Game Review: Slambango! {Multiplication}

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Slambango! is available directly from the creators here.

{I purchased this game and, as always, all opinions are my own!}

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I discovered Slambango! while spending the day as a vendor at a homeschool convention in California this summer. The venue was very small and the event was not overly busy which made it super easy to hear what was happening at other vendors’ booths. For hours I kept hearing exclamations of excitement and cheers of victory coming from a booth at the other end of my aisle. During a break, I wandered down there to see what the fun fuss was all about and that’s where I was introduced to Slambango! But, even better than the card game was the team behind it: a retired classroom teacher, who used to print this game off for his students to play, and his adult son, who encouraged his father to turn his creation into something marketable to the public. The father obviously had a heart for students and the enthusiasm he had to share this gem of a game was contagious. I do not know if this was their first homeschool convention or not, but I sure hope to see them at more! Read on for a detailed REVIEW.

Game Review: Slambango! {Multiplication}

• multiplication {2×2 through 8×8}

SKILLS PRACTICED: 

• speed

HOW TO WIN: Win a hand by being the first player to play his/her cards by matching up your answer with the shared problem.

HOW TO PLAY IN ONE SENTENCE: Solve the Slambango! multiplication problem on the shared card and be the first to place one your own answer cards on it.

CLARITY LEVEL: ♥♥♥♥♥ There are four different instruction cards including What’s Included, Ways to Play, How to Play and Game Set-Up. Everything is clear and concise. The steps of playing are very simple to follow and there is literally no room for confusion. We read the instructions one time and never needed to reference them again. There is also a video of how to play found here. CLARITY LEVEL SCORE: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT: ♥♥♥♥__ Slambango! comes in a small card box with 49 cards and four instruction cards. The cards are the typical playing-card size, thick enough to be sturdy and coated with a play-friendly slick covering. The font is easy to read to allow for quick play and the problems face both directions which is imperative for the game. Unfortunately, the box was super flimsy and pretty worthless. Fortunately, the creators recognized this issue and also included a plastic sleeve as well. Though the sleeve works much better and will likely hold up fine for us, it may not fare as well in a setting with multiple kids. Of course, it would be an easy solution for the parent/teacher to find something that will last longer and allow for neat shelf-stacking. ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT SCORE: ♥♥♥♥__

EDUCATIONAL VALUE: ♥♥♥♥♥ If knowing one’s multiplication facts in an instant is important, and we all know it is, then Slambango! is packed with value! It offers pure practice on getting those facts down cold! This set includes 2×2 through 8×8, which may seem too shallow for some, but it does make it attainable for kids just starting their multiplication journey. And, there is a Level 2 which covers through x12. EDUCATIONAL VALUE SCORE: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

OVERALL SCORE: ♥♥♥♥__ My teenage son and I both loved Slambango! It’s simple to learn, quick to play and packed with fun…all while focusing on the necessary skill of mastering multiplication! OVERALL SCORE: 95% ♥♥♥♥_

Game Review: Slambango! {Multiplication}