Break the Board

£19.99

Like Jackie Chan and the Dayman, you too can become a master of karate. Or, your kids can, anyway.  The Break the Board game has somehow managed to turn chopping a board in half into an electronic game. This is a fun, unusual game that make a great gift for any martial arts enthusiasts this Christmas. (But, if they’re really into the sport, do think about getting them actual classes, too!)

Break the Board can be played solo or with a group of up to ten. It has four play modes: training, level up, freestyle and competition. At first, I was sceptical of the notion, but the way this game has been designed is really fun. The look of the thing is brilliant to start with, really putting you in mind of the cartoons that might have gotten your kids karate-chopping the air in the first place, and the different play styles means this has much more entertainment value that I first anticipated. The game uses sensors to recognise what motions players are making, between chops, swipes, strikes and breaks. The board has different lights that signals which move you should make; to break the board, you must perform different sequences that increase in difficulty as you go on – it's kind of like a karate Bop It!

This is a fast-paced, fun game that challenges speed and memory. It’s got a clear novelty hook, it has loads of replay value, and it can be used alone or in a group – aka, everything you need from a game or toy! Suitable for ages 6 and up, this could be a fun gift for your future blackbelts this Christmas.

5/5

Pros:
Colourful design
Solo or group play
Up to 10 players
Tests speed and memory
Fast paced and fun