Foxmind Abalone

I purchased this game for my two pre-teen children and myself to enjoy. One of my kids loves chess, but none of us makes a good match to play against him. This game is much easier to understand and think through strategy on for the rest of us in the family, so it's an excellent, inclusive alternative. It was very easy to learn, and while I generally prefer watching the rules to new games on YouTube for simplicity's sake, I did not need to do that for this game. The instructions were clear and easy and we have enjoyed several rounds of this already after owning it for 2 days. My kids are also very texture-sensitive, and the smooth game pieces are very satisfying for them to "click" around from place to place on the board (it's not a real click, the ball just settles very nicely into the spots). It's also got excellent packaging with a nice, sturdy storage box with the perfect spots to store the pieces. Not everyone cares about those details, but we certainly noticed them! How nice when your children look forward to putting the game away when they're done! An all-around fun game I kept in my shopping cart for far too long prior to purchasing!

This game is great! The rules can be explained in two minutes and a match lasts around 15-30 minute (perfect). Also, the dynamics of the game allow for quick comebacks! That is, I've found it easier to force an opponent's marbles off the edge when both players hold similar marble numbers. If you have knocked out four of your opponent's marbles and they have only knocked out one, you may win but it will become increasingly more difficult to keep that lead. If you enjoy unorthodox gameplay and complex strategy with simple mechanics, this game is for you. Pro's: -Simple rules -Wacky strategy -15-30mins for a single match -Appropriate for most ages (toddlers could choke on the marbles) Cons: -The game feels slow at start (the moves it takes for both opponents' marbles to meet) -extra marbles are not provide (try not to lose any of them) -the board's build quality is poor being made of plastic (probably an insignificant issue for common player) I would recommend purchasing this game.

I have many, many table top games (70+). I bought this one on an impulse and I have to say, its one of the best abstract strategy games I have ever played. It's a wonderful balance between being deep enough to be interesting and being light enough to keep moving and never get dull. The game feels like you are in a sumo wrestler ring or something trying to separate and push the other team's player out of the ring. The components in this game are AMAZING from a tactile point of view. Big glass balls that go "clack" when you push them and push very easily. It/'s fun to hear and to feel, as well as to think about. My only bone with this game is a very small one: the box is sloped for no reason. This means it doesn't stack nicely with other board games on the shelf. Really annoying. The game itself is beyond reproach. This is a simple but very special game.

I love Abalone and have loved it for decades since playing tons of games with my dad. It's a great strategy game that plays different every time. I bought the new version in a rectangular box for Christmas as a present to my friend's son who loved the game. The game is still great but the box is much worse. With a square box, the board is much smaller as is the marbles. The marbles are also harder to get out and put back. I wish I spent a bit more money and got the hexagonal box. If it's like the old version, there is a much larger board and marbles. Although I think the board has the same number of hexes. I don't know why they made the redesign. Still a great game though.

Abalone seems to be quite a unique game. While I won't go into the rules, the object of the game is to knock six of your opponents marbles into the gutter that surrounds the play area. You do this by pushing up to three of your marbles at a time across the spaces in the board. The rules are a little confusing the first time you read them, but as soon as you start playing they make sense and, after the second game, you won't need the rulebook anymore. My eight-year-old brother took well to this game, once we had played a little bit. He beat me during the second game! All in all, I say buy this game, but there are a few things to know first. 1. The board is made of plastic. It is heavy enough, I'm not too concerned about it breaking or anything, but the game isn't classically beautiful and I'm assuming it's not going to last forever. (I like to think of everything as a potential heirloom. If it won't make it to that point, I don't like buying it.) 2. The marbles are made of glass and they're the size of the large shooter marbles you used to have when you were a kid. I am so glad that the marbles weren't plastic! 3. The package is slanted, as you can see in the picture. If you've got a closet full of games that are already trying to fall out, like I do, then this game may pose some storage challenges. (Maybe that's an added game?) So, like I said, buy this game! It's fantastic and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

My husband and I love this game, we play it often. It is really pretty, when we are playing around family people are always walking up and asking what "that cool looking game is." Sometimes we leave it out on our table, it just looks neat. It's easy to learn, and re-playable. We bought it several years ago on Amazon and it has still held up despite us taking it during vacations. It packs up into a backpack (we don't put it back in the box, just bring the board, and put the marbles in a bag). Highly recommend as a two player game. 5/5 stars

Great game, but I prefer the travel size version. The board doesn't look particularly nice, and the travel size version is just as easy to use.

This is one of my all time favorite games. I teach students in 3-8th grade and they all love it. The rules are simple but the strategy is ever evolving! It is a pleasing game to play. The kids love the THUNK of the marbles moving. It is also easy to make the game last a shorter time by letting players move 4 marbles at a time instead of three, or saying they need to knock off three marbles instead of 5.