Manufacturer: Coin Hopping Games LLC Recommended Age: 8+ Retail Price: $29.95 On the Web: www.coinhoppinggames.com Buy It Here:

Coin Hopping Washington DC is a family board game played on a map of Washington DC. Players take a tour of the city, visiting famous landmarks, monuments, art galleries and museums while competing to place their citizens in power. Using regular US coins (not included), players race across the city to become President, appoint Supreme Court Justices and even have the opportunity to vote to change the rules of the game. The game illustrates the balance of power between the executive, judiciary and legislative branches of the United States government.

To win the game of Coin Hopping Washington DC a player must simultaneously have the following:

• A citizen in the White House
• One or more citizens in the Capitol
• One or more citizens on the Supreme Court
• A stack of four coins – a penny, nickel, dime and quarter

The game is recommended for two to six players, ages eight and up and will take approximately an hour to complete. Included in the game box are the following:

• The game board (a map of Washington DC)
• Six pawns and a draw string bag to hold them
• Six sets of citizens (sets are differentiated by color)
• 50 Destination Cards – containing pictures of Washington DC locations
• Five bills to become laws (if enacted by Congress within the game)
• Rules

Let’s put it right out there – it’s a bit hard to get going! Our reviewers had to read and re-read the instructions as they are fairly complicated and a little confusing; however, once they got moving, things started to fall into place – pawns were moving, coins were hopping and citizens were taking control.

Coin Hopping is similar to any standard board game – with a few extra pieces. The gameboard appears to be durable – very large, but folds nicely back into the box. Destination Cards and Bills are comparable to any other board game, and the citizen chips are made of a heavy cardboard – they have their own spot in the box, and, as long as they’re put away appropriately you shouldn’t have a problem finding them. Also included is a draw string bag that holds the pawns – a well-made, unique addition to the game (used to draw pawns from to initiate the game starter). Keep in mind – the game’s namesake – “Coin”. Coins are not included, so it’s up to you to have them ready to go for each game – keep them in the box or find new ones each time – either way, it doesn’t really matter!

Coin Hopping rates very well in this category. Our team reviews quite a few games, and in most cases visual appeal is of obvious importance to the manufacturers – and Coin Hopping Washington DC is no different. The Washington DC map that makes up the gameboard is spectacular – it really brings the city alive. Additionally, the Destination Cards each have pictures of the locale which they are sending the player – even many with beautiful cherry blossoms in the shot! The citizen chips are small but detailed – and at some points even had our players talking about the citizen the character depicted might represent.

Coin Hopping Washington DC is a game that can function in multiple capacities. As a family, it can certainly help you better understand how Washington DC works and give a great overview of DC and its attractions; however, it does take a lot of startup to understand how to play – so your kids may tire quickly. There are also additional rules for an Advanced Game to provide a twist on the original version. Our reviewers felt Coin Hopping Washington DC would definitely be a great addition to an American Government classroom.

Our review team’s cost estimation was $19.99 for the game – so the actual price tag presented ($29.99) a bit of sticker shock! After some discussion, reviewers agreed that this game was worth it for the right family and/or school situation.

Original for sure! Coin Hopping Washington DC is extremely unique in the world of board games. From the intricate directions to the visual images provided it is meant to be different!

Where would you like to travel today? Ford’s Theatre, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Post, Union Station, or the Supreme Court – just to name a few. Coin Hopping Washington DC will have you and your family landing in places that you and/or your child are unfamiliar with and providing a great history and American government lesson along the way. It may be hard to get going, but the payoff is a deeper knowledge of the system of the country, as well as a detailed trip around the heart of Washington DC.

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