Apples to Apples board game

by Johan Hansen

(USA)

Game:
Apples to Apples
Board game manufacturer:
Out of the Box
Number of players:
4-10

Quick verdict

Apples to Apples is all you may have heard and more. It is simple to learn and can be quickly understood by a large group, involves the art of argument and interpretation, yet is lighthearted and results in continuous laughter.

The game and gameplay

A game recommended for ages 12 to adult, Apples to Apples can be enjoyed by young adult groups or the family together, but is brilliant at the adult dinner party.

Apples to Apples is intended for four to 10 players and accurately describes itself as the “wild, award winning card and party game that provides instant fun.” Materials include Red Apple Cards, Green Apple Cards, Blank Cards, Two Deluxe Card Trays and your rules.

Each red apple card has the name of a person, place or thing on it. And each green apple card has an adjective on it. Before the game begins, each player is dealt seven red apple cards and a “judge” is decided upon. Once all the cards are dealt, the “judge” pulls out a green apple card which will have an adjective on it. Greens state any sort of adjective, ranging from greedy or slimy to beautiful, silly, runny, wild, etc.
Now each player looks at their Red apple cards and decides which one fits the description best. Red cards can have nouns on them ranging from waterfall and anthill to people and pop culture references such as Barbara Streisand, Carrot Top or the Republican Party.

Players, except the judge, quickly choose the red apple card they think best describes the word on the green apple card and place it face down on the table. The judge then mixes them up and then one by one begins placing them face up, reading them as he or she goes. After the laughter has died down (trust me, there is lots of laughter), the judge chooses the red card that in his mind best describes the green card.

As a player, you can try to convince the judge of your card. Once the judge decides, the player whose card has been chosen is declared and he or she gets to keep the green apple card. Every player except the judge is dealt a new red card, so they always have seven in their hand, and the “judge” role rotates to the left.

And so the game continues until a single player accumulates enough green apple cards to win.

There are several expansions and spin-off versions which are pictured below. Click for more details. Alternatively, click here to search for Apples to Apples on Amazon.

Pros and cons

Apples to Apples is a fantastic party game. It makes time fly; you may be shocked and disappointed when a player finally wins – surprised that they were already able to procure enough green apple cards and sad that it’s over.

One of the best things about Apples to Apples is the ability to play continuously even if someone new shows up to the party. As opposed to most group games, it takes nothing to adjust to adding or losing a player as the night goes on.

Also delightful and surprising: despite being a game that breaks out in both spontaneous laughter and bellowing argument, the game is so designed as it moves quickly and is able to stay light.

The biggest and sole con of Apples to Apples is that it is a very high energy and loud game. Make sure roommates or relatives aren’t trying to sleep. (If that’s the case, perhaps you should try sleuth board game Clue instead, which is both clever and quiet!)

The verdict

Apples to Apples board game is a must-have for adults of any age that enjoy games or simply entertaining: it is simple and low maintenance, with high amounts of laughter as the reward!