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Screw Colonizing the New World. I Want to Flick Something.
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Don't get me wrong. I enjoy colonizing the new world, European imperialism, constructing medieval monuments, corporate takeovers, ancient Egypt, German politics, the Cold War, and Mediterranean civilizations just as much as the next gamer. Participating in a contest of wits with a group of adults can be very stimulating (and even enjoyable). However, in certain situations, stuffy adult games and mature themes just won't cut it. In part, gaming is a form of escapism. I game to forget about that annoying coworker, the mortgage payment, tedious yardwork, looming deadlines, overdue credit card bills, and automobile maintenance. It is fun to discard the heavy mantle of adulthood and regress every now and then. Think back to your childhood. Did you ever use the term suboptimal play, suffer from analysis paralysis, or debate the differences between strategy and tactics? No. Did you worry about seating order bias, prefer games with little downtime, or have a least-favorite mechanic? No. Here on the geek, many of the most popular games are disguised as adult activities. Games are structured, processional, and analytical. As children, play was a lively, carefree activity that was largely experiential. As a kid, play was fun. Yes, play was rollicking, boisterous, jocular, carefree, uproarious fun. How often can you say that about your weekly session of Puerto Rico or Caylus? This list is dedicated to dexterity games that have the ability to make even the most hardened, stoic adult gamers approach play with a child-like wonder and naivety. So, Screw Colonizing the New World. I Want to Flick Something.
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The items in this GeekList are ordered by average rating
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Posted Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:32 am
Edited Sat Jul 4, 2009 2:02 pm
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"The most perfect simulation of football."
"The best dexterity game! In Brazil it is a sport, with organized leagues and regular championships."
The BGG pictures make no justice to how beautiful this game looks. The comments give the sense of how tight the rules are and how big it is in Brazil.
What is unwritten is this game's capacity of attracting people to play it. Whenever there was a table in a "party-like" situation, we were able to put exciting tournaments together with a lot of tension and cheering.
I have an official table at my house and my friends here are always asking to play.
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"Takes Jenga to the next level adding a level of strategy to the game. The pieces could have been done much better, but for a small indie publisher it's a really well done game. The value you get for this game is quite high. If you like a little strategy with your dexterity games this is the one for you."
"lots of laughing and tense moments. An intriguing mix of strategy and dexterity."
"Excellent strategy game. Seductively simple idea but as you play you begin to quickly see how strategy makes or breaks your opponent. Love the game as do my friends and my brother."
"Block building game very similar to Die Aufsteiger. Dice are used to pick the piece you place and then you move your meeple as high as they can go. Movement is restricted several ways including height, color and a clear path. Has a little bit of a Jenga feel also."
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"Fun for young and old, and probably even the dead. It's *that* good."
"If I leave it set up for people to play, it will go nonstop for the entire gaming session."
"it is *very* easy to sit down to a game and still be "filliping" 4-5 hours later!"
"If you don't like it you have no soul."
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4.
Board Game: Zopp
[Average Rating:7.65 Overall Rank:1119]
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"This one has provided many hours of enjoyable family play over the years."
"...the pieces fly like magic..."
"There are so many great shots you can make with this one, it's bound to be a hit..."
"Indoor soccer on glass dust."
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Taktika is a game of medieval style battles that can be played on almost any smooth tabletop.
Play is similar to Crokinole or Carrom in that you are flicking wooden discs. However, Taktika adds different unit types (Archers, Infantry, and Cavalry) that must each move and attack differently.
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"Captures the feel of a tennis match perfectly!"
"It has monkeys playing tennis. That's all I know; that's all I *need* to know."
"Best two player tennis game, high dexterity skills required and surprising amount of strategy once both players develop their shots."
"Highly recommended!"
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"...Reminded me of shooting wax-filled bottlecaps as a youth."
"... my dad got really into it, and was whooping and hollering when he won the race."
"Livens up a room when you play it!"
"... hooting ... hollering ... love it"
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8.
Board Game: Paleo
[Average Rating:7.25 Unranked]
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Although there aren't any comments yet, this game seems very interesting.
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"Simply perfect for what it is! Dice clattering, laughter inspiring pure fun!"
"Hootin' & hollarin' fun."
"The game in my collection that is most likely to have players burst into spontaneous cheering."
"This is a must buy if you like to hang with nongamers and drink beers. This is more fun than darts."
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"...My friend Ben and I would play it for hours 'til our flicking fingers bled..."
"My first Love !!!"
"...simply the best game ever made by humans..."
"...Too bad that fat aunts and jealous cousins always manage to walk on most of the players..."
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"Yep, you can get the adults to play this for ages, too!"
"If you don't like this game then you're either fooling yourself or you don't have a heart. Sure, it's a kid's game and sure it's as mindless as can be, BUT damnit if it isn't fun as hell. Louie giveth and Louie taketh away. Be at zen with the chicken and maybe you too will see why this game demands the following it does. All praise the biplane god!"
"Loads of fun and laughs. Brilliant!!!"
"Great fun! Everybody laughing, priceless."
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"It's tiddlywinks battle galore!"
"Sure its a simple premise and a goofy dexterity game, but it is lots of fun and is good for a laugh."
"I cannot help it, I just love it :-)"
"For me, boardgame perfection. Skill-driven dexterity game....but with a touch of chaos as your luck varies with each shot; sometimes you'll make the most amazing cross-board shot, and sometimes you'll fumble hitting the enemy adjacent to you."
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Another one of my favorite dexterity games - this one involves rolling metal balls down a ramp, trying to knock a soccer ball into your opponent's goal. Loud, messy, exciting, and quick. The only downside is the space it requires (which is why I don't own it).
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14.
Board Game: Carrom
[Average Rating:7.02 Overall Rank:514]
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This week's Chit Chat Film Club film of the week is . . . . . . . . I'M ALL RIGHT, JACK
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The Daddy of flicking games. Very very tricky and very fast.
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"this game always makes me laugh histerically. It doesn't feel too serious and can be played with a wide rage of people, including non gamers."
"Wow, I had fun. The Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things approves."
"There is an element of hope for almost every play. For example, I have landed and seen pieces landed on towers that I thought were for sure going to topple. It is at that moment - after you land it - when you feel a major rush of fun."
"I swear I`ve seen physically impossible buildings!"
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Here is another good one. With a bit of strategy even. And a really big board. And cool bits. Great fun at anytime. Some of the optional rules can add quite a bit to playability and move it past a "move and shoot" game.
Plus its "Piraty"! 
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"Has to be played to be believed. Lots of "ooohs", "aaahs", and "no WAYS" after some of the shots."
"Just one more time!"
"This is the best table-top skill game out there, bar none."
"What a hoot!"
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OK, here is another great one for kids and adults alike. You will be amazed at what subtle pick pockets your children might make.
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This gem from Haba is probably my all-time favorite dexterity game. The animals are adorable, and the game is as silly as any dexterity game, but there's an element of strategy that's not always apparent the first couple of times you play. It's not just about getting your own animals up there -- it's also about making it as difficult as possible for the next guy to get his on the pile!
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Posted Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:30 am
, even though we have (and I love) crokinole.
"
Let's just be grateful that no one mistook the "vulture's eggs" for beer nuts!
