Game Review on Rain Forest Card Games
by Karen Luciana

Rain Forest Card Games, developed by U.S. Game Systems, Inc., contains a deck of beautifully illustrated cards, decorated with endangered animals of the rainforests. Each package actually contains 4 games, Rainforest Rally, Jungle Rumble, Creature Call, and Rain Forest Roll. Suggested age group is six years and older. My fifth grade students played each of the games with enthusiasm and pleasure. Here are our observations:

The Game

We loved the pictures and the names of all the animals. Children, like anyone, enjoy playing with attractive things, and the detail that went into creating these colorful cards is truly noteworthy. The children admired the names that they found to be peculiar. They liked the variety of having 4 different games that could be played with one deck (Children always appreciate choices). The quick speed of most of the games was seen as an advantage to the limited time that is often available for game playing. "Rain Forest Rally" received plenty of positive comments because all liked the symbols involved in the play of that game. I give the research, development, packaging, and creative input into these games an A.

The Instructions

We had mixed feelings about the ease of following the instructions. This category is a real target for me, because I am a firm believer in including easy-to-comprehend directions. It was pretty evenly divided in that some of us felt the directions were confusing and had to test out play several times before we felt comfortable with the game. Others seemed to believe that the instructions were straightforward enough and easy to follow. I thought it to be a real positive point that the each game’s instructions were printed on a separated pamphlet and included a "Sample Play" scenario. This category, therefore, receives a B.

The Curriculum Connection

The curricular connections are clear, but are somewhat limited to younger grade levels. Use of the cards directly reinforces study about biomes and endangered animals. Grades 2 and sometimes 3 will study the rain forest and animals. As children get older the focus moves to studying people and history, so direct curriculum connections are best met at the lower grades. However, even the older children loved being reminded about these animals and the detailed, beautiful illustrations piqued their curiosity for individual research. Connections to Academics, therefore, earn a B+.

In Conclusion

It is definitely worth writing that the students really enjoyed these games. Some children reported that the games were new. Others felt that they were a repackaged version of some good oldies, such as, "Go Fish." Regardless, Rainforest Card Games earn our signature of approval!