Customer Reviews

ThinkFun Rush Hour Deluxe Edition

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I hate to give the one-star review to Traffic Jam, but the Deluxe version is really awful. (I have owned both the Deluxe version and the original version.) Apparently, Amazon also hates me to give a one-star review, too, as this is the third time I have tried to publish this 1-star review.

The board and playing pieces are exactly the same size and shape as the original version of Traffic Jam, but in the Deluxe version, the playing pieces have a metallic paint on them that chips off.

Also, in the original version, there is a little drawer beneath the playing board used for storing the cards, unlike the Deluxe version which has no storage drawer.

The original version comes with a carrying case, and the cards, board, and playing pieces all fit neatly into it. The deluxe version is not similarly portable, and the game board, cards, and playing pieces are stored in the flocked plastic molded insert inside the box.

So, while the game itself is still fun, challenging, and totally addictive, this "Deluxe" version is a real stinker when compared to the original!

I just bought the Deluxe version and was disappointed that there is no drawer to hold the cards and that the case is not in the box. The cars are glitzed up with shiny paint but other than that, the game is the same. I prefer the plastic cars in the original game. The game is still just as fun and addictive as ever to play.

After reading all the favorable reviews of the regular Rush Hour game, I ordered this for my 4 yr old daughter who loves playing with cars. I thought it might be too advanced for her, but I decided to give it a try. When she saw the "shiny" cars and trucks in this deluxe edition, she immediately wanted to play. I explained the very simple rules to her and set up the first few beginner level games. I showed her how to get out of the gridlock a few times, but after a few minutes, she was playing on her own and didn't want my help. On the first day of playing, she completed all the beginner and intermediate levels of play by herself!!! I was amazed how persistent and determined she was as the play got more and more difficult.

The concept of this game is very simple. You have a very durable plastic grid play surface where you set up the cars and trucks according to the pictures on the cards. There are 60 cards in this edition with 5 levels ranging from beginner to grand master. The object of the game is to get your red car out of the "traffic jam" by sliding the other cars only left, right, up or down. You can't jump cars or remove them or change the orientation of the cars. If you get stuck, the solution is on the back of each card.

It's a perfect game for travel or any "quiet time". It's also great for when you're at a restaurant waiting for your order to arrive. It's a fun game for older children and adults too. My only complaint, if I have to think of one, is that it would be nice if the cars could slide on the grid more smoothly. It's really not a big deal.

I am not giving this GAME one star, I'm giving this "Deluxe Edition" one star.

This is the 2nd Rush Hour game I've bought. I love it THAT much. But if you've never had this game before, buy the original version of the game. The original version is better because 1) it has a storage drawer below the board for the cards, and 2) has a handy little carrying bag for storing ALL the game pieces.

The "Deluxe" version offers neither of these features. The only thing that makes it "deluxe" is metallic paint on the cars. Disappointing.

I contacted ThinkFun to comment that the game should include a carrying bag, since the little bag is one of the nicest features of some of their excellent games (Chocolate Fix is another one). The first person who wrote back to me said that the pieces of the Deluxe version were designed to fit (i.e. "snap") into the plastic insert in the box (which is a pain in the neck, and I threw the box insert away immediately). The second rep who contacted me at least offered me the opportunity to buy a bag if I wanted to.

So be advised, if you love this game like I do, and are really disappointed about the lack of a carrying bag, you can BUY one from ThinkFun for $2.95. I really hate to spend more money for something I think should have been included in the first place, but I'm going to, so I can stop being annoyed that it didn't come with one.

I bought this after seeing it on The Pioneer Woman's blog. It's been fantastic. We've had hours of fun with it. My family, from ages 6-62, have played it and loved it. We have the Deluxe Edition and am glad to have the extra cards, but the felt covered, plastic mold that the game board is stored in is really cheap and is already broken. The game board itself is great, as are the plastic (and yet metallic looking) cards. I recommend this game highly to anyone. You can almost feel your brain being exercised!!

This is a very fun logic based game. Every one can play from little kids to the "smartest" adults. I was introduced to this game at a friends house and was hooked. I purched a deluxe version (more levels) the next day. I have shown to my wife and and daughter and now when we have family dinner nights my daughter comes over, I fire up the BBQ and out comes the Traffic Jam game. Great fun for all.

My 5.5 daughter just got this game and loves to play it. In fact, she is playing it right now while singing a song to herself about how much fun she is having. Great for problem solving, spatial relations, independent play, etc. Two thumbs up!

My 13 and 11 year old loved this game so we sent it to their 5 year old cousin who also loves it! Fun for all ages that requires thought as well.

My kindergartners were enjoying the jr. edition and some had outgrown all the possibilities in it, so I bought this set. They are still using it, it requires higher level thinking and the conversations as they try to help each other are wonderful. Boys as well as girls are enjoying this game. It takes just a little instruction in the beginning and then they are off on their own, teaching each other how to play.

We gave this as a christmas present to our daughter. She loves it. She is going to use it in her classroom when the students finish their work before the other students.