Bananagrams
Create words as fast as you can in a crossword grid; whoever uses all their tiles first wins. It's really easy to understand, can be played solo and is very replayable. It's a game that belongs in everyone's collection and has become a holiday favourite.
Bananagrams: Quick Summary
Score:
9/10
Number of Players:
1-6
Time to Play:
15 minutes
A brilliant game, well designed, fun and with loads of potential playing variants. Its clever bag means you can take it anywhere, and it's as good for a group as playing on your own.
What we loved:
It's portable and very easy to learn
It's fun ("peel"!)
It's a good game for a wide range of ages and interests
It's cheap, but the components aren't
It's fast and can be furious - in a good way!
What could be improved:
It is word-based, so people who struggle with word games won't love this
It isn't necessarily strategic, and can be very reactive
How to play Bananagrams
Bananagrams is a fast-paced word game where 1-6 people place words into a Scrabble-esque grid, where the tiles you place must make words from letters already on the table. Players start with a pile of letters each (decreasing based on the number of people playing at once), and they must keep creating words until they've used up all of their letters. Each time a player runs out of letters, they shout "peel" and then everyone must take an extra letter from the Bananagrams letter pile. Once the pile has run out, whoever uses their remaining tiles up first wins the game.
This is such a simple premise, and because the game is played at pace, there is an ebb and flow as words are placed quickly and then suddenly you get stumped and rack up extra letters while others nudge into the lead. The winner isn't always the person who places the most or longest words, it is often the person who can keep playing and forcing others to take extra letters.
It's also a game that works as well with 2 people as it does with 6. Certainly with more players, the game feels more frantic, but even with 2, the game is quick and exciting. If you enjoy quick games that can be setup and played in a few minutes then Bananagrams is a great option for you.
Travel with your tiles
Bananagrams is one of a relatively small number of games that work really well as a solo game. The opposite of the frenetic pace in the main game, playing a solo game is a cosy night in, considering your tiles, and how to use all the letters in the bag. It's a calming, considered game. There are many different playing variants for both solo and group games, which means Bananagrams has a very long shelf life compared to a lot of other games.
The bag and tiles are also a clever combination. The game is small and squishy, which means you can cram it into your bag and play it on the train or even on your lap tray on the plane. The bag is machine washable, which again makes it perfect for holiday or a long commute, and the tiles will wash clean if they ever get grubby. If you ever lose them, there are dozens of ebay or etsy sites where you can buy replacement tiles.
The game manual is small but easy to follow, plus the game rules are online as well, in case you ever misplace them. The game is so simple that you can teach someone how to play within ten minutes, and every game will be unique.
The pros and cons in detail
What we love:
As we've mentioned, the design of the game is brilliant. Physically, it's easy to store away at home, easy to travel with and easy to play on the go. In terms of game design, it's exciting, fast and a good cerebral workout. The fast turnaround of games means you can binge a number in a short amount of time without the game ever feeling the same.
Bananagrams is suitable for a wide range of ages; the manufacturer recommends 7+, which is about right considering the reliance on spelling and lexical recollection. You could play this game with younger children if it were a cooperative variant, and it would certainly help develop skills.
This is also an inexpensive game, and with the amount of plays it will receive in its lifetime, it is exceptional value for money.
What we would improve:
This is a word-based game, and it is quick, which means that people who struggle with spelling, creating words quickly or language in general will struggle to play this game effectively. It's also a game with a certain level of dexterity required, so this should be in mind when considering if this would be a fun game for people who don't enjoy or struggle with these elements.
It's also not a strategic game in its multiplayer format. It is proactive, but you need to quickly react to the game as it changes constantly, which does not lend itself to formulating strategies. This isn't a negative from our point of view, but if you prefer a quiet, studied word game - then this isn't for you.
Bananagrams: A summary
This is a modern classic, brilliant design, fast and fun gameplay and great on your own or with up to 6 people. Pop it in your suitcase and play it with a Sangria in hand while away on holiday. Bananagrams is versatile, low cost and an essential addition for any board game lover.
Expansions and Related Games
Expansions
There is a plethora of different expansions or variants for Bananagrams, including Bananagrams Duel, Bananagrams Party Edition, My First Bananagrams, Big Letter Bananagrams and Bananagrams Signature Edition. The original is still the best, but many of these take an interesting slant on the game mechanics.
Related Games
If you love Bananagrams then you should also consider other word games such as the OG Scrabble, Boggle and Cobra Paw. If you're looking for a small travel game, then consider Micro Dojo, Whale to Look and Fungi.
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Bananagrams: Frequently asked questions
How does Bananagrams differ from Scrabble?
Bananagrams is a fast and frenetic game of creating words in a Scrabble-like construction using tiles like Scrabble. But where there are turns and a considered approach in Scrabble, Bananagrams is fast and frenetic. Both are fun, but where you will play Scrabble with a cup of tea in hand over an evening, you will play twenty games of Bananagrams in the same time.
Is Bananagrams easy to play?
Bananagrams is extremely easy to pick up and play. It's a great gateway game for people who love word games, but want something quicker and more exciting than Scrabble. It's also good for a wide range of ages, from 7+ and up to six people.
What skills does Bananagrams help develop?
Bananagrams requires a wide vocabulary and the ability to spot potential words rapidly so you can play your letters as quickly as possible. This is a great game for developing knowledge of a wider range of words.
Transparency Notice
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