Customer Reviews

Melissa & Doug Shut-the-Box

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

We bought the Melissa & Doug version of "Shut-the-Box" after playing the game at a recent family reunion. This is a great game for almost any age and can include almost any number of players. The one at my family reunion was higher quality, but likely was also more expensive. Here are my observations:

Game Play (Simplified) -
* Players roll two dice (at first) and flip down numbers that equal the sum of the total rolled
* Some rule variants allow the use of only one die after 7, 8, & 9 are flipped down
* Each player continues until he can no longer flip down a tile and then adds up the total of the remaining numbers
* The box passes to the next player and the winner is the one with the lowest score (unless someone "shuts the box" and automatically win by successfully flipping all of the numbers down)

This version includes -
* A Good Looking Game Box; this has an intentionally rustic appearance that is only marginally marred by the obviously plastic window, with the metal hinges and latch being a nice touch
* Dice Bag and Dice; the bag is nice and has a leather(et?) drawstring, but the dice are very rustic appearing and we all have some concern about how random they are (seems to roll 2s a lot) - we have replaced these with standard dice
* Instruction Booklet; contains basic and variant rules

This is a very fun party game and even younger players can quickly learn to play.

Recommended!

CFH

After seeing a shut the box game at my friend's house, I purchased this Melissa & Doug version for my son's 6th birthday. We love playing this game; he thoroughly enjoys it and asks to play it. We have only had it for a few weeks, but it seems like it will be durable enough. This a great coffee table game for adults, as well as beginning "adders"!

I had seen this game in a local toy shop. When I asked the owner about it, he said he wasn't sure how to play it, but it it sold well and he couldn't recall anyone returning it. My daughter loves games, so I'm always on the look out for fun games we will all enjoy. I'm so glad I took a chance and purchased this game.
This is a simply, yet fun game. You can come up with different ways to determine who wins. This has quickly become a family favorite, my husband and I love it as much as our 7 year old daughter. You can play alone or with several players. We take it along with us to family gatherings, to outdoor events to play while we are waiting for the show to begin or when we go out to eat to play while we are waiting for our table and/or food. As with all Melissa and Doug products the quality is great.

This deceptively simple game is addictive. I gave it to my husband for Christmas, but our 7 year old also loves playing. My only complaint would be that the dice are difficult to read because the dots are not well painted.

This is the best version of Shut the Box I have seen. It is great for family get togethers. Everyone can play!

I bought this after playing a version of shut the box at a restaurant/bar in Colorado. This version works fine, but I will be purchasing a larger sized game with regular dice(the ones included are a lighter wood material and don't roll as well). It's still fun, just not a large as I would like.

I purchased this game to help my youngest child improve her speed with simple addition and subtraction. The reviews were positive and it sounded like a cute game.
She LOVES this game! Her older sister and I have a fantastic time playing this game with her. The most stunning thing is the fact that my husband has fun playing Shut the Box! He really doesn't enjoy most games and will usually say 'no' when the kids ask him to play. With this game, HE will ask THEM to play a round!
We have played this every day since it arrived - a few times a day, actually. It really doesn't leave the coffee table. It is an attractive game, not garish and kid-like in color or design.
The instructions are so simple that I figured we would have to throw a few games and let the youngest win to keep her interested. HA! She 'shut the box' before any of the rest of us! As a matter of fact, 'shutting the box' has only happened half a dozen times now. The games are usually won by scores, so it is a HUGE thrill when you can take it down. Hence the addiction - you get so close, and you are sure that if you try just ONE more time, you can do it.

This classic toy is for everyone. It is well made and simple to enjoy. You can even play it during the commercials of your favorite TV show. It travels well. I recommend it.

I ordered this game after playing it at my sisters house. Our whole family just loves playing it. It's one game that even my husband enjoys playing!!

The quality of the product is very good.You can play it as an adult game (making up some drinking rules as you go along is fun) or even play it with kids. My 6&7 year olds love to play it - its great math practice for them. I am very happy with my purchase and love the speedy delivery of Amazon.