As a child I used to play lots of board games with my brother and mum, classic board games such as Monopoly (this was always my favourite), The Game of Life, Go for Broke, Frustration etc. And I loved to do battle with my brother in games such as Battleship and Connect 4.
Connect 4 (also known as Four in a Row) is a classic game that has been around since 1974 (almost 50 years) and is a strategic game of disc-dropping fun. It’s a game a lot of us know and love. The aim of the game is to use logic and strategy to get four of your coloured discs in row; horizontally, vertically or diagonally. It is a game for two players, age 6+ with a playing time of around 10 minutes. Think of it as a more advanced version of Noughts and Crosses (or Tic-Tac-Toe if you prefer its other name).
In the box:
- Playing Grid
- 21 Red Discs
- 21 Yellow Discs
- Instructions
Connect 4 is played on a vertical grid, a grid of 6 rows and 7 columns. Each player has 21 discs (counters) in either red or yellow. Players take turns dropping one of their discs into the slots at the top of the grid, watching the discs fall to the lowest available space. The aim is to get four of the same colour discs in a row. The game ends when either one player has four in a row, or the board is full and there is no winner.
It is a very simple game to learn and play, but can be challenging when strategic planning, thinking ahead and trying to block your opponent come into play. It isn’t a game of just drop a disc and hope for the best. Not only do you have to think about your own strategy, but you also must try and work out what your opponent is going to do next as well as any future moves. It can be a very exciting and tense game to play, especially when the board is almost full and every move counts.
Overall, Connect 4 is fun to play. It is a very simple game to understand but trying to win can be a lot harder. Each player can see all the moves being made on the grid before them and can try to plan out not only their next move but moves further down the line. This is a game that can get very competitive and very addictive.
It is a timeless game that has been enjoyed by generations of players on family game nights and is still going strong today. I played it as a child and like playing it as much today as I did then (probably more so as I now think more about the moves I am playing). It is a perfect choice for anyone who loves board games and wants to have some fun and a challenge.
Connect 4 is a game with quick game play, one that you can play over and over again without getting bored of it. It is available as the standard tabletop game, travel-sized games and even giant garden versions.
Can you connect four discs in a four before your opponent? Do you take an offensive or defensive stance? Can you connect four?
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £13.99
Available to buy from Amazon here.
DISCLOSURE: All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review uses an affiliate link which I may receive a small commission from if you purchase through the link.
