GAMES & JIGSAW PUZZLES

Ten furlongs are condensed to (7) inches, with very small horses, in the Desktop Derby, a 6-horse straight track that lets you win money while you teach the children the evils of pari-mutuel betting. The electric track pulsates and moves the nags along at a pace of about 45 seconds per race, with heart-stopping lead changes. The best part is that they're un-handicapable: a different horse, in a different lane, seems to win every time. Measures 9-7/8" x 3-1/2" x 2" high and runs off (2) "AA" batteries, included. (Stable the horses in the base between races.)

This puzzle’s in our pocket, and yes, we’re excited to see it. You will be, too, because it will help you finally memorize the symbols for all of the lanthanides and actinides. Imagine a very detailed, full-color periodic table composed of (150) pieces, each of which would just about cover the thumbnail of an adult copywriter. Assembled, it’ll measure approx 6" x 4". Also comes with a 4-1/2" x 3-1/8" periodic table chart, and it all travels nicely in a clear 6” x 1” tube with a screwcap.

Numerate, are you? Find out with this Ninja Assassin Sudoku book of (248) puzzles--(2) per page, plus solutions--in a 176-page paperback. Puzzles are intermediate level, easy to easy medium, by Frank Longo from Puzzle Wright Press. Best part is you can ignore the $6.95 cover price.

Deuces, but they're approx. 5-3/4" tall x 3-3/4" wide. For folks with really big paws, or really bad eyes, these oversized playing cards, the standard (52) plus a pair of giant jokers, is the answer to a prayer - and nice decorations for a Las Vegas night, to boot.

Yes, boys and girls, Fluxx, the card game with the rules that keep changing, now adds the Doctor (Who?) version, and they were made for each other. Includes, of course, plenty of time-travel and regenerations of the Doctor, K9, and Gallifreyan technology, but beware of Cybermen, Daleks, Weeping Angels and the Master. Includes the standard 100-card deck, and instructions for 2-6 players ages 8+.

A "Beam-Bending logic game," The Laser Maze™ is from the same madmen who created laser chess. You get a 25-position game-board with (5) target mirrors, (2) beam splitters, a double mirror and a cell blocker. Includes (60) challenge cards with puzzle solutions and a symbols key card, plus instructions. Fosters strategic thinking, problem-solving and logic. For ages 8 to adult--basically anyone who likes to watch beams bounce around trying to hit a target. Runs on (2) button-cell batteries, included.

Fluxx®, the card game with rules that change while you play, has gone chemical. Cards feature your favorite elements, released from their table at last, plus sundry lab items. Includes our new favorite rule: draw the Helium card and you must speak in a falsetto voice. Ages 12+.

Put an arcade in your pocket with this tiny pinball game. Has (3) teensy BBs, a plunger, spinners, ledges and variable point scores, all in a 3-3/8” x 2-1/4” x 3/8” thick plastic housing. We’ll pick two different with a jungle hunt, Indy 500, space race or cowboy theme because we’ve played ’em all, from Soho down to Brighton.

That’s probably what’s causing that wobbly feeling in your stomach. Also, evidenced by this Star Trek™ Fluxx® card game, the game that keeps changing while you play. Comes with (100) cards featuring Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest of the original crew battling Romulans and Klingons. For 2-6 players, ages 8+. Imported especially for us by the Ferengi.

What if you crossed Boris Spassky with Han Solo? Checkmate with a beam of light. This is the former KHET 2.0, now updated to a space chess theme. Includes (26) game pieces, including kings, switches, defenders, deflectors and lasers, all on an 8 x 10 grid game board that measures 12” x 9-3/4”. Features (5) distinct board starting set-ups, and is a two-player game for ages 8+. Trust us--it’s a blast. Multiple award winner including Mensa Select Winner, Parent's Choice Silver Honor Award, National Parenting Product Award Winner and others. Includes replaceable button-cell batteries, too.

New Sudokun hope for the English major or art student in your life. This clever, non-numeric Sudoku puzzle uses colors instead of numbers on the (9) 2” cubes with 1/2” squares. Position them in the tray so that no two colors are adjacent, and you win. Has two trillion (2,000,000,000,000) combinations and over 500,000 solutions. For ages 8 to adult, but frankly we don’t know why. From ThinkFun®.

Poker gets art-directed. Our each is a stack of (100) stackable poker chips, none of them red, green or yellow. You’ll get (25) each in maroon and midnight blue, plus (50) in a nice pale gray. Makes you want to dress a little better on game night.

What's afoot? It's the thing at the end of your leg, with the toes on it. But the games that are afoot here are all updates on the classics you grew up with. We'll pick a pair from our collection that includes Frustration!, Who's There?, Naval Command, Inline and Ooops!, which is our favorite based on name alone. All for ages pretty-little and up, this electronics-free family fun is for folks hunkering down and running out of things to amuse themselves with. When the hunkering is over, though, the amusement continues with these timeless games.