Uno Extreme. Sounds like the name of an Italian night-club. Or an urban fashion label. Or a sport that would send an insurance company into a frenzy.
Er, no. Nothing so exciting – it’s actually the name of a variation on the humble family card game, Uno, produced by Mattel. ... Read review
This Uno Extreme Card Game game is a race to get rid of all your cards. The dispenser ... more
fires up to 8 cards at one time and watch out for the special action cards. This game is suitable for 2-10 players and for children aged 7 years upwards.
Postage & Packaging:from £4.85 Availability:refer to website
Faster and more unpredictable than the original game, UNO Attack/Extreme version gives ... more
players a random number of cards from theelectronic dispenser, that they have to get rid of - fast. Command cards give players different strategic advantages, while there are plenty of trip-ups to watch out for.This game is suitable for 2 to 10 players, and is recommended for children aged 7+.
Postage & Packaging:£3.95 Availability:In stock. 3 working days
Advantages: Funny. For groups of up to 10 players. Family game. Disadvantages: Expensive. Takes longer than the original Uno.
Uno Extreme. Sounds like the name of an Italian night-club. Or an urban fashion label. Or a sport that would send an insurance company into a frenzy.
Er, no. Nothing so exciting – it’s actually the name of a variation on the humble family card game, Uno, produced by Mattel.
Games in my household rarely bear any resemblance to those pictures on the boxes. You know, the ones of smug-looking families having ... .../>
Normally, a pack of Uno cards will set you back about a fiver. If you add in the motorised card launcher, or MC-L as I like to call it (sounds so much more urban, don’t you think?) you will have to add on another £10. That’s a lot of money for a chunk of plastic. Then you have to bung in 3 AA batteries, which don’t come with the game. In total, it’ll set you back about £18.
Uno Extreme. Sounds like the name of an Italian night-club. Or an urban fashion label. Or a sport that would send an insurance company into a frenzy.
Er, no. Nothing so exciting – it’s actually the name of a variation on the humble family card game, Uno, produced by Mattel.
Games in my household rarely bear any resemblance to those pictures on the boxes. You know, the ones of smug-looking families having “quality” time together. Rarely does a game end with everyone still sitting calmly around the table, sweetly congratulating the winner… “Hey! Well done Mum!”
So in many ways, the addition of a piece of kit called a “motorised card launcher” in this version of Uno, is rather like having another family member to play with. It sits there, silently for the most part, but when you press the right buttons it chucks an arbitrary number of cards at you in a pretty aggressive manner.
Normally, a pack of Uno cards will set you back about a fiver. If you add in the motorised card launcher, or MC-L as I like to call it (sounds so much more urban, don’t you think?) you will have to add on another £10. That’s a lot of money for a chunk of plastic. Then you have to bung in 3 AA batteries, which don’t come with the game. In total, it’ll set you back about £18.
So why bother?
I bought Uno Extreme for my youngest son last year on his 9th birthday, mainly because we’ve always liked the original Uno. The advertising peddles this version as "Frantic Family Fun!” which did worry me slightly as the phrase "frantic family" with "fun" seems a bit oxymoronic to me. However, the addition of the MC-L can certainly notch the game of Uno up a couple of gears, and it also makes the game pretty funny, as well as adding a lot more uncertainty.
To explain what I mean, you’ll first need to have a working knowledge of how a basic game of Uno is played. Here’s a brief synopsis for those not in the know:
***(Uno aficionados can re-join me later …)***
The Basic Game ‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’''''''' An Uno pack consists of just over 100 cards. About half of them are “Normal Play” cards. These are numbered from 0-9 and can be yellow, blue, green or red. The remaining cards are a variety of “Action Cards”.
Between 2 and 10 players can join in. Each one is dealt 7 cards from the shuffled pack. The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile. The top one is turned over and starts off “The Discard Pile”.
The object of the game is to be the first person to reach 500 points. Several rounds of Uno are usually played before anyone reaches 500. To accumulate points, you need to be the first in a round to get rid of your hand of cards. The points value of all the remaining players’ cards is then added together – this is your total for that round.
To get rid of a card, you have to match the one showing on the Discard Pile when it’s your turn. It must match in colour, number or word. If you haven’t got a suitable card, you have to pick one up from the face-down pile. Sometimes, you’ll have to follow the instructions of an Action Card, which unfortunately may mean picking up several cards at once from the face-down pile, or missing your turn.
When you put down your penultimate card, you must shout “Uno!” (signifying you have only one card left). If you don’t, you’ll have to pick up additional cards, thus expanding your hand again.
Uno is supposed to be suitable for children over seven, but I’ve played it with kids aged six without any trouble.
*** (Ah. Experts – welcome back.)***
The Extreme Version ‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’''''''' In the Uno Extreme box, you’ll find a pack of cards much the same as the basic Uno. (However, there are a couple of extra Action Cards, so check the enclosed rule sheet for their functions.)
Then there's the MC-L, which comes in 2 pieces. These click together very easily to produce a garish red/purple/yellow plastic contraption about the size of a small melon. Inside, there’s a gap which holds the main pack during play. A toothed wheel is in contact with the pack, and this is what drives the cards through a thin hole when the launch button is pressed. On top, there’s a tray which holds the Discard Pile. The pictures below will show you what I mean.
Now, normally during a game, if you can’t lay down a card on your turn you have to pick one up from the pack. In Extreme, you turn the MC-L to face you, press the chunky button and …..well, that’s the fun bit; you don’t know what’s going to happen!
You might get 10 cards spewed at you – and I do mean spewed as in the projectile sense. (Although it doesn’t feel particularly robust, this little gadget packs a punch.) Or you might get 1 or 2 cards. Or you might be very lucky and get none. There’s no way of knowing – it’s a random response. And this is the bit that causes the hilarity, especially with my nine-year-old and his mates.
You remember that game at school where you had to try and slap your partner’s hand before they moved it away, and sometimes you went as if to slap them, but you were really bluffing? The MC-L is a bit like that. You press the button and you’re not sure if the damn thing’s going to get you or not. Anticipation is built up further if you have to press the launch button several times in a row –a consequence of the previous player laying down one of the selection of Action Cards.
Which brings me to a couple of the disadvantages of Uno Extreme. Whilst you might take a sadistic pleasure in seeing some poor soul get showered with 20 or 30 cards, it’s actually a real pain to try and fan so many out in one hand, and impossible for kids. Also, because you’re more likely to accumulate cards in this version of the game, it can take an age for someone to finally lose all their cards and bring the round to a close. In other words, it can get a bit long-winded and tedious.
Recommended? ‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’''''''''''''''''' If you’ve never played Uno before, I would buy the original first. It's almost as much fun as Extreme, and a great deal cheaper. Don’t bother getting the character alternatives either – Harry Potter Uno, Incredible Hulk Uno, Barbie Uno – the list is endless, and tacky.
If you enjoy Uno already, then you might appreciate the option of having a more active version available for a change. I think we probably play this about a third as often as our trusty Uno original. As I say, it's a pricey alternative, but so far, we haven’t had to replace the batteries (admittedly long-life ones) and I guess we’ve played it about 20 – 25 times. The MC-L is still working well, so appears to be reasonably durable despite appearances.
If you do decide to give this a whirl, you can get it for £14.99 on Amazon or in most toy shops. Don’t forget to buy the batteries as well!
Have fun!
(PS: In spite of the “do not try this at home” blurb on the instructions, I must admit we are very tempted to see what else the MC-L is capable of launching, so any ideas would be most welcome. Interestingly, the American version of this same game is called Uno Attack. I’m saying nothing.)
Advantages: Great fun, surprises everytime Disadvantages: small children can also get unlucky games!
...while. So here comes the Uno Extreme, which will surprise you no matter how many times you play it there's always another twist.
This product is produced by Mattel which is a trustworthy company who have provided many toys for children over the years. This game is no exception as it is enjoyable and fun. They recommend the game for children over the age of seven but it is a simple game which can easily be picked up. I have often played with m y ... ...stuck during a game of Uno you have to pick up a card however in this game you have to press the button on the card launcher. This shoots out a certain number of cards. Sometimes you won't get any however you can get one or more. This can completely turn the game about, I remember once when I was down to one card and had to press the button and I got nine cards! I was then losing all because of one button.
Also inside there is a pack of 100 cards ...
tiger645 28.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Uno Extreme
Advantages: Great game for children and adults. Disadvantages: None
...we have played the traditional Uno card game for years. A couple of Christmas's ago my son who was 9 at the time put Uno Extreme on his Christmas list. I couldn't see the point of buying this as I thought the ordinary game was good enough. His Christmas list however was shown to various family members as usual. Father Christmas kindly left my son this much wanted game on Christmas morning and Father Christmas was also on the ball enough to leave ... ...he?). That afternoon the batteries were put in the bottom compartment which was easy and opened with a screwdriver so little fingers couldn't mess with them. The game is presented with a pack of cards and a red and purple plastic machine with a button on the front. The playing cards are stored inside when not playing and there is an on/off switch on the bottom so it is very easy to store in a cupboard and the batteries won't run down. I was in charge ...
Meggysmum 02.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Uno Extreme
Advantages: Easy to pick up and play, family fun, Inexpensive Disadvantages: Cards sometimes stick
...and larking while the electronic Uno machine randomly spits out anywhere between 1 and a bunch of uno cards just when you are about to win. If you have already played the Uno card game you'll find this very similar with a few added extras which up the fun factor.
We sat down with the boys on Boxing night to play and I left it to hubby to install the 3 size C batteries. We then placed the Uno Extreme gizmo in the middle of the Dining table and began ... ...The box contained the uno extreme machine, rules and a pack of cards which were similar to normal Uno cards being four colours, red, blue, green and yellow and numbered 1-9. There are also a number of special cards which are what causes the friction and fun to fly.
- - The Game - - You deal out 7 uno cards each and place the remainder of the cards into the uno extreme machine. The idea of the game is to be the first to get rid of all your cards, ...
sandra102 14.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Uno Extreme
...Do not worry the Uno game is made to only fire the cards down the way so the only part of your body it would hit would be your hands so you are able to just pick them up easily with no fuss.
Another question you might want to ask is what if the cards, when they come out turn over and everybody sees my cards. The answer again is no because Uno just fires them down towards you and no rotation is involved, making the game of Uno very fair.
The cards ... ...the launcher button on the Uno pad twice, but if the player next to you has a "hit two" card this will then double up the amount of times you hit the launcher and this continues till a player has not got that card and they hit the launcher the amount of times it has added up to. Another card is "Wild hit fire" which the next player must keep pressing the launcher until it has given cards out, however this card can only be played if they cannot play ...
weekimmy 05.04.2008 (30.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Uno Extreme
Advantages: Rapid fire cards Disadvantages: Needs batteries
Uno Extreme takes the original card game, and adds a machine to fire random cards at you. What a perfect combination! It follows the usual basis of playing a card that matches the previous one in either colour or number/picture. In the normal game, if you can't go, you pick up a card. Now, it is replaced with pressing the button once. This is the main attraction of the game. It might fire no cards, a couple, or anything up to 8! It is especially ... ...for a normal game of Uno if the batteries die, which is a disadvantage ( both the cards and the fact that it requires batteries.) It is good for playing with children, as it is great to both play and watch, and does not require their attention for too long, about 5 minutes per game. A great family game, and one that I would definitely recommend. Hope this was helpful. ...
Superkeeper 20.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Uno Extreme
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Advantages: Available in all various formats across the world Disadvantages: Unfortunately UNO is a card game that cannot be played alone as a single player like many normal card games
UNO the number one family game from the United States has become so popular that now it is available in lots of various guises across the world and you can even get computer/console versions of it as well.
Other versions that have "spun off" from the original include "UNO MADNESS,UNO DOMINOES,UNO STACKO,UNO ELECTRONIC,UNOEXTREME,UNO BLITZO, UNO DICE " & many many more including various childrens themed editions such as: "SIMPSONS,DISNEY,TOY STORY,DORA THE EXPLORER,HARRY POTTER,SESAME STREET,BARBIE,SPIDERMAN,SHREK 2 & the CARE BEARS".
These are only a few and there are many more if you look hard enough.
I think that this variety and keeping up with the latest trends is what helps UNO appeal to all different age groups from all different backgrounds.
All of these games however still follow the basic "Colour & Number" match ...
BEERMONSTER12345 28.10.2004 (29.10.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Uno
Advantages: Easy to learn and play, compact for travelling, fun for all Disadvantages: Can't think of any`
As far as I am aware, this is the only card game with a penalty rule for stupidity or mistakes! Gotta love it!
My now somewhat dog-eared pack has travelled with me for years. There's not many games that can keep 3 people happy of a 27 hour train journey up Norway, or 12 people amused on a campsite in Slovenia.
First discovered at my little cousin's house (she was 10) and loved always. I've played it in teams (sorry partner, we kept losing when I forgot to say 'uno'), individually, with points and without.
Still a firm favourite, even with the advent of UnoExtreme (also hilarious fun, but not as easy to travel with).
I introduced it to a 'Games Club' - generally more involved in computer games, Magic the Gathering, and German board games. They loved it and all of htem spent the night playing Uno instead! ...
mmsparkle 07.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Uno
Advantages: A good interactive game. Disadvantages: None.
at 6.49 GBP, although I really don't see the necessity, since the ordinary ones are strong enough to survive a trip to the beach. As for the deluxe set, UnoExtreme, this is an expensive option and totally unnecessary at 14.99 GBP. The Care bear and Spiderman Uno cards make a good present, although I would suggest here, that although they are packed in a metal carrying case, I would imagine that many children would outgrow the themes, whereas the standard cards at 3.38 GBP are the most sensible option all round, giving you a game that doesn't get dated or babyish.
Would I recommend the game ?
Yes, it is extremely playable and enjoyable and is one of my favourite card games. Good for all ages, very good entertainment value, and lasting enjoyment.
Now where's that pack ?
Rachel ...
thingywhatsit 05.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Uno
