Connect 4, a game everybody probably knows (even if by a different name). A game of dropping coloured discs into a vertical grid to try and connect four of the same colour in a row.
Connect 4 (also known as Four in a Row among other names) is a classic board game that has been played since 1974 (almost 50 years). It is a strategic game of disc-dropping fun. The aim of the game is to use strategy to get four of your coloured discs in row; horizontally, vertically or diagonally. It is a game for two players, age 6+ with a playing time of around 10-15 minutes. Think of it as a more advanced version of Noughts and Crosses (or Tic-Tac-Toe if you prefer its other name).
In the box:
- Playing Grid
- 21 Red Discs
- 21 Yellow Discs
- Instructions
Connect 4 is played on a vertical grid. The grid has 6 rows and 7 columns. Each player has 21 discs (counters/tokens) in either red or yellow. To play, players take turns dropping one of their discs into the slots at the top of the grid, watching the discs fall to the lowest available space. The aim is to get four of the same colour discs in a row. The game ends when either one player has four in a row, or the board is full and there is no winner.
Connect 4 is a very simple game to learn and play. That said, it can be challenging when strategic planning, thinking ahead and trying to block your opponent come into play. It isn’t a game of just drop and hope for the best. Not only do you have to think about your own strategy, but you must study the board and try and work out what your opponent is going to do next as well as any future moves (yours and theirs). It can be a very exciting and tense game to play, especially when the board is almost full and every move counts.
Overall, Connect 4 is a fun game to play. There is a reason it has been around 50 years and still being played today. It is a very simple game to understand but trying to win can be a lot harder. It is exciting and rewarding when you win. There is no stealth play, moves are not made in secret, each player can see all the moves being made on the grid before them and can try to plan out not only their next move but moves further down the line. This is a game that can get very competitive and can also get very addictive.
A timeless classic that has been enjoyed by generations of players on family game nights and is still going strong today. I played it as a child and like playing it as much today as I did then (probably more so as I now think more about the moves I am playing). It is a perfect choice for anyone who loves board games and wants to have some fun with a bit of a challenge to their gaming.
Connect 4 is a game with quick game play. You can play it over and over again without getting bored (or is that board) of it. It is available as the standard tabletop game, a travel-sized game with the Grab and Go version and even in giant garden versions.
Can you Connect 4 and get four in in a row before your opponent?
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £13.99
Available to buy from Amazon here.
