TWM Games and Puzzles Sept 2025

Games & Puzzles Holding all the cards

The dynamic and rapidly expanding global games and puzzles market sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth potential across diverse demographic segments and challenging economic conditions. Encompassing traditional board games, card games and jigsaw puzzles, and - increasingly - hybrid physical-digital gaming experiences that bridge traditional and modern play patterns, this market has evolved from a predominantly seasonal category to a year-round consumer staple valued at over $20b globally. Toy World speaks to a number of leading suppliers about how the land lies as we head into Q4 and what there is to play for.

In recent years, the Games & Puzzles sector has been buoyed by shifting consumer behaviours toward experiential entertainment, the rise of "gamification" in educational and corporate training contexts, and the growing recognition of games and puzzles as tools for cognitive development and social engagement. As always, Toy World has taken the time to engage with a raft of suppliers and retailers to find out how the landscape is looking from their respective sides of the table. Several topics came up time and time again during conversations: growing demand for pick-upand-play card games and party games with simple rules and small, portable boxes, the expanding adult

gaming demographic (which reflects the growing Kidult demographic across the wider industry), an increased focus on family-friendly alternatives to screen time and keen pricing that's getting games and puzzles into the hands of families everywhere, no matter their budgets.

Data from the UK suggests younger adults are shunning pubs in favour of evenings at home. While this is obviously bad news for the local boozer, it's good news for games and puzzles suppliers such as Tomy, which has set itself the goal of doubling its Games business by 2029 (either through in-house development or acquisitions). Mary Wood, the company's managing director - Europe, tells us

that adult Gen Zers seem to be spending less time drinking in pubs, and more time enjoying games nights at home or in games cafés. Much of this mindset is arguably a hangover (pun intended) from the pandemic, when people realised it was possible to enjoy a cheap and inclusive night in with their family or flatmates, and while game sales certainly aren't what they were mid-Covid, the renewed enthusiasm for at-home gaming has persisted.

Stewart Middleton of VR Distribution, a specialist games distributor, notes that while titles with longer gameplay time and more complex themes had been the most popular pre-2021, the influx of new party game fans turned things on its head. Now, the sector

is all about quick-to-learn games with a short play time. Some of this is undoubtedly also a reflection of our time-poor society, in which entertainment downtime must be balanced against spending time with the kids, cooking, exercise, commuting, work, housekeeping and myriad other 21st-century tasks. There appears to be a real uplift in sales of games that take only 15-20 minutes or so to play, such as A Gentle Rain, which is now available from Zatu Distribution, Asmodee's Brick Like This! (its latest collaboration with The Lego Group) and Abstractable, Gibsons' latest party game. Even traditional playing cards are enjoying something of a resurgence. Cartamundi's phenomenally popular Bicycle brand, which this year has already welcomed Disney's Daisy Duck, Toy Story, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC and Jujutsu Kaisen decks, remains a go to for card game fans who prefer the flexibility of their own (beautiful) deck. Later releases will further cater to fans of licensed properties, with Disney's Coco, Cats & Dogs, and Goofy joining the line-up alongside My Hero Academia next month. Licensed games are having a moment, reflecting the strength of the wider licensing sector. At the younger end of the age scale, Bluey is delighting pre-schoolers and their families and is set to benefit from a raft of game releases this year. "The evergrowing global popularity of Bluey is something we've really leant into and through our master toy partnership, we've been able to inject our signature Moose Toys innovation and playfulness into our

Bluey games range," enthuses Logan Stone, vice president of Marketing and Brand Strategy (UK & EU) at Moose Toys. "We've taken iconic moments and beloved episodes from the show and recreated them as a game for pre-schoolers and parents to relive in real life. This year we launched Bluey Hide and Seek, inspired by the series episode, which was a sell-out success in spring as a result of a viral social media campaign using authentic content of little Bluey fans playing the game together. Blending the phenomenon of Bluey with fun, interactive gameplay has been a winning formula." Asmodee would agree, we're sure, poised as it is to launch Dobble Bluey this year.

Vivid Goliath has seen significant success with the Murdle (Goliath's first launch connected to a publishing brand) and Scream board games, Tomy is launching Logo Disney for autumn/winter, and University Games' Mark Jones highlights key licensed brands such as Dog Man, Roald Dahl and The Very Hungry Caterpillar as standout performers this year, while TV classic Bullseye - a nostalgic brand that's poised to make a major comeback this year - is new to the company's portfolio for 2025.

"Bullseye will be a firm favourite under the Christmas tree this year, tapping into the popular darts trend and making a great gift: especially for us harder-to-buy-for men," says Mark. "It's a nostalgic, entertaining game that brings the whole family together."

Hasbro's Tim Maas, EMEA Marketing lead, tells Toy World the company has enjoyed great success with licensed Monopoly collaborations including Monopoly Harry Potter, Monopoly Stitch and Monopoly Pokémon. Bespoke gameplay and components make each game far more than a 'label slap', turning them into a must-have for fans of the properties. By way of example, he explains: "In Monopoly Harry Potter players are sorted into houses, collect or lose House Points and move around the board using the Hogwarts Express."

While even licensed versions of classic games still often lean heavily towards traditional gameplay, living in the 21st century means tech is increasingly making its mark on the sector. Consumers frequently expect an app, website or digital content to support gameplay, and suppliers are catering to that demand. Goliath has recently launched a dedicated development studio in Poland with market-leading credentials, which will transform its iconic games titles - such as Sequence and Triominos - into portable, digital experiences that connect fans across continents, time zones and create communities.

Emma Weber, senior Marketing and Licensing director, Vivid Goliath, comments: "In addition, with the acquisition of Lucky Duck last year - the company behind industry leading and award-winning digital hybrid games such as Chronicles of Crime - we are delving deeper into the digital hybrid gaming sector, taking board game players into a virtual world via an

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app that unlocks a deeper gaming and storytelling experience."

Tim at Hasbro says the company looks for meaningful digital integrations that enhance the game experience and maintain the social interaction loved by consumers. Designed with Gen Alpha in mind, Monopoly App Banking seamlessly integrates smartphones and tablets into the classic Monopoly experience; and the app speeds up the game by managing bank transactions, reducing playtime to about half of the traditional game (perfect for those families watching the clock). With features like scanning bank and property cards to make payments, mirroring real-life digital transactions, this version is more familiar and accessible to younger players than the one their parents will have grown up playing. Additionally, the app includes mini games that add extra fun to auctions, transactions and more.

"We've also launched the Jenga app, which brings a new dimension to the game by deciding how the next block is removed," Tim adds. "The app builds on the anticipation and fun by challenging players to remove blocks blindfolded or with their thumbs only."

Tomy is expecting big things from The Human Controller, which blends physical gameplay with an app through which players - wearing a physical headset that blocks their vision and vibrates to convey commands - are controlled during deceptively simple tasks, with hilarious consequences. Mary Wood tells us the game targets the burgeoning kidult sector and sits within its Party Games segment, which marks relatively new territory for the company. She says: "I've been really impressed with the marketing plan that the team at Tomy have put together -- this product benefits from very good distribution, has visibility in catalogues and on FSDUs, the digital assets are spot on, the marketing plan is really appropriate for the audience - and the

investment is there too."

While some companies are choosing to engage players via apps, others are working tech into their games in subtler, screen-free ways. While Moose's core play pattern remains physical play, the company is also exploring hybrid formats that enhance, not replace, the tactile gaming experience through interactivity and electronics. According to Logan Stone, Flipslide - which challenges kids to flip to find the colour and slide to match the lights - is a great example of this ethos in action: the highly engaging physical gameplay is enhanced through lights and sounds to add drama, pace and competition.

Tech is even influencing the staunchly traditional puzzle sector. Clementoni recently unveiled its Metamorphic Art Collection – Stranger Things, which leverages heptachrome print and RGB Art technology to turn the completed puzzle into three different images depending on the light projected by the red, blue and green LEDs in the frame. Bringing something truly new and innovative to the sector, this just might turn the world of puzzling upside down.

Of course, the majority of games and puzzles remain screen- and tech-free, which University Games says its research and feedback indicate are still important to families and parents. "Consumers are looking for real-world connection, and traditional games such as Perudo, Who's in the Bag and Don't Say It still perform strongly at retail," says Mark Jones. By listening closely to what our audience wants and what sells off the shelf, we remain confident that hands-on, screen-free play has lasting value in people's lives."

He continues: "Our target demographics continue to evolve as our product portfolio spans a wide spectrum, from pre-school and children's educational games to family, adult and sporting

gifts, games and puzzles. Over the past two years, we've seen an increased demand for inclusive, easy-to-learn games that encourage quality time, learning through play and cross-generational engagement. This shift has been especially notable among young families and adult social gamers, both of whom are seeking games that are quick to pick up but rich in interaction and replay value. As a global team, University Games has established its key and core audiences within each product category and this guides not only our new product development programme, but also our marketing strategies. Regardless of the demographic, we have six core values that remain central: all-play formats, accessibility and ease of entry are just a few of the pillars that you will find embedded within our products."

When researching this piece, a number of contributors went to great lengths to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities that come with marketing games and puzzles. Spin Master now focuses on two core games pillars: family games that foster cross-generational bonding and strategic games and puzzles that engage players from childhood to kidult. Richard Dickson, general manager UK & ROI, tells Toy World the company has witnessed continued fragmentation in media consumption and shifting preferences across age groups, regions and formats. In response, Spin Master has prioritised a data-driven social strategy, developed with a leading digital agency, centred on producing 100x more content. This high-volume approach, Richard says, allows rapid testing across cohorts, formats and channels to quickly identify what resonates.

He adds: "As a result, we've refined our messaging and optimised our channel mix in real time.

Supported by a diversified media strategy and strong

The LOGO Board Gam

A fast-paced, high-stakes trivia game where working together could win you BIG money, but only if you can avoid being voted o !

retail partnerships, this ensures our brands stay relevant, inspiring and globally irresistible."

Social media is also extremely important for VR Distribution. According to Stewart Middleton, TikTok - now reportedly being used by almost 40% of the UK population - is a key platform when it comes to getting games in front of a wide audience, quickly. On the flipside, high social media consumption has meant that consumers' attention spans have reduced, meaning videos need to be short and highly engaging within just the first few seconds. "Influencer wise, our most successful launch last year involved a random family from Leicester. They did an amazing video of them playing the game, which went viral and drove a lot of sales (and money for them too)."

"Over the past 12 months, we've seen that jumping on social media trends and getting games to market as quickly as physically possible has been vital," Stewart adds, when asked his views on concept testing and the likelihood of success. "Speed to market is a massive part of this: you need very

switched-on, hardworking game developers who can create content and/or gameplay in just a matter of days. Getting a game produced and shipped while the online trend is still gaining momentum is the perfect situation, but it's very hard to achieve - and to predict how long the trend will last. Working in a traditional way, with focus groups and concept testing with consumers etc., is such a long and expensive route - although obviously it's fine if you have a big hit on your hands."

Despite having had more than its share of big hits over the years, Tomy's Mary Wood, interestingly, says product testing is one of her bugbears - much to the frustration of her team. Having witnessed many products test well but fail to perform at retail, she now always challenges the validity of carrying out testing. "Testing can give a feel-good factor, but it never reflects the real buying environment, where so many factors are at play at that moment when a consumer makes a buying decision," she notes.

Mary also explains that while linear TV still has its place in reaching certain demographics at certain times of the year, it's nonetheless getting much harder to reach audiences in the many channels they now occupy. Tomy's marketing team works with agencies such as Generation Media (among others), relying on its expertise to guide its decision making.

"While all the data points towards digital and social media growing, it's hard to measure and does not necessarily translate to sales," Mary says, adding that there is always a need for a good dose of experience and practical thinking. "Given the amount of media messages any one individual receives during a day, it's hard to stand out. For that reason, we recognise the importance of investing in FSDUs, catalogues and a strong online presence, so consumers can find our products when they are thinking about buying games, whether they have seen an advert or not."

A number of the retailers we spoke to for this month's Games & Puzzles focused Talking Shop said demo product was one of the most appreciated things a supplier could offer and really helps secure in-store sales. It's easy to see why: it's hard to adequately explain within just an on-pack paragraph or two (or even a few sentences) how a game is played and why it's fun, and many consumers are wary of spending on a product if they aren't sure whether or not they'll enjoy - or even understand - it. Watching a game being played, or playing it yourself, before having to part with your hardearned cash, can mitigate any concerns and the frustration that sometimes comes with unpacking a game, only to discover the rules take 30 minutes to read and three hours to fully understand. If not already doing so, suppliers should consider seeding demo product at key retail partners with the capacity and flair to show it off in-store.

Spin Master's Richard Dickson says the company is elevating engagement by "meeting fans where their passion lives", whether that's face-to-face at conventions such as Spiel Essen (the world's largest and most

popular gaming fair) and Gen Con (the largest tabletop game convention in North America), through live competitive events such as Rubik's Speed cubing events. It also aims to drive shoppers to its retail partners via targeted social campaigns. "These activations create memorable touchpoints that bridge discovery and purchase, ensuring our games are top of mind when consumers make buying decisions," he says. "By combining in-person events and digital marketing efforts, we're helping retailers not only attract more foot traffic but also foster deeper connections with customers, ultimately supporting stronger sales and brand loyalty in the games category."

Events have also become much more prominent in the puzzling scene, thanks to the rise of the new sport of Speed Puzzling. Puzzles are no longer simply about mindful escapism from the chaos of everyday life by slowly piecing together a jigsaw puzzle over a cup of tea - for some, the joy lies in the sheer speed at which they can complete their puzzle. Out of this hobby have sprung global competitive events such as the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship, which takes place in Valladolid, Spain, every September. Puzzle specialist Ravensburger has become a headline sponsor of these events, producing exclusive puzzles for both the Singles and Pairs events that are kept top secret until the timer starts on the day. It's also launched a Speedy Puzzle range, which includes a Disney Stitch and Pokémon edition, for beginners to enjoy at home.

Speaking of Pokémon, it would be remiss not to touch upon (and not for the first time this year) the continued performance of the trading card game, which our contributors have variously described as "insane", "crazy" and "the talk of the industry". With securing stock an ongoing challenge, despite the best efforts of distributor Asmodee, and scalpers forcing retailers to remove online purchase options and limit in-store sales, consumers are embracing other TCG titles including Fantasy Flight Games' Star Wars Unlimited (also available through Asmodee), Ravensburger's Disney Lorcana and Hasbro's Magic: The Gathering. At some point, Pokémon-mania has to ease off a bit - but with 2026 marking the franchise's 30th anniversary, it's likely we'll see the hype carry on for a while yet.

Overall, the Games & Puzzles sector continues to demonstrate its strength, even in the face of changing consumer demands and retail environments. At the same time as the shift toward quick-play formats, expanding adult demographics and strategic licensing partnerships are delivering authentic brand experiences, tech and digital integration is offering opportunities for enhanced gameplay - but screen-free, social interaction remains central to success. And with trading card games maintaining their momentum, and new competitive formats such as Speed Puzzling creating additional consumer touchpoints, the sector enjoys an enviable position with multiple pathways to exploit as it heads into Q4 and beyond.

Over the following pages, Toy World takes a look at the raft of game and puzzle releases hitting shelves (and tables) this year, and catches up with suppliers and retailers alike to find out their thoughts on this ever-evolving sector, what they're excited about for the coming months, and why the latest releases are worth keeping an eye on.

News newsanalysis

Games expert Zatu launches data-informed distribution channel

Rob Trounce, Zatu’s Trade Marketing manager, tells Toy World all about the company’s newest arm of the business, Zatu Distribution, and how it champions its growing portfolio and partners.

What is Zatu Distribution and how is it growing as a business?

Zatu Distribution is the new distribution arm of Zatu Games. While we’ve been a leading online board game retailer for nearly a decade, we have offered fulfilment services to publishers in recent years. This next step allows us to combine our expertise in both areas. Our experience at the coalface of retail gives us unique insights into what gamers are actually buying and playing, while our fulfilment systems give us a streamlined, logistics-first approach. The result is a modern, data-informed distribution channel. We're focused on bringing the best global titles to the UK market and supporting retailers with real marketing and logistical support.

How does Zatu Distribution fit into the UK games market?

The UK market is currently served by a small number of large distributors, most of whom operate broad catalogues and global strategies. Zatu Distribution is taking a different approach: we’re curating a more focused range, designed specifically

Moose Toys acquires Bananagrams

for success in the UK and Ireland. We’re hand-selecting standout titles, often from underrepresented global publishers, and backing them with the marketing muscle and retail insight we’ve developed over years of trading. Our aim isn’t just to move boxes from A to B. We champion the games we take on, and want to be true partners to the retailers who stock them.

How does Zatu Distribution support its partners and retailers?

Every game we carry has been hand-picked because we believe it will succeed at retail, but it doesn’t stop there. We support each title with an extensive marketing plan. That includes showcasing our games at major expos and consumer events, running direct-to-consumer advertising and leveraging our own channels, including a newsletter database of over 250,000 UK gamers, to build hype and drive demand. We’re also rolling out an innovative new buy-back scheme to support retailers of all sizes, helping to de-risk their buying decisions in what we know is a challenging market.

What are your goals for Zatu Distribution? How do you see it developing in the coming years?

Everyone on our team has experience working in other board game distribution businesses, and we’ve all seen the value of keeping things simple: find great games, support them well and meet retailers’ needs without overcomplicating things. Our goal is to build a portfolio of standout titles, backed by data, tested through retail and primed for success in the UK. In the years ahead, we see Zatu Distribution becoming the go-to partner for global publishers looking to break into the UK market, and for retailers seeking a smarter, more supportive approach to distribution.

Moose Toys has announced the acquisition of the globally-recognised word building game Bananagrams. This strategic move strengthens Moose’s global Games portfolio and brings together two family-founded companies with a shared commitment to creativity, innovation and delivering unique play experiences.

Bananagrams is an evergreen title played by millions in over 30 countries and 16 languages. The Rhode Island-based company has earned a devoted following with its simple rules, fast paced action, stand-out packaging and tactile, high-quality gameplay.

“Bananagrams shares our family-driven values and embodies everything we represent at Moose,” said Paul Solomon, CEO and co-owner of Moose Toys. “This now instantly recognisable brand brings people all over the world together for connection and play – the same ethos behind all our innovation at Moose. We’ve admired how this amazing team turned a simple idea into a household name, and we see enormous potential to continue its legacy as part of our ongoing strategy to accelerate our growth in the Games category.”

“We are absolutely thrilled that Moose Toys is taking the Bananagrams brand into its next chapter,” added Rena Nathanson, CEO and co-inventor, Bananagrams. “We’ve always been a small but passionate team dedicated to making games that bring joy, laughter and connection. Moose shares that same passion, and we couldn’t think of a better partner to continue what we started and take Bananagrams to even more families around the world.”

The acquisition adds to Moose’s impressive momentum in Games. Since launching its Games division just three years ago, Moose has built a $100m business through a combination of acquisitions, licensing, best-in-class partnerships and new product development. The company says acquiring the Bananagrams brand offers an exciting opportunity to accelerate its growth while continuing to develop world class brands.

For more information, contact Moose on 01637 882 200 or visit www.moosetoys.com

Ravensburger’s Disney Lorcana Store Summit event hailed a success

At this year’s Disney Lorcana Store Summit event, a packed house was treated to a day of presentations and exclusive product reveals by the Ravensburger team. The event followed a host of major brand announcements at Gen Con earlier this year.

Interactive demos of the new Ravensburger Play Hub were a key part of the event. Attendees shared their experiences with the new system and were offered guidance on how to make it work effectively for their customer base. With informative Q&A sessions, insights into marketing and PR initiatives around the new Disney Lorcana Collector Starter Set launching in Q4, plus teaser imagery and information around upcoming product launches, the day was hailed a huge success.

“The importance of our Disney Lorcana Store Summit events cannot be overstated,” commented Ben Lovell, Disney Lorcana TCG Category and Sales manager at Ravensburger UK. “From the outset, when we launched the brand in 2023, the Hobby Store network has been crucial to its ongoing success and speaks directly to our core customer base. Hobby stores are instrumental in building a player platform for competitive play and in-store events, and we feel passionately about being able to meet face-to-face on a regular basis so retailers can see first-hand the investments and development going into the brand. Held as we worked towards our second anniversary at the end of August, the event gave us the chance to hear ideas, feedback and suggestions, all of which we will feed back to the Global team.”

Ravensburger can be contacted on 01869 363 830.

All Jigsaw Puzzles ties up with Natural History Museum

All Jigsaw Puzzles has announced a new illustrated 1000-piece puzzle release, an exclusive licensed design created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum and best-selling British puzzle illustrator, Tim Bulmer.

Puzzlers can join Tim Bulmer for a tour of the Natural History Museum. Piece by piece, they will explore the iconic halls filled with dinosaurs, dodos, gems and the secrets of the natural world. As art meets education, puzzlers will enter a world of intrigue as they explore the Museum from their own home. They'll learn something new from the included A3 illustrated fact sheet and dive into a world where history, nature and imagination all collide.

This puzzle isn’t just about putting pieces together; it’s about discovering the stories, science and magic that make the natural world so amazing. From the towering to the tiny, this vibrant illustration is bursting with curious creatures, fascinating facts and Tim’s signature charm.

Known for his cleverly warm and quietly witty artwork, Tim Bulmer is a talented artist from the UK. His artwork reflects his light-hearted attitude, and his newest addition to the popular range is sure to leave jigsaw fanatics amused.

Speaking about the new licence, Louisa Skevington, Licensing manager, Natural History Museum, said: “We are delighted to see the Tim Bulmer x Natural History Museum jigsaw puzzle launch. It’s been wonderful to witness the creative process, research and care that has gone into bringing this design together. Tim has captured so much of the history and much-loved features and specimens of the Museum, all with such character. This is going to be a lot of fun to piece together.”

Lego and Asmodee build on partnership with Brick Like This!

The Lego Group and Asmodee are back with Brick Like This!, a fast-paced party game in which chaos, creativity and communication collide.

Available now, the game is all about teamwork under pressure. One teammate describes a Lego model, while the other races to build it, but there’s a twist: only one person can see the model. When players think they’ve nailed it, challenge cards flip the script. Suddenly they’re building blindfolded, forced to build one-handed or under a wild new rule that keeps the game fresh and unpredictable.

“Brick Like This! is a celebration of creativity, chaos and connection,” said Birgitte Bülow, head of Dotted Games, Asmodee’s dedicated Lego studio. “It’s the kind of game that instantly breaks the ice and brings people together, whether you’re eight or 80.”

Jo Duggan-Rees, Marketing manager at Asmodee, added: “I’ve loved Lego bricks since I was a child, and this game captures everything I love about them: creativity, imagination and pure joy. It’s impossible to play without smiling. It’s clever, chaotic fun that everyone wants another go at.”

Ideal for families, party nights and even team building events, Brick Like This is based on an original concept by designer Luca Bellini and reimagined by the team at Dotted Games, following the success of the duo’s first collaboration, Lego Monkey Palace.

“We want Lego board games to be easy to jump into and unforgettable to play,” said Jaume Fabregat, Board Games lead at Lego Publishing. “Brick Like This! brings the spirit of Lego to the table in a totally new way. It’s energetic, social and just the right amount of silly.”

Asmodee can be reached at 01420 593 593 and www.asmodee.co.uk, while Lego can be reached at 01753 495 000 and www.lego.com

Asmodee celebrates key promotions and new appointments

Asmodee has announced a series of staff changes within its National Sales team, reflecting the company’s continued investment in talent and its commitment to getting more games into more hands and homes.

Goliath secures global rights to 90s favourite Elefun

Goliath Games has acquired the worldwide manufacturing and distribution rights to Elefun, the cherished pre-school game that first fluttered onto the scene in the mid-1990s. As colourful butterflies fly out of Elefun’s trunk, players use their nets to catch as many as possible. The ensuing whimsical frenzy has made the game a favourite among kids in over 50 countries.

“Parents who grew up in the '90s remember the thrill of butterflies filling the room,” said Jochanan Golad, CEO of Goliath. “Now they’ll be able to share that moment with their own kids, thanks to a refreshed Elefun that stays true to its roots.”

Goliath will refresh the game with updated packaging and playful new designs while preserving the simple delight that made Elefun a staple of 1990s playrooms. The relaunch will roll out globally beginning autumn 2026.

This is not the first move the company has made in 2025 to tap into nostalgia for games from years gone by: earlier this year, Goliath entered a multi-year agreement with Hasbro to become the worldwide manufacturer and distributor for the iconic Mastermind brand, originally introduced in 1970.

To get in touch with Goliath, call 01483 449 944 or visit www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk

Scott GarnerbundyHiggs joins Cartamundi

Scott Garnerbundy-Higgs has joined Cartamundi as UK Business Development manager, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the Toy and Gift industry. Scott has held key roles at Fizz Creations and Rubber Road, and most recently led the successful UK launch of Trixie Baby.

Returning to the licensing arena after several years focused on the Baby and Pre-School sector, Scott commented: “It’s a very exciting time for Cartamundi, with lots of new lines launching for 2026. I’m looking forward to building on existing partnerships, supporting the independent market and growing consumer demand.”

Cartamundi’s upcoming releases include new products and licences across its Shuffle range and the iconic Bicycle Playing Cards range.

To get in touch with Scott, email scott.garnerbundy-higgs@cartamundi.com

Emily Catchpole has been promoted to senior National Account manager and continues to play a vital role during what has already been a landmark year for Asmodee. She said: “It’s truly exciting to be developing my career within Asmodee, amongst an amazing group of people.”

Lauren Busby has been promoted to National Account manager. “Progressing to National Account manager has been a goal of mine since I joined the company five years ago,” commented Lauren. “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to grow and develop amongst a brilliant team.”

Lewis Murphy joined Asmodee in September 2023 as a Business Development executive and now steps into the role of National Commercial executive. “My focus remains on growing Asmodee’s national retail distribution and accelerating our presence in the market,” Lewis said.

Barry John, National Sales Channel controller, who recently celebrated 20 years at Asmodee, added: “We’re delighted to announce the promotions of Emily, Lauren and Lewis. These changes increase our experience and capacity within the National Sales team and are very well deserved. We’re proud to support their continued growth and look forward to seeing their impact in this next phase.”

These changes highlight Asmodee UK’s ongoing focus on internal progression and nurturing future leaders in the business. As the company continues to expand its reach across the UK retail landscape, investing in people remains at the core of its success.

Asmodee can be contacted on 01420 593 593. Alternatively, visit www.asmodee.co.uk

Big Potato wins investment support

According to a report in The Times, two-thirds of Big Potato’s revenue comes from exports, with the US accounting for the majority of those sales. The company’s success in the region attracted investment from Mobeus, the private equity firm, which has bought a significant minority stake in a deal valuing the company at £50m.

Adam Wright, co-chief executive, said he attributes Big Potato’s success stateside to the board game culture there. “Games Night is a big thing that people get together and do. Sometimes people [here] see it as a nerdy pastime, but it definitely isn’t in the US.”

Adam said the deal has finally been completed despite potential disruption from Trump’s tariffs, which were announced in April.

“It was a long process because tariffs got in the way of the deal,” he explained to The Times. “Pre-Christmas, we had a short list [of potential investors] and we made a choice to go with Mobeus as our preferred bidder, but then the tariffs turned up right in the middle of that. We spent time working together to make sure we’re all comfortable with what that meant for future growth.”

Adam added that decisions were delayed because of tariff uncertainty, which proved more problematic than the rate of the tariffs themselves. As a small company, Big Potato’s size means it could react quickly to send as much stock as possible to the US before the tariffs were due to kick in. It has exported more than a million of its games to the US since April.

As the first institutional investment raised by the company, the deal means a payout for employees who hold shares in the company through an Employee Ownership Trust. Under the scheme, the money will be distributed according to a points-based system, decided by length of service and salary.

Big Potato can be contacted on 020 3620 9495 or at trade@bigpotato.co.uk.

Tickit launches new animal-themed puzzle

Commotion has announced a new introduction from its in-house brand, Tickit, a trusted name in high-quality educational resources.

The Safari Animal Layer Puzzle introduces children to 10 wild animals through a multi-sensory, layered wooden puzzle. Crafted from FSC-certified birch plywood, the beautifully detailed chunky animal pieces are laser-etched and double-sided to stand upright for imaginative play. The middle outline layer can be used for drawing, colouring or filling with colourful rice or beads for an additional sensory exercise. Laser-etched skeletons inside the base tray provide an engaging introduction to biology, while encouraging matching, tracing and language development through open-ended exploration of animals and their habitats.

Commotion’s head of Marketing, Honor Davidson, said: “We at Commotion are continuing to bring our fresh new product ideas to life all year round, and the latest wonderful wooden toys from our in-house Tickit brand really do stand apart. We are an established advocate of the learning through play movement, designing beautiful, tactile, long-lasting toys to be loved, shared and played with for many years to come.”

Readers can find out more by calling 01732 225 837 or visiting www.commotion.co.uk

Touching Base

Cards on the table

Mary Wood Managing director, Tomy

We’ve seen real momentum this year in party games, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. They’re drawn to fun, fast-paced games that are easy to pick up and great for social gatherings. At the same time, there’s growing interest in hybrid games that mix physical play with digital elements like apps or AR features, which really resonate with younger players who love tech-driven experiences. It’s clear that this audience is looking for games that bring people together while also offering something fresh and interactive.

For me, Human Controller really stands out as an exciting innovation in the games space. It mixes tech and social interaction in a way that most games haven’t even touched. Instead of being constrained to a board or a screen, the game turns players’ actual social environment into the playing field and friends into the game pieces. It taps into that fun power fantasy of being the one in control, but in a light, playful way. It’s bold, different and honestly redefines what a party game can be. That kind of creativity and innovation really gets me excited.

Megan Bradley-Zeng Brand Marketing manager, Gibsons Games

This year, we’ve witnessed a fascinating shift in how people engage with jigsaw puzzles. What was once considered a quiet, solitary pastime has evolved into a vibrant, social experience. Speed puzzling events have exploded in popularity both online and in person. Our own Gibsons Open Jigsaw Championships this summer welcomed over 600 puzzlers from across the UK, and the energy in the room was electric! It’s clear that puzzling is no longer just about relaxation; it’s about connection, friendly competition and shared joy. This trend reflects a broader appetite for screen-free activities that bring people together in meaningful ways.

As for Q4, I’m especially excited about the launch of our Puzzle Advent Calendar: Tales of Christmas, featuring the exquisite illustrations of The Art File. At Gibsons HQ, we often talk about the magic of puzzling, and this product truly captures it. With its elegant book-style façade, gold foil detailing and 24 festive mini puzzles, it’s a gift that invites daily delight throughout December. I’m genuinely looking forward to gifting it to loved ones (and enjoying it myself). It’s a beautiful way to slow down, savour the season and celebrate the joy of puzzling.

Major players in Games & Puzzles tell Toy World about the latest trends emerging within the category this year and share which new launches they are most excited about for Q4.

Katy Fletcher Head of Marketing & Product Development, Ravensburger UK

The momentum behind the speed puzzling movement is showing no signs of abating, with this new way for puzzlers to engage with their hobby bringing the puzzle community together like never before. It’s magical to be part of the friendships that form at events. Speed puzzling consumers are interested in both smaller and larger piece count puzzles; within the online community, we can see that there’s much anticipation for our upcoming Six Portals 7,000-piece puzzles which launch this month. Our new Kids Speedy Puzzle concept, meanwhile, invites younger consumers to get involved in speed puzzling too.

Tabletop gaming audiences continue to grow, reflected by the visitor numbers at UK Games Expo each year. With older players keen to introduce the younger generation to the tabletop journey, family-friendly takes on popular games are coming through. Our new Disney Villainous Unstoppable, for example, is inspired by gameplay from Disney Villainous but accessible to a younger audience. These games provide a stepping stone from traditional family or party games to strategy games. There are so many upcoming launches I’m looking forward to. With our Disney Stitch with Ears 3D puzzle continuing to be our No. 1 bestseller, I’m looking forward to the launch of the new Angel with Ears product. Our new Guinness World Records trivia card game marks the organisation’s 70th anniversary – it’s going to be a big year for this muchloved institution so I’m delighted that we can be a part of the celebrations.

Our six 1,000-piece Disney Lorcana Glimmers of the Realm puzzles hit shelves this month. They’re a natural fit for Ravensburger and look spectacular thanks to the Disney Lorcana branding and its unique illustrative takes on favourite Disney characters. With each one focused on a different magical ‘ink’ colour from the world of Disney Lorcana, the series will look incredible merchandised at retail.

Social party game Oh My Pigeons! has got off to a flying start in the first half of the year (if you’ll pardon the pun), and we’re excited to be adding another social party game to our line-up: Match Me If You Can. We’ve had a great reaction to this from players at events already this year and have plenty of fun and engaging social media activity planned to support the launch.

Touching Base

Stewart Middleton Business consultant, VR Distribution

Over the past 12 months we’ve seen that consumers are mostly seeking out newness in games. While overall sales are very similar to last year’s numbers, the growth is definitely within new titles; sales of some of the more wellestablished games have slowed slightly. Over the past few years, the demand for quick to learn, fast paced, all-inclusive games has also continued to grow. Equally as important is constant new social media content that’s highly engaging across all platforms. This is now essential to a game’s success.

As in previous years, we have lots of new party games launching, but I think the launch of Shashibo - the award-winning sensory, shape shifting puzzle - is the most exciting. This takes us in a different direction from our usual party games and into the world of puzzles. With its proven track record in the USA and strong pre-sales, it’s looking like we will have a very successful Q4 with it. We also have a range of jigsaw puzzles launching from the Dutch company Mr Broccoli (the founders of King Puzzles), with high quality, eye-catching images and very competitive prices compared to the current market.

Jacqueline Taylor-Foo Managing director,

Jumbo Galt

We’re experiencing more engagement with our adult games offering, specifically Hitster and Hitster summer. The children’s market has been hit by a lot of excess sale stock, so it’s quite slow. Card games are still proving very popular, but it’s really Pokémon that is dominating sales in the children’s space.

Without question, the Q4 release I’m most looking forward to is Hitster Guilty Pleasures. We’re preparing for our biggest ever marketing campaign to celebrate the launch of the latest edition to our fun Hitster party game line-up, with Guilty Pleasures featuring the most outrageous hits from past decades. A loud, proud celebration of the songs we secretly (or not so secretly) love — from Steps to Shakira and the Backstreet Boys to B*Witched – this game taps into the joy of guilty pleasures and brings people together, whether they’re singing in a club, belting out lyrics in a kitchen party, or reminiscing over Christmas dinner. I guarantee that if you bring this out during any event, party, BBQ, holiday or even a quiet night in, everyone will love it. Oh, and don’t forget to dance like no one is watching.

Simon Prest Sales and Marketing director, Orchard Toys

We’ve seen parents increasingly focused on quality and educational value, with playtime expected to be both meaningful and long-lasting. The key questions they’re asking are: “Will this help my child learn?” and “Will it keep them engaged beyond a quick 10 minutes?” Alongside this, grandparents are becoming an even more influential group in gift purchasing. They’re seeking out timeless, wholesome games and puzzles that feel nostalgic yet still excite today’s children. Many remember playing with Orchard Toys with their own children, so our products often carry an emotional connection that strengthens brand loyalty and repeat purchasing.

I’m excited for our Dinosaur Number Eggs, a game designed to combine irresistible pre-school appeal with genuine educational value. Dinosaurs remain a perennial favourite, and when paired with activities that build early number recognition and counting skills, you have a product that delivers customer satisfaction. Plus, it’s simple and quick to set up and get started, which is a massive plus for busy parents. With its bold, bright design, strong shelf presence and competitive price point, it’s perfectly placed as a standout Christmas gift.

Scott Garnerbundy-Higgs

UK Business Development manager, Cartamundi

Playing cards have made a significant comeback, and not just for poker night. Gone are the days of plain decks (although our Gold Playing Card Red & Blue deck is still a firm favourite). Customers are now looking for fun, quality-led playing cards with unique finishes - something they can show off around the family table, on games night, or even display proudly in the home. This shift also shows us that enthusiasts are building impressive playing card collections, while families are rediscovering the joy of a good old game of Rummy, or even Snap. Playing cards is all about reducing screen time and bringing back the simple pleasure of connecting with people.

Decks of playing cards are no longer just tools for games: they’re dealing out nostalgia, creativity and connection in spades. Bicycle cards continue to be a global favourite, and it’s easy to see why.

With the new Toy Story movie pending, my favourite upcoming launch has to be our brand-new addition to the Bicycle/Pixar range: Toy Story Playing Cards. Featuring all the fan-favourite characters from the franchise, including Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear and Sheriff Woody, this new deck invites families to play together with all their Toy Story friends. As children can learn valuable life skills through playing cards, including maths, strategic thinking and sportsmanship, this is a great deck for family games nights.

Touching Base

Jo Duggan-Rees Senior Marketing manager, Asmodee UK

The rising popularity of travel games has been fascinating to observe over the years. Not only are they a hit during the classic summer travel season, but they’re also increasingly sought after during the festive period. It’s easy to see why they’ve become a favourite for so many shoppers. Their compact packaging makes them ideal for carrying on trips or fitting easily into stockings as Christmas gifts. Add to that their appealing low price point, which often hits the sweet spot for gifting, and it’s no surprise they sell well year-round. Travel games offer a blend of portability, entertainment and affordability that resonates with consumers looking for fun options without breaking the bank. You can also see a crossover in this category, with the rise in kidults looking for an alternative source of entertainment when hanging out with friends.

One of the launches I’m most excited about for Q4 is Brick Like This, our next collaboration with Lego. It’s a fast-talking, team-based party game where players race to build Lego models while having fun with family and friends. The twist is that only one person on the team knows what the model should look like: each round is a true test of teamwork, communication skills and patience.

Andrew

Hobbs Director, LA Brands

We’ve noticed a growing interest in games that offer more story and atmosphere. Fast-paced, pick-up-andplay games are still really popular, but there’s also a clear demand for experiences that are more immersive - particularly in the crime and mystery space. It seems like games that include a digital element are also on the rise. It’s interesting to see how the line between tabletop and online gaming is starting to blur. When it’s done well, that digital layer can really enhance the gameplay and keep players more engaged from start to finish.

I’m excited about our new Cryptic Killers case file, which launches in October. It drops players into a scenario where a murder has taken place in medieval times (think castles, barons, and jousting tournaments), but - like the majority of our gamesyou’re solving the crime in the present day using new information that has come to light over time, such as archaeological reports. The artwork is beautifully varied, and the overall feel is very immersive. It’ll be the 13th game in our popular range of Cryptic Killers case files, and it’s one we’ve had a lot of fun putting together. I can’t wait to see how players get stuck into it.

Fernanda Freitas

Brand & Licensing manager, Educa Borras

We’ve seen such an exciting shift this year in the way people are playing. Puzzles and games are no longer just for kids or rainy days; they’ve become a favourite way to unwind, connect and have fun across all age groups. More and more adults, especially millennials and Gen Z, are turning to puzzles as a form of digital detox and self-care because they’re screen-free, creative and surprisingly satisfying. What’s really interesting is how social puzzling has become. People are organising puzzle nights and speed challenges, even heading to puzzle cafés. It’s a whole new kind of shared experience. At the same time, quick and clever card or board games are on the rise. They’re easy to learn, fun to play and perfect for spontaneous moments with friends or family. People are clearly looking for things that are simple, beautiful and meaningfuland puzzles and games are delivering just that.

Our most exciting launch for Q4 is the Surprise Puzzle. A fun twist on the classic jigsaw, puzzlers have no idea what they’re building until they finish it. The only hint is a tiny keyhole image on the box - but this might be misleading. Inside the box there are up to five clues if puzzlers need a nudge, but the real fun is in the discovery. We’re launching with three totally different Surprise Puzzles, each with a quirky, unexpected image. They’re puzzles, games and surprise reveals all in one. We love how this line brings mystery and playfulness back into puzzling. It’s not just about the final picture: it’s about the journey of getting there.

Karen Clarke Brand director, Smart Toys and Games

Price points have been key during the first half of the year, and we’re sure they will continue to be a factor in the second half. We’re proud to have a wide selection of educational games and puzzles at sub-£15 RRPs, all of which have been in strong demand among both children and adults looking to keep themselves entertained.

Consumers are seeking a more social alternative to digital entertainment, with more board game cafes tapping into this rising demand. Our best-selling Genius collection, featuring Genius Square - which is host to more than 60,000 different solutions - sits beautifully on any gaming table alongside our single-player logic games.

All our games are strong contenders, but I would have to say our new IQ Deluxe collection is my favourite. We’ve listened to feedback from our customers and SmartGames fans and developed a brand-new collection of IQ games for teens and adults to enjoy. Our new premium collection of four titles includes unique puzzle shapes and some mind-boggling puzzles that players can enjoy again and again. My current favourites within the collection are IQ Circle and IQ Hexagon.

Touching Base

Rob Trounce Trade Marketing manager, Zatu Distribution

Emma Weber

We’ve seen a major shift towards 2-player games. There are several drivers behind this: couples looking to spend more quality time together by putting their phones down in favour of a meaningful shared experience; parents wanting to play with a single child, either because they’re an only-child or because there’s an age gap that means siblings can’t enjoy games together so easily and, simply, the ease of play – with just one other person needed, these games are far more accessible than those requiring a full group.

Some of our strongest sellers this year have been 2-player titles. Kelp, a purely 2-player game, pits players against each other in an asymmetric showdown as either a shark or an octopus, each with wildly different playstyles. Meanwhile, the Kinfire Delve series condenses a full dungeon-crawling adventure into a single deck of cards, with two players cooperating to overcome monsters and bosses. We’re also seeing continued success with Duel or Duo editions of popular games that were originally designed for larger groups. The appetite for smaller, quick-to-table experiences is clearly growing.

Our most exciting upcoming launch has to be A Gentle Rain. It offers something genuinely unique in the category: a focus on mindfulness through a game. It's a peaceful, meditative tile placement game designed primarily for solo play, though it can be enjoyed with more players too. The rules are simple, the gameplay is elegant, and the focus is on mindfulness. Players are encouraged to slow down, enjoy the tactile feel of the components and treat the experience as a calming ritual.

A short, 20-minute game that helps them switch off, we’ve had players tell us A Gentle Rain has become their go-to way to decompress after a stressful day, while for older children and young teens, it’s a powerful alternative to screenbased entertainment, offering a quiet, thoughtful space that contrasts beautifully with the noise of modern life. A Gentle Rain is more than just a game: it's an antidote to the excesses of modern life.

Senior Marketing and Licensing director, Vivid Goliath

While no single dominant trend has emerged this year, we’re seeing the continued expansion of the Kidult segment significantly influence the Games & Puzzles category. There's growing demand for titles that bridge the gap between family and adult audiences in particular, a trend we’ve seen reflected in the strong performance of games such as Murdle, Traitors and Scream. Social deduction, immersive storytelling and nostalgic or pop culture IPs continue to perform well. As a global business, Goliath continues to innovate in this area with upcoming launches like The Sims Board Game, which celebrates the franchise's 25th anniversary, and expand its horror-themed party game range with Chucky. These reflect an ongoing consumer appetite for themed, social and experience-led gameplay. It's hard to pick just one favourite. But if I can choose a few, in no particular order, I’d start with The Sims Board Game. We had an incredible sellout at Gen Con last month, and with strong retail distribution and a robust marketing plan, we’re expecting big things from the launch. Under the PlayMonster Family Games banner, we’re also excited about two new viral hits: Marshmallow Madness, a tiny-hand eating challenge, and Swallow Your Words, a hilariously messy sip-and-speak party game. Both titles are backed by standout influencer content and form the heart of our Q4 campaign strategy. Lastly, I have to mention Mastermind. With over 55m units sold since its launch, it’s a privilege to work on such an iconic, nostalgic brand — and even more rewarding to introduce its codebreaker challenge format to a new generation.

Gemma Lewington Marketing director,

University Games and Lagoon

There’s currently an emphasis on inclusivity, interaction and light-hearted entertainment, which continues to drive strong interest in the games and puzzles category. A notable shift this year is the growing demand for accessible, pick-upand-play games that allow players to dive straight into the fun without complicated set-ups or lengthy rule explanations. Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards games that are easy to learn and quick to get going, and that keep playing downtime to a minimum. This trend reflects a desire for games that maximise player inclusion and interaction, creating engaging, social experiences. We’ve seen a rise in demand for lines that fit this profile, such as Who’s in the Bag and Speedy Words.

When it comes to family games, consumers are looking for multi-generational titles such as Subbuteo, Blurt and Pointless. These all provide shared moments of light-hearted entertainment, connection and fun, whether during a family evening at home or a casual get-together with friends. At a recent TV commercial shoot we had a family playing Buying Time; it was wonderful to see a variety of ages play the game, challenge each other and discuss answers, laughing and interacting the whole time. Buying Time is a perfect example of a game in which the whole group feels part of the action.

Without question, Bullseye is the game I’m most looking forward to launching, although I would also highlight our new National Geographic - How Things Work Range of 3D build and play puzzles. Based on the unprecedented buzz at Toy Fair and the momentum that has continued throughout the year, Bullseye is one to watch. New and existing buyers alike have been very keen to support both the Bullseye Main Game and Mini Game, and as we move into Q4, there’s the new TV show to look forward to as well.

Touching Base

Isobel Walton

National Account manager, Big Potato

This year, one of the most notable shifts we’ve seen is the explosive growth in demand for travel-friendly games. In this category, we’re up +85% year-on-year across our top three titles. This surge highlights a significant consumer mindset shift: games are no longer just seasonal in Q4 but are becoming essentials during spring/summer and peak travel periods.

What’s particularly encouraging is that this growth isn’t limited to online sales. We're seeing equally strong performance in physical retail spaces, especially through impulse purchases in non-traditional environments. When positioned cross-category - such as near beverages or snacking in high-footfall stores - eye-catching compact games are flying off shelves. It’s clear that portability, price point and play-anywhere appeal are reshaping how, when and where people buy and play games.

That's Totally You is our one to watch for this year. It combines everything Big Potato is known for: bold visuals, quirky humour, and easy, social gameplay. From a marketing perspective, its standout colour palette and tactile centrepiece are perfect for showing off on TikTok and Instagram, making it highly shareable and visually sticky. On the retail side, early forecasting is extremely promising in the UK, with strong pickup from key partners. While we're still mid-launch, all the early indicators from our influencer campaigns suggest this will be one of our breakout hits of the year.

Steve Asbey

National Account manager, Cheatwell Games

The hobby games market is boomingjust ask anyone who was at Games Expo in June. Serious gamers are chasing new, richer worlds that offer strategy and at times are highly complex, but that can still finish before midnight. Our many new game releases this year tick that box; they’re highly replayable with beautiful components, and designed to hook newcomers while also satisfying seasoned players. At the same time, families are sticking with the quick, inclusive games they discovered during lockdown, as well as kids’ games that support STEM skill development and storytelling. These are Cheatwell’s speciality.

We’ve been a trusted name for innovative, quality family games for nearly 40 years. Now, with the introduction of hobby games such as Feed the Kraken and Guildlands, Cheatwell is expanding into more immersive, strategic and social gaming experiences - without losing our hallmark for quality and value.

Feed The Kraken offers players a thrilling, hidden-role social deduction adventure with a captivating pirate mythos. It’s perfect for players who love mystery, bluffing and teamwork. Guildlands showcases innovative world-building and tile placement, plus a competitive strategy, expanding our portfolio into exciting new territory. Both games bring modern, sought-after mechanics to our line-up, making Cheatwell a go-to supplier for both casual and hobby gamers. As for next year, Karak, Torres, One Hit Heroes and Ape Town are all in the pipeline for a 2026 launch.

Tim Maas

Marketing lead EMEA, Hasbro

We’ve noticed that the leading purchase drivers are previous play experiences or personal recommendations, so over the past year we’ve put greater emphasis on encouraging consumers to engage with more of our games and share their feedback. Whether that’s trying in-store demonstrations, hearing about us on social media from our advocacy programme or through joining us at games conventions, we’re creating more opportunities for people to connect with our products.

We’re excited for Connect 4 Frenzy, a fantastic new twist on the classic Connect 4 game. Everybody bounces their discs into the grid at the same time, with the aim of getting 4-in-a-row. Players can take over an opponent’s spot by landing their disc in the same place and can go head-to-head or play in teams in this fast paced, competitive game. It’s really very moreish!

Special Feature

Supporting small, playing big Asmodee

2025 has been an incredibly busy year for Asmodee, filled with new product launches, key promotions, leading initiatives and campaigns, special events and even a major anniversary.

According to Gareth Newman, trading cards have seen exceptional growth, with unprecedented demand across the games category, and board games are also performing strongly. He says: “These results have created plenty of work for our sales team as we handle the inevitable questions about stock allocation; everyone has their own idea of what’s fair. But in truth, these are the best kinds of challenges to have, and it’s fantastic to see such healthy demand across multiple categories.”

Trading card games have been a real standout this year, with Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering leading the charge. Pokémon has been the talk of the industry in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing down. TCG players have had lots to look forward to, with the release of Prismatic Evolutions in January, Journey Together in March, Destined Rivals in May, Black Bolt and White Flare in July and the highly anticipated Mega Evolutions to be released this month.

“While I can’t reveal too much just yet, 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, so I think it’s safe to say there’s a lot for fans to be excited about,” teases Gareth. “We anticipate another year of outstanding product launches and strong demand.”

Many indie retailers have struggled to keep stock due to Pokémon’s massive popularity, selling out within hours of opening on launch days. Gareth acknowledges the importance of managing stock carefully, stating: “Available product volumes are distributed among our partners based on clear, objective criteria to ensure fairness across all customers. While we know every store could sell more, this approach helps us maintain balance and ensure long-term relationships with our retailers. Looking ahead, I’m confident 2026 and beyond will be fantastic years for Pokémon fans and for the hobby side as a whole.”

Asmodee has also seen board game cafés really coming into their own this year, attracting more families and adult gamers than ever before. In terms of board games, Dobble and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza remain evergreen favourites, with new releases like Brick Like This, Flip 7 and The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship achieving strong early sales. “I fully expect these titles to be among our top performers as we head into peak season,” adds Gareth.

The indie sector is a crucial part of bringing Asmodee’s products and initiatives to the masses. Gareth elaborates: “Local game and toy stores offer something no mass retailer can replicate: a place where players connect in-person, try new games and build lasting friendships. They host regular gaming nights, tournaments and demo sessions for everyone, from seasoned players to newcomers, creating the kind of welcoming environment that keeps our hobby thriving.

“Meanwhile, our online indie partners excel at offering customers an unparalleled range of products with excellent availability. Together, they keep the tabletop gaming ecosystem healthy and growing.”

Asmodee has a symbiotic relationship with independents and helps them stand out against the major accounts. Gareth believes it’s worth noting that some of Asmodee’s own major accounts are themselves part of the Hobby and Independent sector, but there are several initiatives designed to give indie stores a competitive edge.

The Key New Release and Hobby Next programmes bring exclusive content to the hobby market, such as the recent Fellowship of the Ring Gandalf figure. “We’ve got more in the pipeline,” explains Gareth, “including a Star Wars: Legion Hondo Ohnaka miniature later this year. We’re also working closely with our supply partners to create more exclusive products and promotional giveaway items that help indie

Toy World’s Caroline Tonks caught up with Gareth Newman, head of Hobby Sales at Asmodee UK, to find out more about this year’s standouts and why Hobby and Independent retail is so important to the tabletop games distributor.

retailers deliver something unique to their customers.”

To help increase footfall in indie stores, the Asmodee marketing team is constantly developing ways to generate in-store demand and attract customers, from hosting special events and in-store demonstrations to running nationwide campaigns that encourage players to visit their local retailer.

“We’re also putting more emphasis on trade marketing, with sales and marketing teams collaborating closely to deliver creative, impactful activations,” states Gareth. “A great example is our upcoming Battle of Hoth launch events, which will take place at Entoyment and at Eclectic Games’ brandnew store. These events are designed to give fans a reason to come in, play and engage with the product in-person.”

The indies have seen Asmodee’s support and offerings first hand and have given nothing but positive feedback in return. The company is often cited first when indie retailers are asked who has been meeting their specific needs. Asmodee is described as being consistent, reliable and always delivers on time, while also working hard to keep everything up to date on what’s coming down the pipeline. Another mentioned that Asmodee can be relied on to be helpful and supportive. This location has recently become more of a trading card games store and welcomes the support it receives in running leagues for customers. This store’s strong start to the year is all thanks to Pokémon, and they can’t get enough of it.

Gareth concludes: “At Asmodee, we put players at the heart of everything we do – building meaningful connections between our players, our products and our people. The Hobby and Independent channel is central to that mission. These retailers aren’t just sales outlets; they are hubs for community, discovery and shared passion.”

Talking Shop

Thinking outside the box

Toy World finds out what’s selling in the Games & Puzzles category, how suppliers are supporting retailers and how customers are being encouraged to visit their local stores.

George Read - Firestorm Games, Gloucester

Our current best-sellers include the classic board game Catan, and the slightly more modern Mysterium, which launched in 2024. Both are from Asmodee. Mysterium is a Cluedo-esque game in which someone has been murdered, and the players are trying to find out who did it. The ghost of the victim can’t talk so has to use art cards to communicate with the players. It’s a very cool game and well worth looking out for. Mysterium taps into the demand for anything spooky or gothic, and the ongoing trend towards murder-mystery games and spiritualism. Here in Gloucester we have plenty of that going on, so the game is naturally very popular among people from the area.

Asmodee and Bliss Distribution are two of our biggest and best suppliers. They’re consistent, reliable and always deliver on time, while also working hard to keep us up to date on what’s coming down the pipe. When it comes to our approach to retail, my motto is: “Community first, profit second.” We keep a very healthy amount of stock here and offer a really wide range of games, as if people want to visit the store, and see what’s on the shelves, that breadth of stock is what will keep them coming back for more. This branch only opened in April but it’s going really well and we’re getting some great reviews on Google.

I think a lot more people are leaning towards board games now, as the video game market continues to suffer the impact of inflation on RRPs. Consumers increasingly want games and models; there’s so much more in the way of community. It’s social and connected. Players are putting down their phones to enjoy those elements of gaming, which is a real boon for the sector.

Mark Green  - The Yorkshire Jigsaw Store, York

AAt the moment, Jumbo’s Wasgij is one of our best-selling brands, but to be honest, any new or just launched puzzle sells well, irrespective of the theme or artwork. Believe it or not, some manufacturers began releasing their Christmas puzzles in the height of summer - and they’re already selling out. The Ravensburger Santa’s Steam Train Grotto, which is a limited edition, has been flying off the shelves, along with this year’s Christmas Puzzle Advent Calendar. With anything limited edition, that element of scarcity drives demand, and numbered series appeal to puzzlers who like to keep their collections complete. To those who’ve been collecting since day one, that’s very important.

This category is staunchly traditional, but newer introductions like puzzle advent calendars are growing in popularity. We started out with Eurographics calendars but have introduced them from Wasjig and Ravensburger now too – they are both brands that are popular with customers and they sell through well. I think this reflects a wider trend among consumers for calendars that aren’t just the usual chocolate ones. Although obviously very seasonal, these offer an ideal annual gifting option for true puzzle fans.

Speed puzzling is a relatively new phenomenon, but our customer demographic still tends to buy puzzles for leisure and enjoyment, as opposed to trying to complete them as quickly as possible. This is perhaps because the majority of our customer base is more mature, and it doesn’t matter if it takes them a week (or a month) to complete a scene. Speed puzzling seems to appeal to younger puzzlers, and I’m aware of the world championships held in Spain. Ravensburger is the main sponsor and produces puzzles especially for the solo and team competitors. It’s an area to keep an eye on.

Over the years, we’ve forged great relationships with reps at all the major puzzle suppliers. We really appreciate the continuity that comes with working with the same rep over time. At Jumbo, for example, we have a really strong relationship with the team; our contacts keep us up to date on upcoming releases and are there to assist with any issues that arise. At Gibsons, we have a dedicated account manager, with most orders now going through an online portal. This means we can place orders outside of working hours if needed, which is handy - and it means we’ve got the best of both worlds.

Talking Shop

Brendan Will - Will’s Toy Shop, Aberdeen

One of our biggest sellers at the moment is a game called Slide, from Gigamic Games. It’s a card game, nice and easy to demo in just 5-10 minutes, and simple for players to master too. Pick-up-andplayability is a core purchasing factor for consumers this year. Although it’s a tile-laying board game, Akropolis, from Asmodee, is similarly simple to learn and play (and so good!). Landing somewhere between Monopoly and Ticket to Ride - and with less danger of board-flipping and family falling outs - Akropolis doesn’t take too long to demo either; it’s easy for me to grab a group of customers and show it off instore.

Big Potato Games is a great supplier. The team really helps us out with demo support, giving us plenty of access to games for use in the shop. When consumers see how to play a game, and understand that the rules aren’t complex, it can really help secure a sale.

Our organised play zone is going from strength to strength. Our most recent Pokémon League event drew in 22 players which is excellent considering it’s only been running less than a year. As well as Pokémon, we now run play events for Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited – all games that are still pretty new to us, but all proving popular even though it’s early days. Magic and Star Wars appear to be the standouts; I’m having to keep a close eye on the events calendar to avoid organised play clashes with other gaming stores in the area.

Pokémon is a really interesting trading card game in the sense that demand is significantly outstripping stock availability. At some point I anticipate that it’ll swing the other way, and stock levels will outstrip demand. With that in mind, we’re focusing on building the strength of our league events, offering weekly organised play for committed fans that will still be there even when sales slow. Next year is the 30th anniversary of Pokémon so any slowdown probably won’t kick in until 2027, by which point our organised play programme will be well bedded in.

Les Cannon - Argosy Toys, Essex

During the summer holidays, Dobble has been one of our biggest sellers, particularly Dobble Waterproof which is perfect for trips to the beach. We’ve also sold plenty of family-friendly games from Big Potato: Colourbrain, Herd Mentality, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, etc. Ghost Blitz is another Big Potato game we’ve seen success with this year; we really like that one, it’s a great game – a bit like Dobble, but with wooden figures. Classic games are still as popular as ever too, such as Battleships, Monopoly, Kerplunk, Frustration, Scrabble and Uno.

Big Potato develops some of the quirkiest, most colourful “wackaging” on the market. It instantly catches your eye when it’s on a shelf, and the puns on the boxes are always very amusing too. The games make people stop and take notice. We also sell significant amounts of games from Orchard Toys for the younger generation. It’s such a popular brand with parents and grandparents, so we stock a large selection in-store year-round and give it plenty of space. The packaging is colourful and it’s very easy to shop, too: the age ratings are right on the front of the box and the rules and learning outcomes are totally clear. I’d also like to highlight KandyToys, which offers very affordably priced versions of some of the world's most iconic games, and also makes travel versions for as little as £2.99, which are perfect for parents in need of quick and cheap ways to keep the kids entertained on holiday or while travelling. We also carry a very extensive range of Pokémon, which remains hugely popular.

As a retailer, we are known for the way we engage with our customers. We’re one of very few indie toy stores to be listed on Trip Advisor, because we’re a true destination shop. Our approach is to be chatty and friendly, always on hand to help without ever being pushy. We’ll always show customers what they’d like to see and that includes demoing games.

In the Games & Puzzles category, you’re always going to see a split between traditional and modern styles. You’d think that by now, every household in the UK would have its own Scrabble, Rummikub or Monopoly set, but we still see huge numbers of all three selling each year. Top Trumps sells in good numbers too. Gibsons puzzles are popular with older consumers thanks to their traditional scenes and themes, while Ravensburger puzzles are a hit with many younger people, being that bit more modern and tapping into major licences a lot of the time. I’m always happy to see things evolve and change; there are games Big Potato produced two or three years ago that it doesn’t offer any more, because it’s had to make room for the new stuff. I’ve no problem with that whatsoever; change is good.

Talking Shop

Anthony Lown - Wargames Workshop, Milton Keynes

TTrading card games, such as Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering and Star Wars Unlimited, are - and always will be - one of the most popular types of games out there, in large part due to their collectability in addition to the gameplay. Pokémon is crazy at the moment; the collectability is through the roof, and the online resale market has resulted in some bad behaviour from scalpers, so we’re limiting the numbers people can buy from us. Not only does that mean we don’t really suffer with scalpers, but it also ensures our loyal customers can get their hands on what they want. In board games, we see such a huge spread of best-sellers it’s hard to pick any title out in particular, but consumers seem to be leaning towards party games as well as high-end, complex strategy games requiring a significant skill level.

Asmodee is our biggest supplier. The team is supportive: we can phone them at any time with questions and queries and they’re very forthcoming with the information we need. Asmodee also supports us with demo stock for new launches, where possible. But it’s the TCG suppliers that really come through on competition prizes and stock for giveaways, especially when we’re running tournaments.

I see collectible card games increasing in popularity even more over the coming year. More and more consumers are now picking them up to play as a family, so they’re muscling in on board games in that respect. The companies behind these games are also driving this category evolution by shifting their focus towards card games and away from board games.

Wargames Workshop is very fortunate in that everyone who works here is a specialist in a particular part of the Games sector, be that TCGs, strategy board gaming, wargaming and miniatures and so on. If a customer has a question, they can usually get a detailed answer from someone there and then – and if they can’t, then we have someone we can call. You can’t teach that; I can show someone how to use the till system, how to serve a customer, how to stock a shelf, but I can’t teach them knowledge about gaming. That has to come from passion. We’re keen to share that passion and build communities in which people can have fun. Of course, we’re a business and we’re here to make money - but our primary focus is still that instore customer experience.

WWe’re in a very touristy area, so in the summer we have a lot of visitors and students coming in and buying playing cards. We stock a wide range of the premium, high-end Bicycle and Theory11 playing cards, which sell incredibly well. This year, we’ve seen a drop in sales of big-box board games, with the focus shifting towards smaller, quick-to-play games. Oink Games has a great range of these, with titles such as Scout – like all its games - being only a little bigger than a regular pack of cards. They retail for around £10-£20 RRP so although they’re not that cheap, they pack a lot into a small package that can be thrown in a bag and taken to the beach or beer garden. They’re quick to learn too. Kariba is another title which our customers love, with a very similar small format to Scout.

Hachette Boardgames is also always a pleasure to work with, and the team is so enthusiastic.

Hachette is a go-to at trade shows because the team’s energy is infectious; I’ll happily spend an hour on the stand just learning all the new games.

Last year, we started setting up monthly in-store chess puzzles. There’s one that’s a little easier and more accessible, and one that’s much harder and more complex. It’s been unbelievably popular with tourists and students alike; some will spend an hour sitting at a table, trying to work out how to get checkmate in two moves, for example. Customers tell us they love the fact we offer traditional games, such as chess, backgammon, mahjong and Go, alongside more modern games. Hoyles is both an exciting and nostalgic store, and our customers respond to the product mix really well. By offering such a wide range of games, we capture consumers across all generations. We also stock vintage board games such as Totalopy, Blast Off and Stratego, which go down really well with older consumers. Indie board games from smaller studios, and the dice sets that go along with them, have been selling well. It’s been lovely to see how successful the indie RPG scene has been this year. We obviously stock Pokémon too, which has been insane this year - to the point we took it off the website to combat scalpers and ensure our loyal shoppers can get their hands on it.

Competition from eCommerce remains a challenge for our business, so we choose to focus on our in-store experience. Our footfall is high, even though we are located at the quieter end of the city centre, and following the success of our chess puzzles, we’re planning more demoing, perhaps also some Speed Cube time trials. We’ve just started working with local indie pubs on chess and backgammon nights. Our website, which we’re currently redesigning and relaunching, will soon include an events page covering the local area – not just the ones we’re holding. Whatever we can do to make the local experience better, we’ll happily share. All our storage is on site, so if it’s on the website it’s also available in-store, and vice versa. Customers can buy online and collect in-store, even order in-store and get it shipped home. We recently had an American customer who bought a high-end Go set. We’re shipping it to the US for him, so it will be there when he gets home. I love that we can offer that joined up customer experience.

Finally, we have a mobile number linked to our website, which customers can call for advice. They can video call us and we’ll take them on a tour around the shop to show them what’s available.

Emily Scaysbrook - Hoyles of Oxford

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Insight

To monitor what’s happening in the ever-changing toy market, Circana collects point-of-sale information from all major toy retailers. This information, combined with our analysts’ industry perspectives, delivers a comprehensive view of what’s selling and where. We also field over 12m consumer surveys annually to help industry leaders understand why consumers shop where they shop and why they buy what they buy. For more information visit www.circana.com.

Everything to play for

Games & Puzzles is one of the largest supercategories in the UK toy market, and Rory looks at which subclasses within the sector are delivering a strong performances this year.

The Games and Puzzles supercategory is the fourth largest supercategory in the UK toy market in 2025, which put it in the same position as it was at this stage in 2024 and 2023. It is the top performing supercategory in 2025, with a trend of +38% vs. the same period in 2024. Within the overall supercategory there are different trends for the various subclasses: core Games is flat, Trading Cards is up +100% and Puzzles has a trend of -6%. Trading Cards is the clear growth driver this year, with Pokémon sales having a large impact.

Strategic Trading Cards is the largest subclass and makes up just over 50% of value in the supercategory, with the strong growth this year meaning this share is 16 percentage points higher than in 2024. The top performing subclasses in Games this year are Travel Games, Adult Games and Card Games, though Family Board/Action Games is the largest in value size and worth around 19% of all Games value. The growth within Travel Games is being driven by

Connect 4 and Uno, with this category having a particularly good July as the schools finished up for the summer and families headed off on holiday. The growth in Adult Games is being helped by new items adding value, like Scream: The Game from Funko and The Chameleon Game from Big Potato, both of which appear in the top items list this year. Card Games had a strong July, and possibly benefited from the summer holidays starting, with Uno and Dobble both showing a strong positive trend in the month of July. So far this year, Uno has taken the top two spots and Uno Show Em No Mercy is enjoying sales well ahead of this stage last year. Family Board/Action Games is the largest subclass and has also seen a +1% growth this year, with Monopoly and Jenga from Hasbro taking the top two spots. The Traitors Board Game from Vivid Goliath is the No. 3 item and continues its strong performance from 2024.

In Puzzles, the overall category is -6% this year, which is behind the overall trend for total toys. There is a similar trend across all the subclasses with Adult Puzzles at -7%, Children’s Puzzles at -5% and 3D Puzzles at -4%. But the

Puzzles category has seen an improving trend in the last couple of months with June flat and July seeing a positive trend of +3%. Licensing accounts for around 40% of the overall value of the segment, and the top three licences in Puzzles are Lilo & Stitch, Pokémon and Bluey, with Lilo & Stitch the strongest performer for value gain followed by Sonic the Hedgehog and Disney Moana. The Portapuzzle De Luxe 1000 from Jumbo is the top item in Puzzles followed by the Bluey 4 In A Box Puzzle Set and the 3D Puzzle Lilo And Stitch 72 Pieces, both from Ravensburger.

Overall, the Games & Puzzles trend is the strongest category trend in toys, adding nearly £43m to the UK toy market so far in 2025. This is heavily weighted towards Strategic Trading Cards but there are still good performances from Games subclasses like Card Games and Adult Games. With the all-important festive season still to come, this may well push the current trends in Puzzles into positive ones.

“ I WiSh iT CoUlD Be ChRiStMaS EvErYdAy!” I

Bring a little joy to the world this Christmas. Well, joy and a bit of competitive spirit.

NEW

2.5M VIEWSSOCIALON MEDIA BEST SELLER CHRISTMAS 2024 AMAZON

Games & Puzzles

01483 449 944

www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk

Vivid Goliath is gearing up for a dynamic autumn/ winter season, with a portfolio across a broad spectrum of categories, from Kids Action and Murder Mystery to TV Game Shows, Family favourites, Party hits and beyond.

The company’s dynamic pre-school portfolio includes Shark Bite, Lucky Ducks, Floor is Lava, Pop the Pig, Don’t Wake Dad and Gooey Louie. These perennial favourites continue to capture the hearts of kids and parents, solidifying the company’s position as a trusted leader in the category.

Vivid Goliath is partnering with The Sims franchise to create the first-ever board game based on The Sims, one of the most beloved and best-selling video game franchises of all time. Timed to celebrate The Sims’ 25th Birthday in 2025, the new board game will bring The Sims into homes around the world with a whole new way to play.

Joining family classics Sequence and Triominos, Mastermind is one of the best-selling games of all time, with more than 55m units sold. The fast, simple strategy game of code maker vs code breaker allows players to take turns setting up and deciphering codes.

In Adult Trend, Unsolved Case Files enters the 5th instalment of the best-selling murder mystery crime game series. Players must bring about justice for a famous war heroine with a game that features over 50 pieces of evidence, including newspaper articles, crime scene photographs, phone records, coroner's report, suspect interrogations, witness statements, fingerprint analysis and much more.

On the back of the success of the Scream Party Game, which launched last season, horror fans will enjoy Chucky, featuring the iconic crazy doll celebrating 36 years of terror, in a Party Game of survival. Players work together as they explore an abandoned toy store, trying to survive the night and destroy Chucky before he transfers his soul into players.

With the launch of Goliath Digital Studio, more innovations are launching into the Digital Hybrid space under the Lucky Duck brand. New for autumn/winter is Critter Kitchen; Restaurant Week in Bistro Bay means challenges are set for restaurants to meet, and a Critic will be coming to determine who is the greatest restaurateur.

Murdle continues to puzzle fans with the immersive board game supported by more puzzle books set to launch throughout 2025. With a Celebrity Special on air later this year. Goliath’s Traitors fan base will be able to discover who is Faithful or a Traitor at their very own Round Table.

The PlayMonster Games range continues to delight with the best-selling classic Five Crowns, along with 5 Second Rule and the travel version to keep families entertained on the go. Skill and action games like Pigs on Trampolines keep the category full of energy and entertainment, and coming later this year, Marshmallow Madness and Swallow Your Words have been created to inspire social content that is sure to go viral.

Mattel

01628 500 000 | www.mattel.com

Mattel continues to strengthen its iconic games portfolio in 2025 with new additions to brands such as Uno and Pictionary.

Uno continues to be one of the world’s top selling card games, and in 2025 Mattel is bringing elevated new extensions to excite fans. Uno Spin puts a different spin on Classic Uno gameplay that's fun for everyone. Players take turns playing their Uno cards by matching the colour, number or action to get rid of all their cards. When a spin card is played, that player must spin the wheel, then follow the action. Different spin powers like Colour Draw, Swap Hands, Colour Discard or Double Spin can be real game changers, especially if someone forgets to yell "Uno".

Players who enjoy the classic Uno card game can also try their hand at Uno Zero with another exciting twist. The goal is to achieve the lowest score possible, aiming for the ultimate of zero. Instead of holding cards in their hand, players start the game by creating a 2x3 grid of facedown cards; then swap high-value cards for low-value ones to outwit their opponents and hit low scores. The game includes special graphic symbols added to each card to help identify the colour(s) on that card, allowing players with any form of colour blindness to play.

Family favourite Pictionary has a new way to play, with Pictionary Pic-Tato, a twist on the classic family drawing game. The Pic-Tato plays music as players draw clues and after a clue is guessed, the Pic-Tato says which way to pass so another player can draw a new clue. With each correct guess, the players attain points and the player with the greatest number of points after the music ends, wins. Players must ensure not to be the one left holding the Pic-Tato.

Games & Puzzles

University Games

020 7254 0100 | www.university-games.co.uk

The best-selling Games and Puzzles range from University Games and Lagoon has something for everyone this Christmas.

Buying Time is a new, fast-paced, strategic party game that combines risk-taking betting with verbal and acting challenges – perfect for the whole family. Players must buy enough time to answer all the card questions and win money. The game is for 4-10 players.

In the new, award-winning University Games’ Bullseye Board Game, players take aim at the dartboard with the magnetic darts, then attempt to answer trivia questions across the nine classic TV show categories to win Bully’s Star Prize. Also available is the Bullseye Mini Dice Game, which can be played on its own or as an add-on to the main game, ideal at home or on the go. These games are already proving a huge hit with consumers, and the brand-new series of the TV classic Bullseye will air this autumn, alongside an extensive marketing campaign to add to the momentum.

University Games’ evergreen classics include Perudo, the renowned liar dice game of both skill and luck; Pointless, the interactive game based on the popular TV show; and Blurt, a hilarious, fast-paced race to find the right answer.

The company’s extensive pre-school and children’s ranges star beloved characters from children’s storybooks, from Matilda, Gangsta Granny and Dog Man to Paddington, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Where’s Wally. These best-selling licensed ranges offer a variety of entertaining and educational games, puzzles and card games featuring favourite characters, making them a popular gift choice and great lines for retailers this Christmas.

Brain teasers and word puzzles are hugely popular right now, and the wooden Project Genius Puzzles range is full of them, with new arrivals Bamboo Cribbage and the Grecian Computer joining best sellers Bamboo Mancala and Bamboo Sudoku games alongside the Chinese Pagoda and Egyptian Triglyph brain teasers, to provide retailers with a high quality gifting range.

The iconic table football game Subbuteo continues to grow in popularity as new generations develop a love for the game. The best-selling range headlines with the original Main Game, which contains everything needed to kick off the match and a lifelong passion for Subbuteo. Other licensed sets include the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool FC, Official FA England and Lionesses Main Games. A variety of Player Teams and accessories complete the range and include the Training Set and Electronic Scoreboard and Timer.

University Games’ football-themed collection continues with an extensive range of Licensed 3D Football Stadiums and Rubik’s Cubes featuring Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur, along with Wembley Stadium and an England Rubik’s Cube.

The Murder Mystery Party range from University Games continues to go from strength to strength and is perfect for budding detectives. The best-selling Murder Mystery Case Files range with titles that include Death in Antarctica, Fire in Adlerstein and Mile High Murder offer crime-busting entertainment for single players or groups. The range also contains nine murder mystery puzzles as well as a series of murder mystery dinner party games.

020 8049 1377 | sales@epochmakingtoys.com

Epoch Games has further expanded its collection of Jurassic World games after adding the licence to its portfolio of tabletop games last year. Tying in to Jurassic World Rebirth, which hit cinemas in July, Adventure Challenge sees players use the levers and buttons to guide the ball to safety, overcoming all the tricky obstacles and fierce dinosaurs along the way. In Maze Challenge, players attempt to escape the maze as quickly as they can, driving the ball through the maze by tilting it up and down and looking out for the fearsome dinosaurs trying to obstruct their mission. The maze units can be swapped and twisted so that players can try a different route every time. Suitable for one player, age four years and up, both games come with four 2D dinosaur plates, which feature in the new movie and can be used interchangeably with any other Jurassic World tabletop game from Epoch Games. No batteries are required.

Launching later this autumn will be the Jurassic World Twin Tornado Attack. Players act as a rescue ranger on a helicopter, striving to save the dinosaurs from the dangerous island. Players dodge the spinning tornado tops, aiming to be the first to reach the helipad and rescue the dinosaurs. The game is suitable for 1-4 players, ages four plus, and no batteries are required.

Super Mario will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in September, and new to Epoch Games' popular lineup of branded games is the Super Mario Question Block Game. Offering several ways to play, players can enjoy a classic game of Bingo or race to flip a card and find the matching item in the hidden box. The game is suitable for 2-6 players, ages four years and up.

Counting Down the Days

Our festive jigsaw advent calendar is perfect for puzzle fans.

24 x 54-piece puzzles celebrating Christmas around the world

Puzzles can also be combined to create one large jigsaw

Special Edition No. 29 Santa’s Grotto Train 1000-piece (12001583)

Home for Christmas 1000-piece (12001465)

London’s Christmas Spirit 1000-piece (12001584)

Christmas Puzzle Advent Calendar (12004246)

Games & Puzzles

Ravensburger

01869 363 830 | www.ravensburger.com

Ravensburger is set to deliver a wealth of choice to the games and puzzle category throughout the second half.

As well as the arrival in stores this month of Fabled, the next chapter of Disney Lorcana TCG, Ravensburger also presents the Glimmers of the Realm series of six 1000-piece puzzles. Each one features original art from the Disney Lorcana trading card game and will include a Mickey Mouse True Friend promo card. The jigsaws feature a collage of beloved Disney characters (known as Glimmers) and are themed to a colour of a magical ink that powers the realm of Lorcana. Amber, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Amethyst and Steel editions are available.

Ravensburger’s latest limited edition festive puzzle is Roy Trower’s Santa’s Steam Train Grotto design. This 1000-piece puzzle is number 29 in the collectible series. UK artists Georgia Breeze and Angela Holland both provide contemporary takes on festive puzzles with London’s Christmas Spirit and Home for Christmas 1000-piece puzzles, respectively.

Among the lineup for children’s 2D puzzles for Christmas this year, Ravensburger introduces a new Peppa Pig Christmas Giant Floor Puzzle. This large 24-piece puzzle features new family addition, baby Evie. The new Speedy Puzzle range adds a playful race element to puzzling: each set includes four 35-piece puzzles, and players race to complete theirs and press the buzzer. They might get an extra challenge or two along the way thanks to the action tokens included.

Bestselling Disney 3D Stitch with Ears puzzle is joined by Angel with Ears 3D puzzle in the second half. The company also presents an Iconics series of 3D puzzles with a premium new look, showcasing new and existing hits from its lineup, such as Lamborghini Huracan and Eiffel Tower.

Ravensburger’s Oh My Pigeons! game was recently crowned Best Family Game in the coveted Imagination Gaming awards, and joining it in the company’s social party game lineup is Match Me If You Can. With an easy to learn format, players are challenged to read the minds of some highly unexpected items and second-guess what answers their opponents would give in order to score points.

Disney Villainous Unstoppable! takes inspiration from the hit game franchise and opens up the world of Villainous for younger players. Featuring many of the elements which fans of the series know and love, including deluxe 3D movers, the game is designed for players aged seven and upwards, with the action now played around a shared board.

Guinness World Records: The Ultimate Card Game will test players’ memories as they try to answer questions based on a series of real-world records. Designed for players from seven years to adult, it’s perfect for family game nights with team play at its heart and additional variations to ensure a level playing field for younger players.

The Horrified game franchise welcomes a hotly anticipated new edition in Horrified Dungeons & Dragons. Fans of the iconic RPG will recognise many familiar features, including the included d20 die - a must for Dungeons & Dragons players.

Learning Resources

www.learningresources.co.uk | salessupportuk@learningresources.com

Inspired by the BAFTA award-winning Numberblocks CBeebies TV series, Learning Resources’ range of Numberblocks games and puzzles bring the foundational maths principles seen in the episodes to life for children aged three and up.

Trade customers will find fun options for solitaire as well as tabletop small group game play, each developed to create an immersive learning experience through purposeful play.

As children twist, flip and place the pieces onto the 50 puzzle challenges in the Numberblocks Puzzle Solver, they’ll be building their maths, problem-solving, critical thinking and spatial reasoning skills through hands-on play. Perfect for solo play, the pieces and activity cards store inside the game case, making it ideal for playing at home or on the go.

Children can count, stack and get creative with Numberblocks Wooden Building Blocks Activity Set. Players will develop a range of early maths skills as they work through the included 20 activities with Numberblocks One to Five.

Made from durable card and sized for little hands, Learning Resources’ three Numberblocks educational jigsaws help young children build number sense through fun puzzle play; there are Counting, Adding and Subtracting, and Sequencing puzzle sets in the range. In addition, the company offers Numberblocks Memory Match as well as Numberblocks Playing Cards, which provide number-focused updates on classic childhood games.

The learning fun extends to tabletop and board games with the new Numberblocks Dominoes Set. This update on a traditional childhood game has colourful dominoes which show numbers 1 to 6 in four ways and is ready for game play with up to four players. Joining Learning Resources’ range of tabletop games is the innovative Numberblocks Race to Pattern Palace. Inspired by the popular Pattern Palace episode, in this game 2 to 4 players learn about and create patterns as they move Numberblocks One to Four over bridges through twists and around turns on the game board, using coloured tiles to create the patterns shown on the pattern cards.

Learning Resources looks forward to collaborating with trade customers in 2025 to create tailored marketing campaigns that support their online and in-store promotions and activations. Reach out via the contact details above to find out more.

Games & Puzzles

John Adams

01480 414 361 | www.johnadams.co.uk

John Adams continues to strengthen its position in the family entertainment market with a portfolio of new games and puzzles that cater to all age groups and interests.

Don't Panic is a quick-thinking, naming game. Players race against the timer to provide speedy answers to simple questions, such as name 7 pizza toppings. The game is supported with a 360 marketing campaign that includes VOD, digital, YouTube, social content and influencer partnerships. The Magic Tooth Fairy, the classic gold coin collecting game, is back with a fresh new design featuring a fairy that flutters her wings and magically transforms tooth tokens into golden coins. Simple gameplay creates memorable family moments while tapping into the magic of the tooth fairy. The Bridge of Lies board game, based on the popular BBC gameshow, challenges fans of the show to navigate across a bridge while they decide truth from lies. Players must race against the timer to get their team across the Bridge of Lies and avoid the lies to win. The game includes 100 question bridges to test trivia and general knowledge skills.

Smart 10 is the bestselling family quiz game with millions of units sold around the world. Each question comes with 10 answer choices, so players must pick wisely to outsmart the other players in this bluffing trivia game. The History Trivia Game UK Edition features over 2,000 questions spanning human knowledge from the Big Bang all the way to today. Six diverse categories include Arts & Culture, Sports & Recreation and the 80s & 90s for broad generational appeal, perfect for family gatherings.

You Ain't Seen Muffin Yet, the new super quick-to-play game, offers a delicious twist on hide and seek. The muffin’s timer is ticking, and players must sniff it out before the alarm rings. Including 100 wacky challenge cards, from marching to moonwalking, this game is as silly as it is sweet. D-Koi is a fast-to-play and easy to learn game which celebrates how well players know their family or friends. One player gives three real answers and one sneaky D-Koi wrong answer. Players must use their fish sucker to grab the right answer quickly and avoid picking the wrong answer. Original Games is a new adultonly party games range with side-splitting, cry-out-loud laughter and jaw-dropping moments from the 18+ games; What Did You Say?, Unhinged, Red Pill Blue Pill and Am I The A**hole?

The Prime 3D puzzle range includes a new 500-piece Stitch Prime 3D Puzzle. Other 3D licensed puzzles include Star Wars, Disney Princess, Marvel, DC, Harry Potter, Discovery and Animal Planet. Each puzzle piece has multiple layers that bring it to life with an incredible 3D effect.

All key new launches will benefit from strong campaigns with digital, PR, influencer and social media support.

Smart Toys and Games

01903 885 669 | uk@smart.be

SmartGames’ upcoming autumn launches are bursting with brain-busting themes and innovative mechanics to engage the minds of children and adults alike.

Launching just in time for season two of Netflix's popular Wednesday series is Graveyard Shift, a brand new 1-player puzzle game where players must plan a route for the girl and her cat to try and escape the skeletons and reach the graveyard exit. Players move and rotate the puzzle pieces to an adjacent empty spot to create a path. Suitable for players aged 10+, this sequential puzzle comes with 80 spooky challenges.

This autumn also sees the arrival of Genius Connection, the new addition to the bestselling Genius collection. Players roll the dice and place the starting pieces in the indicated positions, then race to make the connection and fill up the gameboard with the remaining puzzle pieces. Players aged 8+ can enjoy endless random dice challenges or explore the 576 card-based puzzles, ranging from easy to difficult.

This quarter will see the launch of IQ Deluxe, a new collection of IQ Games especially designed for adults. With four new sophisticated puzzle games to collect and complete, each game includes a luxurious hardback challenge book with 120 challenges. For adults counting on a real challenge, IQ Hexagon, IQ Pentagon, IQ Square and IQ Circle are sure to leave players puzzled for hours. There is only one solution for each challenge, which can be revealed at the end of the challenge booklet. The collection is suitable for players aged 14+.

Brand new for SmartGames pre-school puzzle games, which will sit alongside bestsellers Three Little Piggies and Little Red Riding Hood, is Hide & Seek. Set around the story of the Wolf and 7 Goats, players must help the seven young goats hide beneath the furniture before the wicked wolf discovers them. Great for ages 3-7 years, Hide & Seek is a game that tests players' deduction as they use their concentration skills to keep the little goats hidden while mother goat is away. Players can use the clues provided in the challenge booklet to keep them concealed. The game includes 48 challenges and a picture story book to keep little ones entertained for hours.

With a growing collection of brands at Smart Toys & Games, the team is always on hand to help support retailers grow their

the company and is happy to provide demonstration samples for stores to have out on display, along with pre-organised in-store demonstration

Games & Puzzles

Educa Borras

international@educaborras.com

Educa Borras is preparing a strong finish to 2025 with a wave of highimpact puzzles and games that combine timeless play patterns with fresh design. Perfect for families, early learners and gift shoppers, this season’s range blends speed, dexterity, visual perception and tactile fun across a variety of formats and price points.

Puzzle Battle brings the energy of real-world speed puzzling to the tabletop. Players race against the clock (and each other) to complete their 42-piece puzzle faster than their opponents, with each set offering 12 mini puzzles for endless replayability. Designed to boost focus and fine motor skills, the game is available in three themes – Art, Travel and Nature, ideal for ages 7+. For younger children, Puzzle Battle Junior (ages 4–8) offers simpler 9-piece puzzles across Fantasy, Stories and Animals themes. Each box includes 16 puzzles and image-matching cards to support early development.

For fast-paced visual gameplay, Lynx has over 50 years of history and is a trusted choice across generations. The lineup includes My First Lynx, featuring 36 large-format images for children aged 24 months+, and Lynx Junior, with 70 images tailored to ages 4+. The full-size Lynx 400 edition provides a fast, reflex-driven challenge for 1–6 players ages 6+.

Conector, the company’s bestselling line of educational quiz games, continues to perform strongly thanks to its unique light-up pen mechanic and compact, screen-free format. The range encourages self-correcting play and independent learning across all age groups. Conector Baby supports visual and motor development in toddlers aged 24 months+, while Conector Logic and Conector Quiz challenge children aged 3–6 with over 95 questions each across eight themed cards. All sets come in a book-style format with light and sound pens included. Conector Peppa Pig offers a character-led version with the same educational benefits.

Crazy Blocks delivers instant action with its spring-loaded stacking base. Inspired by classic block-drop games, players must quickly fit colourful pieces into the board before the mechanism explodes. Easy to learn and hard to put down, it’s ideal for children aged 6+ seeking solo fun or group play.

Rounding out the season is Educa’s latest innovation: the 3D Puzzle Cube collection. Each cube features six 36-piece puzzles that assemble into a premium 12 x 12 cm display cube. Designed for teen and adult puzzlers (ages 14+), the initial launch includes Art, Travel and Aesthetic, with new additions Wonder and NY Panorama adding collector appeal and gifting potential. All versions feature high-quality plastic pieces and retail in elegant cube packaging.

Tomy

01392 281 927 | www.tomy.com

Tomy, known for a wide selection of popular board games for kids and adults, is set to grow and expand its portfolio with a range of new releases for gaming fans of all ages ahead of Christmas 2025.

Newly launched Spin-Fessions is a game about imagination, spinning a great yarn, telling a funny story, sometimes keeping quiet and occasionally letting the truth out. Players spin the wheels on the box to generate a random challenge. All players must answer the awkward question, tell an anecdote, confess a misdemeanour or maybe tell a lie – whatever the wheels prompt them to do. They can play cards to get them off the hook or earn bonus points, then vote for the player who did the best job.

Extreme Silence is a nerve-jangling ‘don’t make a sound’ party game where crazy challenges have to be carried out in silence. It’s cleverly designed so it can be played at home using all kinds of everyday props, and players can customise the game so it’s different every time. Opponents listen in using the Decibel Detector, a sound-sensitive device that features an alarm.

Unveiled at Toy Fair and a showstopper at the UK Games Expo, Tomy’s hotly anticipated Human Controller means all players need is trust and blind faith. An ideal party game for groups of friends, participants will send each other blindfolded around the room, bumping into other players and looking for the exit. Players download the app, put on the headset, take turns as the Human and relinquish all control. The Controller sends directional signals from their smart device to the headset as the Human carries out one of 30 hilarious interactive tasks. Players could be dancing, drawing, pouring drinks or laying an egg like a chicken, all while blindfolded.

Perfect for Disney fans, Tomy has just launched the Disney Logo Board Game packed with pictures, characters and magical moments from films like The Lion King, Toy Story, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Cars, Encanto, Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast and more. Players answer questions, guess characters and spot logos as they race around the board.

Coinciding with the new season of BBC One’s Weakest Link, Tomy is launching The Weakest Link Board Game this September, so families can play from anywhere. Players answer trivia questions, build chains and bank the most money to stay in the game, just like the real thing. The set includes a real countdown timer, rotating player podiums and 1000 questions to keep pressure on the contestants.

Contact information: www.cartamundi.com Contact: scott.garnerbundy-higgs@cartamundi.com Bicycle® Playing Cards offers a diverse range of playing cards, including officially licensed merchandise featuring iconic designs and themes for all ages and interests

Games & Puzzles

Orchard Toys

01953 859 539 | www.orchardtoys.com sales@orchardtoys.com | orders@kayes.co.uk

Orchard Toys’ award-winning line-up of educational games and jigsaws is loved by parents, teachers and children, making the range a brilliant sales opportunity for retailers. ‘Learning Made Fun’ sits at the heart of each of product, and all feature fun gameplay, bright, colourful illustrations, thick, quality card pieces for durability and great price points.

New lines are being added to the core portfolio this year, as well as the hugely successful The World of Peter Rabbit collection. Together, they offer retailers choice, and popular themes known to be huge sellers - farm animals, dinosaurs and adored brand licences.

Dinosaur Number Eggs is an engaging early number game that blends education with fun. Designed for children aged 3+, players race to hatch the most baby dinosaurs while avoiding the T-Rex wild card. It’s great for early learners to help develop their number recognition and counting skills in a hands-on way, while promoting social interaction and friendly competition.

Colour Match Express is an engaging first colour matching game. Players fill their train by rolling the dice and matching the friendly coloured animals and carriages. Featuring interchangeable jigsaw pieces, a different train can be made every time. With options for easier and more challenging gameplay, repeat play value is guaranteed, and the chunky wipe-clean pieces will stand up to the rigours of everyday play by little hands. This game is ideal for children aged 3-6 years.

Spotty Cows is the latest addition to the best-selling Orchard Toys mini games collection and is ideal for children aged 3- 6 years. The compact, portable game is perfect for fun at home or on the go. It’s a simple and engaging game featuring friendly cow characters, for children to develop counting skills and turn-taking in a farm-themed game at a great price point.

The World of Peter Rabbit 50-piece Puzzle introduces young children to the timeless charm of the beloved characters and iconic locations from the Beatrix Potter stories. Children will enjoy piecing together this detailed scene inspired by The World of Peter Rabbit. It captures the charm of above-ground adventures and the secret world beneath, showcasing Mr. McGregor’s garden, Jeremy Fisher’s pond and the hidden rabbit burrows. Also included in the box is a giant poster and a Learning Guide designed to encourage discussion and observation. The puzzle is perfect for children aged 4 years and over.

Mr. McGregor’s Garden 25-piece Puzzle features a charming and detailed scene, including the iconic watering can and familiar robin perched on the spade handle. Included in the box is a giant poster and a learning guide, introducing children to all the characters and activities to encourage discussion and extend learning once the puzzle is complete. Ideal for children from 3 years.

Orchard Toys classic farm-themed games and puzzles continue to be best sellers. Farmyard Heads and Tails, Old MacDonald Lotto, Big Tractor and Who’s on the Farm all continue to offer retailers a great sales opportunity.

LA Brands

www.cryptickillers.com | team@cryptickillers.com

Cryptic Killers has announced the expansion of its bestselling range of unsolved murder mystery case files for 2025.

Currently offering 11 unique cases, the brand will add three new titles by the end of 2025, bringing the collection to 14 standalone mysteries. Each case offers players a fresh set of characters, suspects, motives and puzzles to solve. Players step into the shoes of the lead detective, examining printed evidence, uncovering hidden clues and even accessing online content to crack the case. With gameplay lasting 2–3.5 hours and difficulty ratings tailored to different skill levels, these immersive experiences cater to both first-time sleuths and seasoned investigators. Each mystery can be tackled solo, enjoyed with a partner, or solved collaboratively as a team of detectives, making them perfect for quiet nights in or lively game nights with friends.

The series’ most successful title, Murder of a Millionaire, became a viral sensation on TikTok, driving huge brand awareness and sales. Since its launch in 2021, Cryptic Killers has released cases set everywhere from 1920s manors and mountain peaks to casinos and a step back in time to 1980s Miami. The brand is on track to hit 1m copies sold worldwide by the end of 2025.

Looking ahead, the upcoming launches will include themes designed to excite sports fans and history enthusiasts, with more case files already planned for 2026 and beyond. One highly anticipated release will take players back to a medieval world of castles, jousting tournaments and deadly intrigue. The case files offer a flexible playstyle that makes them ideal for gifting and for gathering friends and family during the holiday season. Whether it’s a Boxing Day get-together or a New Year’s Eve activity, they offer an immersive alternative to traditional party games, sparking conversation, competition and plenty of “aha!” moments as players work together to catch the killer.

To support retail partners, Cryptic Killers will introduce in-store merchandising solutions, including FSDUs and CDUs in Q4. Significant UK stock levels are available now across the current range to meet demand.

For sales enquiries, reach out to Andy Hobbs via the contact details above.

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Games & Puzzles

Gibsons

020 8661 8866 | www.gibsonsgames.co.uk | sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk

As recipients of the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainability, Gibsons continues its mission to bring people together through quality games and puzzles, guided by its sense of environmental responsibility. The company is highlighting three launches for 2025: the imaginative new party game Abstractable, a premium Classic Games Collection with The Art File and the much-anticipated return of its bestselling Puzzle Advent Calendar.

Launched in August 2025, Abstractable is Gibsons’ latest party game, designed for 1–6 players aged 6+. Players interpret prompts (muse cards) to create masterpieces using colourful magnetic shapes on a canvas and easel. Abstractable can be played in four gameplay modes: in Live Art mode, players split into two teams and race to guess their teammate’s subject before the other team; in Art Critic mode, one player will judge who in the group has responded to their art prompt the best.

The gameplay lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes over 200 magnetic shapes, 200 muse cards, six canvases, six easels, six scorecards, 50 score tokens, one storage bag and an instruction booklet. The box reflects the creative chaotic nature of Abstractable. The game is available to order now, with high-quality eCommerce imagery, sell sheets and lifestyle content available upon request.

The Art File x Gibsons range, which launched in mid-August, combines beloved heritage games with The Art File’s signature design-led aesthetic. With foil-detailed packaging and intricate illustrations, the collection includes Backgammon, Chess, Dominoes, Sudoku, Shut the Box and Bingo. Each is designed to be a statement gift or treasured family staple. The minimum age and number of players vary across the range, and each set features sturdy wooden components, high-quality boards made from recycled materials and beautifully printed instructions. The collection is available to order now, and high-quality, eCommerce and lifestyle imagery is available upon request.

Returning for Christmas 2025, Gibsons’ Puzzle Advent Calendar is a cherished staple that combines the seasonal magic of a daily December surprise with the relaxation of puzzling. Users can open the beautiful bookshaped facade of The Tales of Christmas to reveal a calendar of 24 mini puzzles (42-60 pieces), all illustrated by the talented artists of The Art File. The Gibsons Advent Calendar invites moments of calm and creativity each day of December, with each puzzle made to Gibsons’ high standard, using 100% recycled cardboard. Available to order from this month, the calendar is expected to sell out quickly, as previous years have shown high repeat-purchase rates across age groups.

This is just a glimpse of a few of the new additions to Gibsons’ 2025 line-up. Each new release reflects the company’s commitment as a proud B Corp to create joy through quality, sustainable products.

One for Fun

www.oneforfun.com | sales@oneforfun.com

One for Fun is constantly adding line extensions to the highly popular Muddle Puzzle range. The Metallic Muddle Puzzle Triple Pack is perfect for puzzle lovers who enjoy a challenge and makes a great gift item. The set includes three metallic pieces, each with its own unique design and difficulty level. The first puzzle is a 3x3 cube, which requires careful planning and strategy to solve. The second puzzle is a star infinity puzzle, which is more complex and requires a bit more patience to complete. Finally, the third puzzle is a hexagon puzzle, which is perhaps the most challenging of them all. The Metallic Muddle Puzzle is also offered as a single item, the classic 3x3 cube with metallic colours on each side. For on-the-go play, users can opt for the Metallic Muddle Puzzle keyring.

Another addition to the portfolio is the Muddle Puzzle Space Polygon. These infinite puzzles can be opened, turned and twisted to various shapes, showing off different space scenes as users move around the puzzle. The Muddle Puzzle Star starts as a star shape and features different colour patterns on each side, and is made mostly from paper and card. Users can also try the Double Muddle Puzzle or a travel-friendly mini muddle puzzle when they are out and about.

Fidget toys to complement One for Fun’s existing Muddle Puzzle range include an updated version of the classic puzzle fiddle square. This puzzle features nine squares with different colours and designs to be shuffled and sorted quickly so they all show the same matching colours on each side. The range has been re-imagined to offer a new challenge, but still with that addictive play value, and is available in Rainbow and solid bright colours, along with mini and double versions.

The award-winning frantic wind-up, beat-the-clock game, Time Shock, continues to be a bestseller. All the shaped plastic pieces must be inserted into the correct slots before the timer expires and throws them into the air. A tray on the side houses the pieces and scoring pegs, making it an ideal travel game. The Time Pop Light up Pushpopper game offers five different gameplays, as players try and beat their best time.

One For Fun also offers other classic games including Marbles, snakes and ladders, chess, draughts, dominoes and everything else in between.

Games & Puzzles

Disney Lorcana

01869 363 830 | www.ravensburger.com

Disney Lorcana celebrated the brand’s second anniversary in August. After releasing eight sets and more than 1800 unique cards and dazzling fans with the first World Championship in June, the next chapter of Disney Lorcana TCG begins with the newest Set 9: Fabled, releasing everywhere on 5th September. Ravensburger has also announced new cards, including Powerline - World’s Greatest Rock Star, new Disney Lorcana jigsaw puzzles, and upcoming Disney Lorcana TCG Set 10: Whispers in the Well, arriving pre-Christmas, and Set 11: Winterspell coming in Q1 2026. Disney Lorcana TCG Set 9: Fabled contains over 200 cards, including beloved glimmers from Disney’s A Goofy Movie and more.

The ultimate treasure for both collectors and players, the Set 9: Fabled Illumineer’s Trove contains a full-art storage box with six card dividers. For collectors and players alike, Booster Boxes and Booster Packs offer the thrill of opening to reveal new characters and rarities being introduced for the first time in Set 9.

The new Collection Starter Set launches into the UK on 3rd October and is ideal for Disney fans to begin their magical collecting journey. Inside, they’ll find four Fabled booster packs with 48 spectacularly illustrated cards and can also keep up to 80 cards safe with the special Mickey Mouse – Brave Little Tailor portfolio. For a little extra sparkle, the Tinker Bell – Giant Fairy promo card features a stunning glimmer foil treatment.

Disney Lorcana TCG is about to enter a mysterious phase. Set 10: Whispers in the Well invites Illumineers to solve the mystery of the ethereal whispers uncovered in Lorcana. With pre-release events in game stores and Disney store locations for Whispers in the Well starting on 7th November, packs will be available everywhere from 14th November.

With Set 9: Fabled, Ravensburger has introduced Set Rotation for the first time in Disney Lorcana TCG with the aim to ultimately onboard new players and keep the gameplay fresh for the existing Disney Lorcana Community. The launch of the Disney Lorcana Collection Starter Set in October opens the door to targeting Disney fans and families to showcase the stunning Disney Lorcana artwork and focus on the magic of collecting their favourite characters. Ravensburger will be working closely with partner hobby stores across the UK and Ireland to bring more competitive player events to a wider audience as it moves into 2026 and beyond.

Cheatwell

023 9252 4098 | www.cheatwell.com | sales@cheatwell.com

Cheatwell has announced the launch of three brand-new titles for autumn/ winter 2025, each offering a unique and engaging tabletop experience for players of all ages and interests. With Feed The Kraken, Guildlands and Wrexham-Opoly, the company continues its mission to bring creativity, humour and inclusive fun to game nights across the UK and beyond.

Feed The Kraken is a semi-cooperative hidden role game that invites players aboard a ship sailing into dangerous waters—literally and figuratively. Set in a mysterious nautical world, players are secretly aligned with one of three factions: loyal Sailors, devious Pirates, or as an enigmatic Cultist. As the crew attempts to navigate toward their faction’s destination, suspicions mount, allegiances shift and the looming threat of the Kraken keeps everyone guessing. Combining social deduction, bluffing and a richly immersive theme, Feed The Kraken is designed for 5–11 players and delivers a thrilling, tense and theatrical experience each time it hits the table.

Fantasy fans will enjoy Guildlands, a strategic tile-based adventure game. Set in the war-torn realm of Thornshire in the fantasy world of Dragoria, players become leaders of rival guilds vying for power and prestige. As each Guild has a unique ability, the game requires planning skills and tactical decision-making, all set within a richly illustrated fantasy world. Designed for 2–6 players, Guildlands offers quick-to-learn gameplay with plenty of depth, making it ideal for both casual gamers and seasoned strategists. With a balance of competitiveness and lighthearted play, it’s a perfect addition to any game collection.

The third new title offers something entirely different: a celebration of a realworld town with the launch of Wrexham-Opoly, a property trading game based on the vibrant Welsh town of Wrexham. Developed with local landmarks, institutions and humour in mind, Wrexham-Opoly puts a regional twist on a classic format. From The Home of the Red Dragons to the Butchers Market, players will buy, trade and build their way to success across iconic Wrexham locations. It’s an ideal gift for locals, football fans, or anyone with a connection to the town that’s made headlines around the world in recent years.

Games & Puzzles

01420 593 593 | www.asmodee.co.uk

Asmodee and The Lego Group have reunited to launch Brick Like This! - a fast-paced, laughout-loud party game where chaos, creativity and communication collide.

Brick Like This! is all about teamwork under pressure. One teammate describes a Lego model, the other races to build it, but there’s a twist: only one person can see the model. No pointing and no peeking, just fast-talking, frantic building and hilarious miscommunication. Just when players think they’ve nailed it, challenge cards flip the script and suddenly they’re building blindfolded, one-handed, or under a wild new rule that keeps the game fresh and unpredictable.

Brick Like This! is quick to learn and perfect for game nights, parties or office socials. While it will appeal to Lego fans, the game is also suitable for gamers and casual players aged 7+. Brick Like This! requires 2-8 Players and has a 15-minute playing time.

Asmodee is also introducing a new addition to the Dobble family with Dobble Bluey. This brand-new version of the beloved matching game features characters and icons from the hit animated pre-school series. With a focus on fun, family play, Dobble Bluey brings the Heeler family to the table for a quick-thinking, eagle-eyed race to match symbols across cards. Whether players are spotting Chilli, Bandit, or Muffin in a tutu, there's never a dull moment with Bluey and friends in the mix.

Simple, fast and fun, Dobble is the ultimate game of observation and speed for everyone and , perfect for players aged 4+, Dobble Bluey is packed with the same five game modes fans already love, but now wrapped in the heartwarming humour, imagination and playfulness of Bluey. It’s billed as the ultimate travel-size game for half-term holidays, rainy afternoons, or bedtime wind-downs.

Just Play UK

www.justplayproducts.com

uksales@justplayproducts.com

Just Play has expanded into the games category, with new formats of classic game brands, activity games and more.

In partnership with Hasbro, Just Play is reimagining classic favourites with new, active twists. The Simon Jump Game Mat transforms the iconic 80s Simon memory game into an active play format, where players jump and dance to match light and sound patterns on the interactive floor mat. Instead of pressing the red, green, yellow and blue buttons, players dance out the patterns on a responsive mat on the floor. To play, players memorise the sequence of coloured light patterns and sounds displayed on the game console, then repeat with their feet on the mat. To compete, players can add multiple Simon Jump Game Mats (each sold separately) to host tournaments with friends and family.

Slinky turns 80 this year, and to celebrate, Just Play is launching a super-fun game that brings Slinky to life in a hilarious format that’s never been seen before. In this energetic, family-friendly game, teams of two must race to get their disc across the Slinky first. All players wear a belt so each pair can be linked together with a giant Slinky. On this Slinky is a disc that players must move from one end to the other by jumping and wriggling their hips to move the disc down the Slinky. The first team to get their disc from one member of the team to the next wins.

Meanwhile, Skip It, the beloved outdoor toy from the 90s, has been updated with lights, sounds and a digital counter that tracks and records up to a million skips.

Games & Puzzles

Zatu Distribution

01603 937 846 | rory.kelly@zatu.co.uk

Zatu Distribution is new to the board game distribution market and is bringing 200 brand new titles to retailers with its launch. The company features games designed for everyone, from young children and families to dedicated hobby gamers.

A truly unique title, A Gentle Rain is a world first. This light and accessible tile-placement puzzle is designed for mindful play. Suitable for solo or small group sessions, it encourages players to engage with its tactile pieces, embrace the gentle rhythm of the game, and unwind throughout its 15-minute playtime. It’s aimed at all age groups, and the feedback has echoed that it’s being enjoyed by them all, with players already highlighting how it’s become a regular part of their wind-down routines after school, university or work.

For something more high-octane, there’s Racing Line, a fast-paced game designed to capture the emotion and energy of Formula 1 on the tabletop. With a ruleset that keeps it accessible to all, it blends strategic decision-making with dice-chucking fun. Played with 3-8 players, the goal is to cross the finish line first, aided or hindered by Incident Cards that can shake up the race. Expansion packs introduce new tracks, whilst Racing Line Junior offers a streamlined experience ideal for players as young as four.

Offshoots is another crowd-pleaser, especially for groups. It challenges 1-12 players to build an ever-growing tree by placing branches onto a shared trunk. As the tree flourishes, it also becomes more unstable, until it finally collapses. With stunning table presence and intuitive rules, it’s a showpiece game that invites repeated play and laughter.

Zatu Distribution has also rapidly established itself as the home of standout licensed titles. One highlight is The Smurfs: Hidden Village, where players take on the roles of classic Smurfs, rebuilding their iconic mushroom village after one of Gargamel’s evil schemes. Working together as a team, players collect resources, build inventions and locate missing Smurfs to aid in the rebuild. Each character has their own unique skill set, which must be used strategically to outsmart Gargamel and his cat Azrael. For 1–5 players aged 8+, with a 30-minute playtime, it’s an ideal co-operative family game with nostalgic appeal and modern design.

Stepping into the video game world, Zatu Distribution brings Elden Ring to the tabletop. Two entry-level boxes, Stormveil Castle and The Weeping Peninsula, offer accessible starting points into this vast and atmospheric cooperative campaign game, designed for 1–4 players aged 14.

For the core hobby market, Kelp: Shark vs Octopus has been making waves. A beautifully illustrated 1v1 showdown, it features asymmetrical gameplay where one player controls a shark hunting its prey, while the other plays a nimble octopus trying to outsmart its pursuer.

For retailers looking to secure these titles and many more, contact Rory, head of Distribution, via the details above.

Winning Moves

020 7298 9515 | www.winningmoves.co.uk | sales@winningmoves.co.uk

With the World Cup now firmly in sight, Winning Moves is rolling out a bold new look across its World Football Stars portfolio. Some of the key lines from the range are moving to a vibrant, tournamentinspired style guide, featuring striking red, green and blue packaging that reflects the energy, diversity and unity of the beautiful game.

The refreshed line-up includes a stellar squad of fan favourites, such as World Football Stars Puzzles, Top Trumps Match, WHOT, Waddington’s No.1 Playing Cards, Top Trumps Battle Mat and Top Trumps Goddit. Each product delivers football fun with a collectible twist, making them perfect for gifting, family play, or fuelling friendly rivalries during the tournament season.

A real showstopper in the already existing World Football Stars line-up is Monopoly, bringing global football legends to the iconic property trading game. Fans can build their dream team as they wheel, deal and negotiate their way to victory. World Football Stars Top Trumps Quiz is also a best-seller, offering over 500 questions to test football knowledge, from World Cup trivia to iconic players and record-breaking moments.

Perhaps the most innovative recent addition to the range is World Football Stars Guess Who, which now features a unique Top Trumps gameplay twist. Players won’t just be guessing who, they’ll be comparing Top Trumps stats on each player, adding a strategic edge that brings a whole new dimension to this beloved classic. Winning Moves’ Top Trumps Top 200 football-themed range has been a standout hit, and the company has announced that new updates are on the way to the Top 200 range for 2026.

Winning Moves UK has smartly capitalised on the extended Halloween selling season by significantly expanding its scare-themed portfolio, building on last year’s successful launch of Beetlejuice Monopoly. This year’s collection sees the introduction of a broader range of titles across several iconic franchises. The Nightmare Before Christmas now features prominently with three new products: The Nightmare Before Christmas Monopoly, The Nightmare Before Christmas Cluedo and The Nightmare Before Christmas Top Trumps. Another key franchise, Stranger Things is represented by Stranger Things Cluedo and Risk, Top Trumps Quiz, Top Trumps Tin and Top Trumps Limited Editions; and Wednesday joins the line-up with Wednesday Cluedo and Wednesday Top Trumps.

The licences in this collection are exceptionally potent cultural brands. Stranger Things ranks among Netflix’s mostwatched series in the UK and has a massive, ongoing fan community, while The Nightmare Before Christmas remains a seasonal classic. Wednesday, launched in August 2024, drove major Halloween content interest, particularly in July–August 2025, thanks to social media buzz. With consumers browsing Halloween products earlier and for longer, Winning Moves UK’s expanded portfolio arrives at an optimal moment. The title selection ensures broad shelf appeal—from impulse buys like classic Top Trumps to premium-priced strategy staples.

Games & Puzzles Skillmatics

01244 940 200 | 07764 369 245 skillmaticsworld.co.uk

david.kelly@skillmaticsworld.com

Skillmatics is expanding its best-selling portfolio of games and puzzles this autumn, introducing new launches that spark curiosity, build key skills and bring families together through joyful, screen-free play. From proven favourites to brand-new formats for younger children, the brand continues to combine creative gameplay with wide appeal, designed for mess-free fun and meaningful skillbuilding.

Following a successful first half of the year, Skillmatics is increasing its UK footprint through strong retail partnerships, growing both online and offline sales, and an active programme of in-store demo days. The brand's PR activity has reached over 262m consumers in 2025 through national and consumer media coverage. Meanwhile, family influencer campaigns have driven earned social reach past 2m in the UK, generating strong engagement and organic visibility through authentic content that brings the fun and creativity of the Skillmatics range to life.

The ultimate card game for family fun, Who Knows You Best? is packed with funny, personal questions that spark conversation, connection and plenty of laughter. Gaining strong momentum in the UK for its unique mix of humour, heart and broad age appeal, players take turns answering quirky prompts like "What's my go-to karaoke song?" or "What's my biggest fear?" Correct guesses earn points, and bragging rights go to the most insightful players. With 200 family-friendly question cards, 12 dry-erase answer boards and markers, plus a wipeclean scoreboard, everything needed for a fun-filled evening is included in the box.

Launching this September, Found It! Indoors - Mini brings the award-winning scavenger hunt to a travel-friendly format for ages 4-7. With 50 illustrated clue cards in a compact, messfree case, children race to find objects around the house that match the clues, building observation and early thinking skills in the process. Requiring no adult supervision, it's ideal for rainy days, playdates, or just keeping little ones constructively entertained with screen-free, hands-on play.

Tangram Twist offers a fresh spin on STEAM-inspired puzzle play, blending the cognitive challenge of tangrams with the creativity of stickers for ages 4-7. The unique activity helps children build over 20 colourful vehicles or animals by matching and rotating geometric foam stickers onto themed picture boards. It's a hands-on puzzle activity that develops spatial reasoning and fine motor skills, all in a no-mess format that's perfect for independent play. Two SKUs are available: Off We Go and Amazing Animals.

For families seeking something fast-paced and high-energy, Rapid Rumble ticks all the boxes. Players compete to match letter cards with category clues - from animals to science and pop culture - in a race against the timer. With 220 category and letter cards, a die and easy-to-follow instructions, the game delivers high replay value and fun for all ages 6+. It's the perfect go-to gift choice for birthdays and group gatherings.

To learn more about Skillmatics, contact David Kelly, VP of Sales and Marketing UK, on the details above.

VR Distribution

0330 088 0941 | www.vrdist.co.uk

VR Distribution, part of the Asmodee group and responsible for supplying some of the biggest party games to UK retailers, has some significant new launches happening.

Lucky Egg, the maker of the huge hit game Grab the Mic, has new launches with Karaoke Duets and Misheard Music, a guess-the-word card game. With 350 song titles and 150 artist names which have been hilariously misheard, players must decipher the real ones. This game is a fast-paced and fun board game that puts players’ knowledge to the ultimate test. Misheard Music recently launched and has already gone viral, with sales building significantly.

New from the makers of Beat That is Snatching Pears, a memory-matching, adrenaline-fuelled card game of speed, stealth and quick reactions. With relentless social media campaigns planned, VR Distribution is expecting strong sales for this game, and as it’s suitable for ages 7 and up, it's ideal for the whole family to play.

Polaroid is another new a game which turns storytelling and memory into a wildly entertaining photo challenge. Players take turns placing photo cards from their hands onto the central ‘Connections’ pile, describing how their image links to the one before it. From opera-singing lions to candy-loving kids, the stories quickly take unexpected, hilarious turns. Also ideal for gifting is the new Jigsaw Puzzle range from Mr Broccoli, which offers 1000-piece puzzles with great images, all at attractive prices. The range includes a fantastic Christmas Puzzle.

VR has added Shashibo to its portfolio; the award-winning and STEM-accredited Shape Shifting Puzzle Box from hit US brand, Fun in Motion Toys. The patented, award-winning Shashibo sensory box features 36 rare earth magnets for an innovative design that transforms into over 70 shapes. It fits comfortably in the hand for hours of mind-challenging fun, stimulating the senses with unlimited creative possibilities. Players can connect multiple magnetic cubes to build even larger structures and sculptures for the ultimate satisfying magnetic sensory toy and brain teaser. Shashibo sensory magnet cubes are for ages 8+, and as well as being a great sensory stimulation puzzle, make an ideal STEAM & STEM toy gift for all ages. With every satisfying click, the shape-shifting puzzle box’s calming, therapeutic effect soothes away stress and nerves.

VR Distribution is offering a CDU pre-packed with four different Shashibo cubes. The CDU features a fantastic lenticular backboard to show consumers exactly what this cube can do.

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Games & Puzzles

Trends UK

01295 768 078 | www.trendsuk.co.uk | info@trendsuk.co.uk

Trends UK has something for all puzzlers, parties and families alike with its next-generation brainteaser puzzles from Slida and the brilliant new suspense game, Drench.

In the suspense-filled game Drench, a soda can is filled with water. The game begins with the roll of the dice, which determines the number of shakes and whether the player keeps, skips or picks another to take their turn. The can is then shaken, and the tab is pulled. It could go off at any time, and the last player to stay dry wins.

Slida Sphere is a sequential interlocking 3D puzzle that requires players to slide and interlock the pieces in the correct sequence. This affordable, palm-sized puzzle is great for on-the-go puzzling.

Cartamundi

01268 511 522 | www.cartamundi.com scott.garnerbundy-higgs@cartamundi.com

As Cartamundi marks a celebratory 140 years, it reflects on the enduring legacy of its Bicycle playing cards. Cartamundi doesn’t consider its products as mere games, but rather as gateways to connection. Across generations and cultures, these cards have brought people together, creating moments of laughter, learning and love.

In today’s world, where meaningful interaction is more important than ever, playing cards offer a simple yet powerful way for families of all ages to unplug and reconnect. Whether it’s a lively games night or a quiet afternoon with loved ones, Bicycle cards continue to inspire togetherness and have found their way into homes across the world. They’ve been shuffled by grandparents teaching their favourite game, dealt by parents introducing traditions and held by children discovering the thrill of play. In every moment, they’ve helped foster something timeless: human connection.

Cartamundi believes this timeless lifestyle deserves to be shared even more widely and is looking for partners who feel the same. For those interested in exploring opportunities to bring Bicycle to new audiences, connect with Business Development manager, Scott Garnerbundy-Higgs, via the details above to start the conversation.

Character Options

01616 339 800 | www.character-online.com sales@charactergroup.plc.uk

Following the signing of an exclusive distribution deal with US-based company Relatable, Character’s portfolio now includes the world-famous pop culture and social media inspired viral party game, What Do You Meme? The hit game now comes with pictures that literally move, as participants play with either hundreds of GIFs or with classic image cards. With hundreds of hilarious new cards, plus all the classic favourites, this game has been created to take any game night to an entirely new level of fun.

The best-selling original game has also had a refresh, making it even bigger and funnier than ever. What Do You Meme? Family Edition comes with over 100 photocards to play in reverse. Participants must pair the funniest caption card with an image or pair the funniest image with a caption.

Character’s Relatable games offering includes other established adult party game titles such as Incohearent, in which players compete to guess the gibberish. There are three entertaining categories of play: Spicy, Pop Culture and Party. Players read the gibberish phrase out loud, then try to figure out what the actual phrase is (given on the back of the card). The aim is to “translate” as many cards as possible before the time runs out.

Unfiltered fun comes in the form of New Phone, Who Dis? In this 100% offline text message party game, players compete to create the funniest text message thread as they match the best LOL-worthy Reply Card to the Inbox Card in play. The funniest combo wins.

Silly Poopy’s Hide & Seek game is ideal for kids. Silly Poopy is a singing, talking light-up toy which makes any hide-and-seek game hilariously entertaining. The fun begins when one player hides Silly Poopy and presses the Start Hiding button. Once Silly Poopy is hidden, the other players start looking, while Silly Poopy drops hints and sounds. When Silly Poopy is found, he sings a triumphant song and puts on an incredible light show.

Character Options’ Glow Ball is an energetic new 4-in-1 action game that puts speed, reflexes and agility to the test. This fast-paced game combines dazzling lights and sounds and can be played by friends and family alike. Each Glow Ball comes with three electronic wristbands – one per player – that can be paired with the ball. Each wristband lights-up in one of three colours. When players tap their wristband against the ball, it will recognise them. Over the course of four high energy games, Glow Ball lights up in a colour that indicates whose turn is next in the game, providing a glowing spectacle.

Games & Puzzles

Clementoni

020 3206 1397 | www.clementoni.com clemuk@clementoni.com | paul.fogarty@clementoni.com

Clementoni is pleased to present the Metamorphic Art Collection –Stranger Things, a revolutionary product which elevates puzzle play to a whole new aesthetic and sensorial level.

A fusion of art, design, innovation and enthusiasm for a compelling story, the Metamorphic Art Collection – Stranger Things set includes a 520-piece jigsaw puzzle, a frame to be assembled and a multicoloured adhesive LED-light strip. Thanks to a special heptachrome print and RGB Art technology, the completed jigsaw puzzle turns into a picture showing three different images per subject depending on the light projected by the red, blue and green LEDs. Icons from the Stranger Things universe, such as the Demogorgon, the Upside Down and the menacing presence of Vecna, come to life in the dark, offering a real wow-factor.

With images that metamorphose, lights that reveal unseen details and a visual identity designed to astonish and amaze, this innovative collection has been developed by an in-house team of avid fans of the hit Netflix series, which returns for its fifth and final season in November. The project provides an immersive experience developed for all fans, with a particular lean towards the kidult audience.

The Metamorphic Art Collection is just the first of a broader range of products inspired by Stranger Things and designed to delight fans and non-fans alike with an unforgettable and highly engaging experience. Also available is

Friends Don’t Lie, a cooperative board game that covers the previous four seasons of the Stranger Things franchise. Players choose from 13 iconic characters to form a team and tackle missions in the Upside Down, experiencing the mysterious and grim atmosphere of the television saga. There’s also a Premium Puzzle collection of 1,000-piece puzzles featuring images of the iconic posters from the series.

Clementoni's journey into the world of Stranger Things began in 2019 as one of the very first Italian brands to collaborate with Netflix, kickstarting its product offering for the kidult market. Since then, the company’s catalogue has been enriched with games and jigsaw puzzles inspired by numerous cult series, cartoons, anime and cinematic masterpieces, redefining the concept of a modern jigsaw puzzle and engaging an increasingly wide audience that encompasses children as well as grown-ups.

Jumbo Galt

Hitster Guilty Pleasures, the latest launch in the award-winning Hitster range, is set to be one of the hottest party games of the 2025 festive season and one which players aged 16+ are expected to want on their tables this Christmas. Following the runaway success of Hitster Original, this new spin-off taps into an irresistible cultural sweet spot: pure, unfiltered nostalgia. It’s packed with over 300 iconic guilty-pleasure tracks, from 90s boy bands to 00s divas and invites players to test their music knowledge in a simple but brilliantly addictive format.

Accessible, social and outrageously fun, this is the kind of game that drives footfall and delivers repeat sales, as people won’t just want to play it once, and will want to bring it to every party they attend. A full-scale digital campaign will run across TikTok and Meta, leveraging user-generated content, nostalgialed trends and music-based challenges designed to go viral.

Hitster Guilty Pleasures will also be supported by a handpicked mix of high-energy personalities and creators who know how to work a crowd - both online and onstage. From celebrity ambassadors with ties to the music industry to TikTok stars known for their creative, comedy-driven content, this campaign is designed to spark shareable, high-impact moments across all platforms. Users should expect to see familiar faces bringing the nostalgia, and fresh talent driving buzz in the lead-up to peak season.

Hitster Guilty Pleasures is backed by a heavyweight PR campaign targeting national press, lifestyle media and top-tier gift guides. Consumers should expect high visibility from September onwards. A pop-up shop experience is also launching in a high-footfall urban location to drive early brand excitement and earn valuable earned media moments.

With mass appeal, strong branding and an unmissable marketing plan behind it, Hitster Guilty Pleasures is set to be a breakout hit this holiday season, whether customers are music buffs, party hosts, or simply looking for a game everyone can enjoy.

Make your shelves sparkle this season seasonal scenes & timeless quality order now via gibsonsgamestrade.co.uk, Faire, or your dedicated Gibsons sales representative gibsonsgames.co.uk | email: sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk phone: 02086618866

Games & Puzzles

Big Potato

020 3620 9495

www.bigpotato.co.uk

trade@bigpotato.co.uk

Big Potato highlights three of its popular games that are perfect for Christmas gifting, Secret Santas or post-turkey family game nights. Each one is easy to learn, quick to play and packed with fun.

The party game, Herd Mentality, is all about thinking like the herd. Players answer simple questions, like “what’s the best sandwich filling?”, but instead of trying to be right, they’ve got to match the crowd. If a player’s answer is the odd one out, they’ll end up with the dreaded pink cow and risk losing the game. Silly, hilarious and endlessly replayable, Herd Mentality is perfect for big groups and family gatherings.

That’s Totally You is a game in which thinking the same is every team’s mission; players are trying to silently agree with their partner by both pressing the buttons on their swivel hands so the fingers swing round and point at the same person. When players come up against questions such as: “Who’s more golden retriever?” and “Who’s more likely to join a cult for the free food?”, it’s hard to know who to throw under the bus. But as long as both players agree, the team is through to the next round. However, players who disagree within the same team will be out. The last team standing wins.

Whirly Derby is the all-action marble racing game where even the slowest gets an underdog bonus. As the proud owner of a team of racing marbles, a player’s mission is to get their marbles onto the podium to earn championship points. To be crowned Whirly Derby Champion of the Whirlyverse, players need tactics, luck and possibly some skulduggery, as they try to pick the right number of marbles to enter into each race and plot their route to glory. Once players have mastered the standard rules, they unlock the advanced racing rules sealed inside the envelope. Inside, they’ll find instructions on how to play using card collecting bonuses and the unstoppaball thunderball which can rocket players up the leaderboard if they’re stuck in last place.

Hasbro

020 8569 1234 | www.hasbro.co.uk

Monopoly has continued to make a lasting global impact among families and fans, evolving far beyond the classic tabletop game. Today, it reaches audiences through immersive experiences, fashion, digital games, home goods and more. With the introduction of new Expansion Packs and a refreshed board game design, the brand's 90th anniversary year ushers in a new chapter for the iconic brand.

Earlier this year, Hasbro launched the Monopoly App Banking Game—the first app-assisted version of Monopoly that brings a modern twist to classic gameplay. Designed with families in mind, this fast-paced edition replaces physical money with a digital banking experience through the free Monopoly App Banking app. Players simply download the app, place their smart device in the included stand and select a Bank card and matching token. The app handles banking, auctions, rent collection and even introduces mini games for added fun. With no cash and simplified mechanics, this game is perfect for everyday fun or family game night.

Beyond Monopoly, Hasbro’s classic titles such as Connect 4, Operation and Cluedo have long been staples of family entertainment, offering timeless gameplay that bridges generations. These games continue to evolve while staying true to their core appeal. A standout in this wave of innovation is Connect 4 Frenzy, a thrilling twist on the original. In this fast-paced version, players bounce discs off the table to score four in a row on a horizontal grid. It’s unpredictable, competitive and fun, with modes that ramp up the challenge or slow things down for casual play. With quick 10-minute rounds and all-in-one storage, it’s the ideal travel game or party game for ages eight and up.

Hasbro has also been expanding its strategy games portfolio. A major highlight is HeroQuest: The Crypt of Perpetual Darkness Quest Pack, created by Joe Manganiello. This premium expansion includes 10 new quests, one metallic black dragon miniature, foil-embellished cards, dice and more. Originally available only to HeroQuest crowdfunders, it challenges players to navigate a dark underground world in search of a powerful artefact. (HeroQuest Game System required, sold separately.)

The new Cosmolancer game reimagines Reiner Knizia’s Kingdoms in a galactic setting. Players compete to earn Interstellar Credits by strategically placing tiles and imaging devices across a cosmos filled with Imposing Squids and Galactic Hounds. With art by Hugo Cuellar and Charlie Layton, this game blends strategy and sci-fi storytelling in a unique, competitive format.

In the Talisman Nemesis: Call of the Hunt Expansion, a new ‘one vs. many’ mechanic adds fresh intensity to the beloved fantasy game. With three mysterious campaigns introducing new enemies and mechanics, this expansion turns the table by pitting one player against the rest in an epic battle of wits and strength.

Rounding out Hasbro’s new offerings is Sanibel, a calming tile placement game from designer Elizabeth Hargrave. Inspired by beachcombing for seashells, players collect and arrange shells in a tranquil, watercolour world that offers a meditative mix of strategy and beauty.