Wiggity Bang's 'Quelf™'— Creatively Inspired 
Quelf has to be one of the most creatively inspired, innovative, astonishingly unique, hysterically funny, spectacularly designed family board games we have seen in a very very long time. This is a positively brilliant game that embodies all of the best aspects of board games and then some— it doesn't last too incredibly long, it's inventively exciting and amusing and it actually relies on rare elements of chance as well as good old-fashioned comedic skill. While I personally do not rush out to purchase party games, this one has tremendously more appeal than the rest of the “pack” in fact, it literally leaves its competition in the dust. Quelf is inspired, imaginative fun. It redefines the entire board game experience and recaptures that innate child-like enthusiasm which used to be a “given” with board games. There are various playing cards which require you and your friends/family to act/perform absurdities accordingly. I think the most appealing thing about Quelf is that it gives each player his or her opportunity to shine... or, as in my case... just turn into a complete blundering buffoon. For instance, my girlfriend is a part-time comedian {at least she is when it comes to my poker nights and my choice of attire on holidays}— so when she had to perform absurd requests, she did so rather convincingly. Not that she isn't, in my humble opinion, the PERFECT lisping archaeologist— but when she began to show off this rather privately-held skill, we were all more than just a bit amused. The cards are plentiful and extraordinarily well thought out. The game doesn't run out of ways to hold your interest— it's a comedic improvisational session that infuses itself into nothing less than "goofy", and best of all, it perpetuates contagious laughter the entire time you play it.

There are five different card types in the Quelf game: Roolz, Quizzle, Stuntz, Showbiz, and Scatterbrainz. Each card category engages players into performing specific activities: Showbiz cards make you sing, mime, dance or sometimes even act out; Stuntz cards ask you to perform some exotic physical feat {contortionists are welcome}; Quizzle cards ask you trivia questions; Roolz cards change the rules of the game in such a way that it's like playing from a plethora of new angles and boundaries; and Scatterbrainz challenge all players to name specific items that match a chosen category. Quelf is an excellent party game. Because Quelf isn’t just a trivia game or some predisposed way to finally convince you that perhaps you were 100% correct in your decision NOT to pursue a career as an electrical engineer; even though your high school guidance counselor insisted that your math skills were "far above average". I have to admit, I entertained myself quite a bit by imagining what it would be like to watch The Sopranos play this game over at the Bada-Bing club. Paulie Walnuts would be rather perplexed from start to finish {although I'm certain the Roolz cards could cause him to implode}; and Tony Soprano would never, EVER engage in the Showbiz cards... but again, I digress.

The Quelf game rules are easy to follow {unless of course you are in a coma}: it's a wacky, nutty, insane race to the final spot on the board. Quelf celebrates the fact that each of us does indeed have a pulse {well, some don't, but I digress} and a brain with enough imagination to endlessly challenge and tax. The folks over at Wiggity Bang have really put their hearts, souls and purely neurotic intentions/episodes into this rare board game gem. I would strongly recommend adding Quelf to your collection as it can provide endless interludes of fun for your entire family! UPBEAT is pleased to give Quelf the esteemed honor of Best Board Game of 2005, an honor that is indeed well-deserved. UB

John Mundazio works for one of the numerous publishing companies in the New York metropolitan area which is currently planning a bold takeover of the parallel universe in which he occasionally resides with several of his imaginary friends and at least two of the strange voices in his head. But he is confident it is not the one you're thinking of at this very moment. Convinced that Susie-Q's are indeed a food group and that no REAL list of fun toys is ever really complete without mentioning "Log"— that quintessential Ren and Stimpy Show toy that boldly dared to go where no toy ever could... "The Dazed-Meister" refuses to partake in anything which requires him to dress up like Wonder Woman or sing the theme song from The Partridge Family in its entirety. He also opposes floatation devices of any sort.
 

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