I’m a big fan of board games. I know they’re not for everyone and that they have this reputation for being boring, but I simply don’t agree. I’m not saying that I would play them all day, every day, until the end of time, but I think a board game a day isn’t so bad. I think it all depends on what game you’re playing and who you’re playing it with. Sure, if the people you’re trying to play Monopoly with absolutely hate the game, it’s not going to be much fun. But if you’re sitting down to a rousing round of Boggle with a master word sleuth, then it’s on for the rest of the night.
So you have to take a second look at the Super Mario Chess Set (ThinkGeek, $39.99) because it’s not some stuffy pretentious version of chess. This chess board trumps a regular old game of chess because the pieces are custom. I know, there are a lot of custom chess pieces out there, but have you seen a collection of 32 hand-painted pieces bearing an uncanny resemblance to Super Mario characters? I think not. This game would appeal to any child, or gamers’ child at heart, and yet is still a fully functional chess set. Now, you could just keep the set tucked away so it can accrue value (and dust) over time. Or, you could actually play it. And let me tell you, you want to play this game. How could you resist a Mario vs Bowser game of chess?
This game would give you some serious geek street cred. Just imagine you’re on your webcam, trying to hit it off with some cyber hottie, and she spots this chess set in the background. You’re golden. Instant second web date.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18.5″ square board; tallest piece is 2.5″
-Includes 32 hand painted pieces, metal collectors box, game board, and instructions
-Chess and Super Mario mash up
-Mario vs Bowser
-Ages 7 and up
