It took 'em 25 years.....
But it's FINALLY here!!!
A comprehensive review of....
CARD SHARKS: THE BOARD GAME!!!
Well, they say don't judge a book by it's cover. Well, looking at the top-left picture, don't do it with this game either. As you can see, the logo is from the 2001 revival. The 2001 revival failed miserably, due to it's format mostly, and many other things. However, Endless Games should be given a big pat on the back for keeping the CLASSIC format of Card Sharks. I sorta like the logo anyways, as it's very colorful and eye-catching. Also, it's great they paid tribute to the NBC version for including a little poem on the back of the box!
The card backs are nothing to scream about. But Endless was planning to only include ONE deck. Thankfully they changed their minds, and got the colors right! Great job Endless!
Now, let's open up the board and get to the cards!!
Nice design of the main game board. As some other people said, the lack of a "freeze" indicator is missing. But that can be easily made up for, using a household item, or even just memory. The main game rules are the same. Survey questions are included in a book, which also has the rules. The only bad thing about this is you pretty much have to have an MC, as it's a challenge to play with only two players. Games are a best two out of three match, like on the show. The board game has even kept with inflation, as the rules say $500 are awarded for a game win.
Let's get to the Money Cards!
Turn the main game board over, and here's the Money Cards board! Rules are very similar to the CBS version. $200 to start, three cards. Move up the level 2 and $400 is added to the score. The top, as always, the Big Bet, where you must bet half of the money. One minor difference according to the rules, is you can change one card per line, like the CBS show, but it's only the first card off the top of the deck, not the choice of three cards like on the TV show. As I'm sure you're noticing, there are 5 card slots on the first two rows (except the last is colored differently and has MONEY CARDS printed on it). However, only the four are used, meaning the $32,000 maximum prize. One theory is they originally planned to have a one sided game board and so there were 5 on the first two rows.
Play money is included. The typical design from most games. The logo and the amount printed on multi-colored pieces of paper. The bills range from $50, all the way up to $5,000! The inclusion of play money really, IMO, increases the experience of the board game for being more like the TV show.
Well, it's time for me to give this box game a final grade. First off, I think it's great Endless made a board game about a show that has never had one, and even better, it's my all-time favorite! Endless got a lot flack for using the new logo. But I really like it, even though the show itself was crappy. At least they kept the old format, which is the most important thing. The Money Cards board does look a bit odd though, with the extra card slot included, but not used. This could be really confusing to the average person (one who doesn't have about 500 eps. of all the version, lol). Also, I think the survey questions could've been done better, in a way where it's not a necessity to have a MC. However, the game is pretty well done, my final grade is...
A-
Little points are taken off for the survey question book and the odd Money Cards board. The game itself is really good and true to the TV show however. IMO, the best board game Endless has made. Go to EndlessGames.com for more information about their other games, which include Password, Concentration, The $25,000 Pyramid, and Family Feud.
I say buy it! If you enjoy Card Sharks on TV, or game show in general, it's a keeper!
Disclaimer: Pictures and materials from this game are properties of Endless Games and/or FremantleMedia. Card Sharks is a registered trademark of FremantleMedia. This webpage is not associated with either of these two companies.