4-10 Players
Release Date 1999
Buy on Amazon

Apples to Apples is quite a unique party game. Most people will be able to have a great time playing this game, but it probably isn’t for everyone. Some people will not like the very freeform judging aspect of the game, which is unfortunate as this is probably the game’s best asset.

The idea behind the game goes something like this: Each player takes a turn being the “Judge”. The Judge draws a green adjective card and all the other players keep a certain number of red noun cards in their hand (depending on how many players there are). The Judge plays the green card face up and reads the word on it and the other players scramble to find the noun card in their hand that best matches the adjective card played. Then the Judge picks the red noun card that he likes best for that round.

The fun part is that it is up to the Judge to decide which card will get picked. Nowhere in the rules does it say that the card has to be the best match (or even a particularly good match) and there is no voting on what card wins. So to get points you have to play the cards that you think the Judge will pick for that round.

For example:
The Judge draws and plays a green adjective card with the word “Sexy” on it. The other three players play one face down red noun card apiece (to keep the example simple): the Tom Cruise, Cindy Crawford, and Homer Simpson cards. Now, depending on the Judge any of those cards could get picked. Females would most likely pick Tom Cruise, and males would most likely pick Cindy Crawford. However, some people (like me) would pick Homer Simpson. Why? Because it is funny.

The part of the game that keeps things moving is the fact that not all of the players will be able to play cards, only the quickest. The slow get left out for the round.

So, you have to not only be quick on your feet to play the right card, but you also have to know the Judge and be able to play the card that he or she will pick.

Dissecting Apples to Apples

Setup / First Run — (9 out of 10)
This game is incredibly easy to setup and play. Most people will have no problems at all. Other than removing cards from the wrappers there isn’t much setup to be done. Your first run should go well as the instructions are well thought out and easy to understand, and the game itself isn’t complex so if you can’t figure out how things work pretty quickly you will probably want to try another game. Like tic-tac-toe.

Innovation — (9 out of 10)
No, this isn’t just another card game. Even though the concept is simple Apples is a very new idea, unlike anything I’ve ever played.

Fun Factor — (9 out of 10)
Everybody I have played Apples to Apples with has liked it and had fun, although I have heard of instances where the freeform nature of the game has caused people to dislike playing the game. I believe these are the same people that subscribe to The New Yorker. Your mileage may vary.

Game Art / Aesthetics — (5 out of 10)
The cards are very plain and generic. There is no artwork other than the logo on the back of each card. Arguably, artwork would distract from the game. The upside to the aesthetics is that if you buy the Crate Edition it comes in a beautifully crafted wooden box. There aren’t many games that come this well made.

Long-term playability — (9 out of 10)
When you play games as often as I do it is nice to find a game that doesn’t easily become old hat. Other party games, like Cranium and Baulderdash, can get old after awhile…to the point that you’ll only bring them out every once in awhile. Apples to Apples has become the game that you always bring with you. And it usually gets played.

Summary — (9 out of 10)
Don’t do the math on this overall rating. Although the ‘Art’ did get a lower score, it would detract from the game to have it on every card…not to mention increase the expense quite a bit. Overall, if you get together with 4 or more friends and play games occasionally you’ll probably want to get this game.

Enhancing Apples to Apples

Sure, Apples to Apples is great in its current form, but the following are for the adventurous types who are looking for an even better time. You probably won’t find it here, but thanks for thinking well of us. Anyway, here are a couple of revisions to the game play that you might want to try out with a group who won’t disown you easily.

Betting
The idea here is that everyone would put in an ante to play a card, before the green card is revealed (except the Judge). Then after all the red noun cards have been played (play happens like normal), you can bet on whether you think your card will win or not. Betting should work like it does in poker, start with one player and you can either make a bet or check. To “stay in” you must have the same amount in the pot as the highest bet, or you can fold.

Then the Judge picks the winning card. If the owner of the winning card has folded, the Judge picks a new card, etc etc until a winner is found…who then collects the pot and the next hand starts. The game ends when one player controls all the chips (or money if you are feeling exceptionally dumb).

Slim Pickin’s
This example is for four players, but it can be adapted to any number of players
Deal out 8 green cards face down and deal 6 red noun cards to each player. Each player takes a turn being the Judge (like normal) and you will make 2 revolutions around the table. The difference is that you will not draw any new red cards into your hand (so after the last hand everyone will be out of cards). So your choices to pick from get slimmer and slimmer with each round. Obviously, each non-Judge player will get to play 1 card and only 1 card so the quick play won’t be a factor.

Double Trouble
This version has the Judge picking 2 green cards instead of just 1. Both are played at the same time and the other players must play one red noun card that either:

• Matches both cards the best
• Matches one card very well and the second card very poorly
• Matches both cards the worst

The Judge must announce beforehand which of the three he/she will be looking for before the two green cards are played. The winning card owner gets to take both green cards. And, of course, you’ll have to double the amount that you are playing to.

Just Plain Odd
This one is only for those of you who wake up in a straight jacket and only get to play Apples to Apples after you’ve taken your medication. The game play goes as normal but before playing the green card, the Judge must announce how he will be judging this round. For instance, the Judge might say “I will be Judging this round as if I were George Washington” and then after all the red cards were played he would pick the red card that he thinks old Georgey would pick.

And it gets funner when you start Judging as inanimate objects. “I will be Judging this round as a tree root”.

Tags: Boardgames · Card games · Reviews