We have been playing the Countdown board game, so today I’ll share our thoughts on it with a review, along with offering one of you the chance to win a copy…
Countdown is one of the longest-running and most iconic quiz shows on British television.With its distinctive music and compulsive game-play, the show has recently been given a new lease of life – and audience – through the 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown adaptation on Channel 4. Now you can play along as the stars do and hope to achieve a nine letter word or the elusive target number before the 30 seconds expire.There’s also the Countdown Conundrum, where you need to be quick off the mark to spot the jumbled up word before your fellow contestants.And for a real feeling of “being there”, the familiar music will count you down so you don’t have to take your eyes off the page as you try to win the game that has become a true household name since it launched Channel 4 back in 1982.
RRP £19.99
Also available from your friendly local game shop.
Game Play
If you’ve seen the show, then you will find playing this game is just like that. It follows the same format and so is easy to get into and play.
The box includes a board game, timer, cards for the letters and numbers rounds as well as several conundrums. There are then scoring pads and pencils along with a die to generate the numbers round total.
You play four letters rounds, trying to score the longest word each time from the letters available, before moving onto the numbers round. Again, there are numbers selected and you throw the die three times to generate your three digit target number. You score if you gain the highest letter words and get closest to the number target in each round, the same as the show. You repeat these rounds, with the game culminating with the conundrum. This is cleverly done as you all look at the anagram, and when someone thinks they have it, they use the little red screen to check the correct answer.
Oh, and every round is done to the sound of the countdown timer, which adds authenticity and pressure to proceedings!
The Verdict
This game is just like the TV show and translates to a board game very well. I like that they have kept it true to the show and haven’t made any attempts to over complicate a straightforward and engaging game.
The recommended age is 8 years and up, though my 6 year old enjoyed joining in with us, too. For young children, it’s a great way to get them thinking about words, though the numbers round was too challenging for her. From an adults point of view, it’s a simple set up and the chances are that everyone you play with will understand how to play as how many of us have never watched Countdown?!
Though there is a score pad with several rounds, it is really up to you how long you choose to play this one for, making it versatile enough for a quick game or hours worth of play.
If you enjoy playing along to the TV show, then you’ll love playing this one at home.
Competition Time!
I now have a Countdown board game up for grabs. To be in with a chance of winning it, enter using the rafflecopter below. The competition is open to UK entrants only and closes at 12am 26th September 2016. Good luck!
What appeals to you about this game?
Disclosure: We received the game FOC for the purposes of this post, and the post contains affiliate links
If it is like the programme then me and the kids will enjoy it as we love that too!
Challenges your brain at the same time
We love watching countdown my daughter is good with numbers
So my family can improve their spelling 🙂
I love the challenge!
really like countdown,educational for daisy
This looks really well made
love countdown always watch it, great for all the family
I like all board games, but prefer those where you have to use your brains and it’s not just left to the roll of the dice.
I like the programme and I like games that challenge the mind.
having fun trying to play countdown, ive never done well when ive watched it on tv, maybe improve my ‘skills’ or lack thereof
i love the TV programme so think I will love the game!
i love the TV show and word games are the best
I love the challenge of the countdown conundrum!
Fun, Competitive and everyone joins
i like it because it’s fun and educational at the same time
That children can play but also it is very true to the real game
I love watching the programme and trying to beat the contestants – would love to give this a go!
It’s great family game
We love playing board games as a family and we love countdown so win-win.
you can play it with the family x
I love watching Countdown on the television, it’s a good way to exercise your brain. I would love this game for the same reason.
My dad loves watching Countdown and after reading this post I reckon this would make a great birthday present for him.
Great for post Xmas lunch get together.
It’s just like the classic TV show.
It will help young ones develop their number skills and for us older ones help us brush up our skills!
we enjoy the programme and this would be something we would all enjoy
I always used to play along to the TV show so would love to play with friends and family
I love the show on tv every day and I know there would be many hours of fun by playing this,as well as keeping my brain fit and active
any game is good that a family can play and help with learning
I love countdown, me and my hubby always play the wii version and this looks good too
I like the numbers game part!
It exercises your brain
I love the programme, especially 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown but I also love the fact that it is a game where you have to think so can be educational as well.
watched it when i was young with my grandad in the 80s/90s so he woud be proud im doing so well watching it and understand it now
The chance for the whole family to play with the kids practising their maths and spelling at the same time – WONDERFUL (oooooh a 9-letter word).
OH My Word, I want this game so much! I love playing along when I watch on tv, and the 8 Out Of 10 Does Countdown is just my absolute favourite. I’ve always loved word and number games 😀
I enjoy watching the show when I’m not working, but I do dreadfully. It would be nice to get some practice with it.
It looks like a game everyone can enjoy
Looks fun for everyone and test our skills!
something to get the old brain thinking
I love word games and I love watching Countdown on TV but I am usually rubbish with the numbers aspect of the game x
It is fun and good brain training at the same time.
i am a bit of a countdown geek, so would love to play this.
I like the programme, so I imagine the game will be good.
I love how it is challenging and makes you think
I like that it stays true to the programme
Sounds like a simple game for the whole family to play. Everyone enjoys countdown. My mum in law lives with us now as she has dementia-she’s 87 and loves Countdown-fingers crossed she might just be able to follow. ?
I love the show and know I could kick my fiance’s behind playing it 🙂
educationally
I love the thought of interacting with the family plus the added bonus of challenging the mind. Thanks for the chance!
Keeps brain going
I like that you have a time limit to guess the answer.
It’s fun, but educational too.
I love watching the programme. The board game would almost be like being in the studio – only at home! – and better than shouting out answers at the TV screen, which I tend to do 🙂
Good way to keep the brain in gear xx
Getting the family together & having a fabulous night in together!
I love the TV show
I love a challenge! 🙂
A great looking fun family game. I love word games.
a game for every one
That it would be great for exercising my lazy brain! I’d really need to think!
It’s great fun and educational too
I love Countdown as it reminds me of my childhood and when I used to watch it with my dad
It’s a challenging game that is good for adults
I only watch the ‘Cats’ version on TV but even from that I know just how great the game is for expanding your vocabulary. I reckon children will enjoy this just as much as the adults.
My husband and I are very competitive so this game will be great fun!
We love watching countdown in my house so to sit together and play it would be amazing!
It’s fun but educational at the same time.
I love the idea of this game, I cant believe it wasn’t out years ago. My partner would love to pay this as he thinks he is a genius when Countdown comes on!
I used to love watching Countdown on TV and my nephew was on the Australian Countdown many moons ago. I’m sure the game will be just as interesting.
Fun yet challenging enough to get that grey matter working properly! Think it would be a great way to spend an evening ! Dxx
its very educational for my children
You need to use your brain but it also looks like it could be a good laugh too.
its a great educational game for the whole family and anything to educate my children whilst having fun has to be good
will help the kids to spell and excercise there brain
I love that you have to use your brains! Tablets off kids, mummy has a proper game to play!
It can be used as an educational game learning but having fun
challenging at the same time as being fun ! we love the programme too
its challenging!
What appeals to me about this game as unlike some board games it actually gets people having to concentrate instead of just moving pieces around a board.
Watch it on the telly and would be fun to play with the family
I have watched the tv show Countdown for years and would love to play this with my family
Because we love Countdown.
it looks fun and i love watching the show
I love the show so this looks fab
Have loved watching Countdown since I was a young girl, I would play along with my nan. I’m not that great with the numbers but I’m pretty good with the conundrums! This would be great for getting my kids playing along too!
we love countdown always play along on the TV, its great to help the kids with English and maths too
The family can play together.
We like to watch the tv show
The fact that I can play the same game they play on the telly.
It’s a good family game and we enjoy the programme x
it would be great to play with my family x
A great game for all.
Really help my kids with maths and English
I LOVE watching countdown so would love to play it.
I love the programme and I’d love the game.
Love Countdown, been watching it for years. No gimmicks, just a good classic game!
great fun for family helps with words
I like the idea of testing myself, I’m not too great when I play along with the TV
That you can play this classic tv show at home!
I’m addicted to the programme… cant wait to get my hands on the game !
It gives my brain a workout.
It seems a lot of fun for all of the family!
We can play against each other like the real countdown show
great game for the family
I love watching countdown and would love the play the board game of it
I love the show so it would be great to play the game.
my husband loves watching countdown, he would love this x
Being able to spend time as a family and getting the children of their electronics
This would be a game that would be played a lot in our family, me and my mum are obsessed with countdown.
I love Countdown – I love how it encourages you to challenge the old grey matter into action!
I always liked Countdown and play along it, so this would be a perfect addition to our games collection
This is brilliant as it will give us a reason to do something together in the evening
i love countdown! i never knew this existed. i love how theyve made it exactly like the show, including the time pressure. it wouldnt be countdown without it!
Keeps my brain active and would be great to play with my partner
It looks like a simple game that my whole family can play, and it could help with my children’s spelling
I’m a big fan of the tv show and think the game is a great idea for getting your brain working
It was a CONUNDRUM, should I enter this competition? I did the NUMBERS and they all added up so I put some WORDS in a comments box and will COUNTDOWN to the end of the competition.
I used to love watching countdown on a lunch time with my mum when I lived at home. This would be a good laugh to bring out on family nights.
I’ve always loved watching the tv show
Been a fan of the programme since it started. feeds my addiction for word and number puzzles 🙂
Like the tv show. Would be fun to play board game with the family.
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It’s great for having fun but keeping the mind sharp too.
I’ve enjoyed the TV programme for years and it would be fun to play at home
The great mind working game it is.
its a game that will keep your mind active
I love watching Countdown on TV I’m sure I would love to play this with my friends and family
playing with words!
It fun but also educational
Looks like a good game to get the grey matter going!
This is my teacher head speaking – I love that it works on English and Maths skills.
We love countdown and I think it would be fun to play
It is educational, uses maths and english and fun for all ages!
I like the fact that you can play it for as long as you like. If you don’t have much time you can still play it
Something for the whole family, and gets the kids thinking while having fun! My kids love a bit of Countdown!!
It’s a bit like scrabble but better as I like the mix of words and numbers, helps the kids with spelling and maths and they don’t even realise it ! 🙂 .x
Looks great fun and sounds so like the TV format – this would make a great addition to our games nights. Thanks for the chance to win!
I like the programme, so would like this game.
The family enjoy watching countdown so lets compete
What will appeal to grandson is he will think he better at it than me, he thinks because you are older you are thick, wait and see
We love watching the show – even my 8 year old loves it – this board game would be great fun and educational too!
the fact that it gets the kids thinking 🙂
challenge of the countdown conundrum!
i love board games, i much prefer to play traditional board games as a family than have our faces stuck to screens!
I love the tv show so this would be perfect for in the house
I love quizzing and countdown so it would be great to win this game
It stretches the brain and is competitive
I like that its educational as well as being fun, plus countdown is a classic!
Love the TV show countdown and also improve maths skills!
cool suff
Its a great game for the whole family. We watch the TV show and always try and join in with that!
It’d be a fun family game to play at Christmas!
Love the TV show and I think this would be a fun educational game for all ages.
Love the programme. It would be great family game to keep our brains working
I used to love watching this with my grandma, I would love to win this game and relive some memories
Love the programme and love board games
What appeals to me is that it is easy to set up and easy to understand, so all 3 of my daughters should be able to play! We love watching Countdown so being able to play it ourselves would be really funny! I think this could be the game that the kids cant cheat and steal bits to make them the winner! 🙂
we love playing along with 8 out of 10 cats does countdown
We all love Countdown in our house so this would be a great game
I love the show as does my family especially my sister. It would be great to get this out at christmas and play together.
I like the red decoder
It looks like fun
My son loves the show. I’m sure he would love the game too!
me and the family would enjoy it
I love countdown! I used to watch it with my nan after school waiting for my mum to come home from work. It brings back amazing memories for me of my nan xx
It looks like fun 🙂
I am always on the lookout for new board games and this looks like it could be a good addition to the games cupboard!
Has always been one of my favourite shows
I love Countdown, and especially love the 8 out of 10 Cats version! I always try to play along at home so an actual game would be really cool.
i need to get this for xmas! fun family game!
This looks like great fun – the rest of the family would love it too. 🙂
it excersising the brain in a fun way
I love countdown 🙂
I’m a huge countdown fan, right form the beginning with ”Twice nightly Whiteley” 😉 I rarely get to watch these days, but always whip out a pen and pad when I do and play along, I’m really quite good. I nearly applied to go on a few years ago but my anxiety wouldn’t let me, perhaps I’ll reconsider and apply ow…… Now there is a thought!
The game makes the children think but in a fun setting.
This would be ideal for our family games nights 🙂
Love the fact that it’s a mixture of numbers and letters and that everyone can join in.
Great to exercise the brain
We watch countdown on tv so to play it properly would be great
It’s the sort of game I love playing, where you really have to think as well
That you can play along just like the programme without having to embarrass yourself on tv! We love Countdown, and I used to own the original version of the board game when it first came out many years ago (it was a bit different to this – nothing electronic, for a start!) so would love to own the “modern” version 🙂
A challenging game you can always improve on.
I like the programme I always watched it with my nan! The game looks good fun.
I love countdown! Especially the number part 🙂
we love games like this
I always enjoy the word games on countdown
It looks like a challenge 🙂
I like the programme even tho I’m absolutely rubbish at it especially the maths. I love the fact it mentally challenges you.
I love the show from the 8 out of 10 Cats spinoff. It would be fun to play this with family and friends.
I soooooooooooooooooooooo love this
Excellent fun and a great way for us all to teach our little man to spell
This would be a great game to play over Xmas. Fingers and toes crossed x
This would be a great game to play over Xmas. Fingers and toes crossed x this will help encourage numbers and words
This game’s appealing as it seems challenging, like the show, but at the same time, it looks fun.
Perfect to exercise my baby brain.
Brain training 🙂
This looks amazing, never knew it was available.
I love playing along with the TV show so this sounds great 🙂
Love the show
Im such a huge fan…great for the family at Christmas !
We enjoy watching the programme and always try and get the right answers. We could play it anytime if we had the game
So my family can improve their spelling.
My mum has been watching countdown forever. Its how my eldest son learned his numbers n letters sat on grannys knee. only thing was he would say them like carol vorderman in an english accent. id love to win to play my mum for real
Great size for wet weekends away in my motorhome.
It engages your brain and my family loves boardgames xxx
I love puzzles and this looks great x
Its a programme my husband and I like to watch so I’m sure the board game would be fantastic.
I love playing along with the show, so this would be great fun
I like watching the programme and getting involved
We love the show as a family and enjoy word and maths challenges
We play along with the tv show at home anyway!
love countdown. Love giving the brain a workout watching it. Despite loving comedy shows – not the biggest fan of 8 out of 10 cats does countdown though. Too many distractions (and camera panning away so the letters aren’t on the screen) stopping you playing along.
Would love the game to play at home.
I love this game would be perfect for a sunday afternoon with the family ?
the challange and its a show we like to watch too
My sister-in-law is an absolute beast at Scrabble, but not so good at Countdown. So I’d love a game we might be able to beat her at!
We love the show and board games so it would be great fun!
i’m a fan of the tv show
It looks fun for the whole family
Just love new board games, looks like great fun.
I love Countdown on television so would enjoy playing this with my family. Especially as I would probably win!
it looks fun and educational at the same time
Always have a laugh watching the program trying to guess the answers. Would be great to have the game to own.
Love countdown – so will love this
It looks like the kind of game we could play as a family and all enjoy it. Thanks for the chance
It’s such a fun game to play on the tv, now to have a board game and to be able to test my intellect with my friends and family with this game would be amazing!!!
id love to play this with my husband as we both love countdown esp. the number round
I’ve always loved word games, and the numbers would be a challenge, which is good!
I think this is something we could all play together as a family on Winter evenings
It’s a game that can be played with the whole family
I love the fact that it’s a good game for the whole family and you can make the game a s quick, or as long as you like.
It’s just like the television show!
we love the programme
love the program and would love to play this x
That you can play it quickly if you wantto
Looks like a game my husband and I would both enjoy, not too many of those!
Our family love playing a good board game – would love to give this a try x
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