was a kid with my younger sister and brother and, with my father, we had family tournaments that would run over several weeks. For what it is worth, you can jazz this game up (just like chess) by adding a clock/timer so that people's cumulative moves are timed throughout the game. This helps some people from taking minutes to complete their turns if, for example, you set a limit that no player can take more than one cumulative minute than the other or else they lose.
  
  

• fun but easy
  By A3HPYGJ80XRHMY on 2000-11-24
  This is one of the best games I have ever played. It's quick, easy, and takes only a few seconds to learn. I have also invented my own version "Connect Five" for a tougher challenge. You drop two in at a time, but you have to get five in a row. This game, though extremely simple is very engaging, and can be extremely competitve.
  
  
• we love it !
  By A3S7H4YUA2SK5 on 2003-11-12
  I am 8 years old and my brother is 5. We love to play connect 4. Sometimes the left side does not stay on. It falls off a lot. But we still love this game.
  
  
• A Classic
  By on 1999-10-18
  "I win" "Where? I can't see" "Here diagonally" "Pretty sneaky sis"
  
  
• Strategic, Easy, and Variable
  By AA4OR2BMI51VX on 2001-01-16
  Connect 4 is a simple strategy game. The goal is to get four circles of your color in a row in a 7 by 6 grid. Gravity automatically pulls them to the bottom of the column you drop them in. This game is easy to learn, but the number of games possible seems endless. I recommend this for people who like basic strategy games, like checkers and tic tac toe.
  
  
• Fun game but faulty lever
  By AQSX0E8TNEVEP on 2002-12-10
  I played this game when I was little and loved it. Never had a problem with the lever at the bottom that holds the checkers in. I bought this last year to play with my daughter. The slide lever at the bottom that holds the checkers in keeps sliding over during the game. So, every time we make a move, we have to push it to make sure it stays in place. If we forget, it starts to slide over and dumps all our checkers in the middle of a game. I threw it away.
  
  
• A Good Classic Game
  By A3M8R4JD1SIS76 on 2008-04-28
  My mother loved to play Connect Four with her grandchildren. It was a way for her to teach them from a young age to count four items; to sort two colors; to learn to look horizontally, vertically, and diagonally; and to win and lose politely. After she lost her ability to think fast and move her hands with dexterity, we could stimulate her by playing a game. We always had a good time with Connect Four.
  
  The game is amusing enough to entertain an adult while giving children a quick little fun time. This game has been around a long time, and it continues to be one of the best. I wish that the grid support were stronger. I watched my mother wear out several games.
  
  As long as laughter requires no carbon credits, this game is good green entertainment. It burns no fuel.
  
  
• Tic Tac Toe's Older Brother
  By on 1999-08-17
  Take your traditional child hood game and rev it up with more power! Connect four is similar in many ways to its cousin, Tic Tac Toe. Like Tic Tac Toe, the challenge is to line up four of your tokens in a row, while simultaneously preventing your opponent from doing the same.

  Also, like Tic Tac Toe, there is a solution to Connect 4. By solution, I mean there is a way to guarantee that neither player wins, and I mean GUARANTEE. The challenge comes in finding that solution. HINT: red must play in the center column first.
  
  

• This game was a lot of fun, I enjoyed playing it.
  By on 1999-11-01
  Whoever invented this game was an incredibly smart person. I love this game and whoever I play I simply tear them apart. I am unbeaten at this game and will probably never lose, so I thank the person who invented this game for making a game that I rule at.
  
  
• Brilliant Minds of the Future
  By A18RM7WQPMTAJS on 2003-07-30
  Hi. I have played Connect 4 since I was five years old. I was always a "savant" in the game. Having written three "books" on the game, I can honestly say that the game is harder than it looks, especially if you take in the intuition, insight, and take the psychological factor into it.

  It is terribly hard to win against a oppponent who is on their toes, which makes it the most fun, besides matching wits and combating minds on a 7x6 grid. I am trying to wirte to Milton Bradley to ask them if I could have permission to write my secret information as a guide to others.

  The game is extremely addictive. Siblings, beware. Once you get good, you will be playing each other constantly.

  I can't rate the game on a scale from 1-10. It is a 50 to me. So my advice to you is to get a set, play, and build your spacial thought as young as possible. Great ideas often are the byproduct of games and theory. Play well, and HAVE FUN.
  
  

• Pure strategy
  By A1VHK9A4VLJTHC on 2004-04-14
  Taken to an extreme, this game would be the same as tic-tac-toe and wouldn't be fun at all. However, because most of us can't think like a super computer, this game is plenty of fun due to the fact that you're bound to screw up.

  Because I got hooked on the hand held computer version once, I can consistantly kick the butts of my young nephews and my neice, so at some point the game loses it's flavor.

  What is good about this game is that, like chess or checkers, it doesn't have anything to do with rolling dice or getting a lucky card or draw, it's pure strategy. That makes it a timeless and fun game and good for the mind.

  The two drawbacks are that it's just a two player game and if the skill level is too skewed between players, then the fact that luck is not a factor makes it quickly boring.

  Highly recommended game all around and fun to play.
  
  

• Connect Four
  By on 2004-05-25
  This is like tick tac toe.
  Buy it for ages 6-12.
  I got it when I was six.
  But now i'm almost 9
  that's in the age range.
  Why do they have sides?
  The sides go of when
  you start playing.
  Do not use the sides!

  Overall i'm very happy.
  Can't they stop making
  sides? HAPPY KID!
  O
  
  

• Thinking tool
  By A1CQCJ79XH5WLX on 2005-08-27
  My five year old can really play connect four. From the first move he's strategically planning a method to win. Most often, he does. He challenges and beats the entire family and any guests to our house.
  
  
• Excellent Game
  By A1EF4KKJWINFSK on 2005-11-24
  I bought this for my 5 yr old and she had no problem understanding the objective of the game. She wants to play it all the time and the more she plays it, the better she gets at strategizing her moves.
  Great old time favourite. ALso great to take on vacation, you can play it in the airport while waiting for a flight or even on the plane.
  
  
• I don't like it, but others do
  By A26TSW6AI59ZCV on 2004-07-05
  Connect Four is like vertical tic-tac-toe, but to win, a player has to get four in a row, not three in a row. The first player to get four checkers lined up in a row, in any direction (up-and-down, left-and-right, or diagonal), wins the game.
  
  The game is played in a vertical grid of seven slots across and six slots top-to-bottom. Each player gets twenty-one checkers, either red or black, and the game is played by the players taking turns dropping a checker into the grid, where it falls to the bottom of that column. Just as in tic-tac-toe, each player has to do two things simultaneously: try to create a row of four, try to block the opponent from doing the same thing first.
  
  The game includes the grid, two end supports, twenty-one black checkers and twenty-one red checkers.
  
  Information from Amazon.com's product-page: "This game is centuries old, Captain James Cook used to play it with his fellow officers on his long voyages, and so it has also been called 'Captain's Mistress'".
  
  For the game is typically for two players, although team play (two against two) is possible.
  
  My experience: I no longer have this game in my office (I am a child psychologist) but there are several floating around the agency. I have to state, up front, that I have never been a fan of this game. I do not recall playing it as a child, but I can usually enjoy very simple children's games when playing a game against a child who likes the game. That is not true for this game, as I find it boring. However, I have played it many times, as kids tend to love it.
  
  I do like some things about it. There is an element of strategy in it, probably on a par with checkers, or slightly more challenging, but less than backgammon or chess. The game is quite colorful, with red and black checkers, a blue frame, and a bright yellow grid. Each game is fairly quick, lasting from three minutes to fifteen or twenty minutes. Because of the little gate at the bottom of the grid, you can dump all the checkers out quickly, at the end of a game. Cheating is almost impossible, unless someone tries to take turns in a row, or open the dump-gate prematurely, while announcing, "I won!"
  
  This game can be played by children as young as six or seven. It is fairly inexpensive, at a little less than twenty dollars. And, as I stated above, many kids like it, and can play it over and over again.
  
  Okay, now I will give my reasons for not liking it. I find it boring! I would rather play checkers, chess, or backgammon. I did read somewhere that some people fiddle with the rules, creating the faster Connect Three or the slower Connect Five.
  
  The other reason I dislike this game is its instability. It might topple after you sneeze, and it certainly tolerates even mild bumps poorly. The dump-gate at the bottom flips open two easily, and the whole thing tends to sway when someone opens the door into the office. Well, that might be exaggerating, but not much. While it is colorful, it will not take you long to notice the flimsiness as you set it up. Plus, in order to put it away in the box, you have to re-assemble it each time. Re-assembly is easy, but taking things apart and putting them back together, repeatedly, wears anything out, over time.
  
  
• Play it today.
  By on 1999-07-31
  Okay, so I admit the idea of trying to match up four of your tokens and at the same time stop the other guy from doing the same may seem easy, dull and a little old. But if you really sit down and play this game (either as a kid or as an adult) and it is mesmirising and uncontrollably competetive. And, of course the most fun is to be had when the tokens fall from the bottom. But isn't packing up always the most fun?
  
  
• Fun even for adults
  By A154IP7K7KUPUV on 2001-09-30
  The ultimate toy, even for adults. For those who don't know, Connect Four is a game of skill; the object being to connect four pieces in a row, diagonally, horizontal or vertical.
  This game is good for younger people because it teaches them to think, to anticipate their opponents next moves and observation so that a checker won't be slid a prime spot.
  This game is good for adults because it brings back somany memories.
  Either I'm getting stronger or the material is getting weaker because the version that my niece has seems to be very fragile and the legs are either stuck or hard to get on. Otherwise a good buy and guaranteed a few hours of fun.
  
  
• Connect Four Rocks!
  By AMIZLF43R33I5 on 2003-05-23
  I had Connect Four as a kid and played it every day after school with my brother and sister. A decade later and I still enjoy it. Great for kids and adults alike, and it certainly hones your analytical skills. Like I said, Connect Four rocks!
  
  
• How awful can an item be???!!!!!
  By on 2004-03-28
  this item is awful. like tick tac toe, except not as fun. It comes apart ina second and is babyish.
  
  
• An EXCELLENT game with real play value!
  By A3T1LD0C65QCWK on 2005-03-28
  I'd never seen this game before but it's turned out to be one of my two kids' favorite games. It's fun to play with just the pieces and to make simple patterns for decoration when you're not playing the "official" game, and throwing the lever that dumps the pieces out of the bottom is exciting, noisy and fun. Really a great game with real play value, a favorite! BUY IT!!!
  
  
• Provides independent play for autistic son
  By A1K5DUV1L52MUD on 2005-11-27
  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.
  
  
• New thinking
  By A2DD0VNXDWF02J on 2006-09-28
  Connect 4 is a marvelous game. Because of its vertical plane it teaches and forces one to think expansively rather than in traditionally expected paths. It also teaches quick aggressive thinking in that one must become a leader to win or a follower playing catch-up. At 78 I played it for the first time and because of its fast action, omni-directional advance thinking and playing, my mind felt awake and refreshed. An excellent mind game good for young and old.
  
  
  
• Not durable enough for smaller kids
  By A1728LOAC6MRWN on 2006-10-12
  We got this as a gift for my daughters who are 3 and 6, and it was fun while it lasted. Unfortunately, it did not last very long. I realize the age recommendation is for 7-year-olds and up, but I knew that my daughters would be able to grasp the concept, which they did. I just wish it was more durable, because they did like it. Just be aware that it probably won't last with littler kids unless they are closely supervised.
  
  
• Find your old one from when you were a kid.
  By AJW30RHOZC4OY on 2007-02-19
  This is a great classic game. Every family should have it.
  
  Unforunately, like so many games these days, they are making it chintzy. Like others have said, it does tend to fall apart easily after much use.
  
  If your mother still has yours from when you were young, ask her for it. You could also probably find on eBay. The old ones were made much better.
  
  

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