Pop Insider Editor-in-Chief Marissa DiBartolo stopped by NBC Portland to show off some great board games for grown-ups that will be sure to spice up your next party. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the product notes below. For the holiday season’s geekiest gifts, be sure to check out Pop Insider’s Holiday Gift Guide.


THE CHAMELEON (BIG POTATO)

  • The Chameleon is a sneaky, social bluffing game. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and puts everyone’s poker faces to the test!
  • The goal is simple: Find the guilty player with the Chameleon Card.
  • If you’re the Chameleon, the goal is even simpler – blend in and don’t get caught.
  • All but one player has a Code card with dice numbers, which guide them to a secret word located on a Topic Card, but one player has The Chameleon card and doesn’t know what the secret word is.
  • Prove that you’re not the Chameleon by each shouting out one word related to the secret word, and use your detective-skills to interrogate each other and vote for who the Chameleon might be.
  • The player with the most votes must turn over their card to reveal their identity. If the player has a Code Card, the Chameleon wins the round.
  • If that player is the Chameleon, the player gets one guess at what the secret word was. If guessed correctly, The Chameleon still wins!
  • The Chameleon includes 40 Topic Cards, 1 Dry-wipe Topic Card, 14 Code Cards, 2 Chameleon Cards, 2 die, and 1 dry-wipe pen.
  • Ages: 14+
  • Players: 3-8
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Target

 

THROW THROW BURRITO (EXPLODING KITTENS)

  • Throw Throw Burrito is a family-friendly party game unlike any you’ve played before.
  • It’s a combination of a card game and dodgeball where players go head to head collecting cards, earning points, and throwing squishy toy burritos at one another.
  • Perfectly suited for family game night and an adult get together with only 2-6 players needed to get throwing.
  • Includes 120 cards, 7 tokens, and 2 foam burritos soft enough to throw them at your Great-great Auntie Marlene without having to feel guilty.
  • Ages: 7+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Target

PICTIONARY AIR (MATTEL)

  • Pictionary Air is the newest Pictionary experience that’s just as much fun as it is innovative. 
  • The game includes a special light-up pen tip and pairs with a Pictionary Air mobile app.
  • The gameplay is similar to the original Pictionary, except the drawer uses the light-up pen to illustrate their clue in the air.  
  • The guessing team points the in-app camera at the drawer, and their masterpiece will appear on the screen.
  • Includes the option to record the drawer’s turn for hilarious replays.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

5 SECOND RULE SPINTENSITY (PLAYMONSTER)

  • Like the popular 5 Second Rule, players have to name 3 things in a category, but now the time is random and you may have to do more! 
  • Every time you finish naming three things, spin the spinner to see what to do next: name more things in that category, pick another card or pass to the next player. 
  • Just keep going because when the timer stops, if it’s on your turn, your chance to score points is done! 
  • The all-new timer is now random—maybe it’ll stop after 30 seconds, or maybe 45…you never know!
  • Spin the wheel to see what to do next, every game is different! 
  • Just keep going, when the timer stops and it is your turn…you don’t get any points!
  • Ages: 14+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Amazon, Specialty

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Director of Operations at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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