Welcome!

Ashland Fun and Games is the hub of the gaming community of Northern Wisconsin. We also proudly carry the largest selection of family games, party games, educational games, role-playing games, and collectible games in the Northland.

Please come by and use our large gameroom and try out a board game, play in a Magic tournament, or just meet other game enthusiasts in the area!



Wednesday, July 6, 2016

A Salmon Slappin' Good Time

Secret Game Night recap - 7/5
We play board games every Tuesday night at Ashland Fun and Games at 7:30pm. We call it Secret Game Night because it’s outside of the store’s regular hours, but anyone is welcome to come down and play some games with us.
We had 19 people at various parts of the night, and it was truly one of the sillier game nights we've had in awhile, and we had a nice group of younger players joining us for the first hour or so tonight, ranging from ages 5 to 10.  



The kids started off with Coconuts, a dexterity game from Mayday Games.  In the gaming hobby, there is always talk of good "gateway games".  These are the games that you want to introduce your non-gamer friends to that typically have fast play, easy to learn rules, and of course are fun and addictive.  I think Coconuts is my go-to gateway game for kids 8 and younger. You get to fling little rubber coconuts across the table using an adorable plastic monkey.  That's pretty much it and that's pretty much all it needs to be.  

Next the kids and grown-ups got together to play a couple of crazy, run around the table type games in Happy Salmon and Dancing Eggs.  We introduced Happy Salmon to our game night last week to rave reviews, and the kids seemed to have just as fun as the adults this week.  Dancing Eggs is a game where players end up holding rubber eggs in awkward places (under the chin, between the knees, in the armpit, etc) and then trying to do things like race around the table.  You typically look ridiculous trying to do so, which makes for some great laughs.  So if you had to decide between the two, which would I recommend?  Happy Salmon is cheaper, faster, and requires less rules explanation while generating about as many laughs.  Both are good, but I think Happy Salmon gets the nod for now.



  
While the kids were working up a sweat running around one table, the next table over had some adults playing the copy of Girl Talk: One Direction Edition I found at Goodwill. The game tries to encapsulate the fun of a sleepover and does a pretty knock up job.  Maybe some of the other attendees have some Snapchat pics of the players having to do sit-ups as a dare, or having to bark like a dog for 10 seconds.  Now, whether they were just being funny in an ironic way or if they were secretly glad they could finally show off some One Direction trivia they secretly knew is undetermined.  


After the younguns went home and I was able to tear away a fourth player from Girl Talk, we began the featured game of Quadropolis.  This is a new game by Days of Wonder, which is a publisher known for releasing very few games but they all tend to be excellent.  Quadropolis is a city building game, using building tiles that score points in a variety of ways, like the apartment buildings that score more points the higher you stack them or factories that score points if you manage to put them next to harbors.  The best part of the game is the manner in which players acquire and place these tiles, which is also happens to be the most terrible part of the game as well.  All tiles are placed on a 5x5 grid.  Everyone has "architect" tiles labeled 1-4.  Players then take turns placing their architect either next to a left/right row or next to a up/down column of tiles.  If you use your #3 architect and place it by a row, you take the third tile in that row.  Then you place it on your personal city tile in either the #3 column or the #3 row.  It's very simple and unique - but maddening!  It's often dizzying when you see the exact tile on the 5x5 grid that you need to score points, and then forget that the number on your architect that you used to get said tile doesn't match an area on your city space where you want it.  The game pretty much held my hand throughout this first game, and I definitely had a few "ah ha!" moments when the game started to make sense.  Unfortunately those moments also made me realize I was losing.  Still, it's a very slick design and I'm sure I'll be talking about it more in the future.  


While our group was building up cities, the next table over was destroying them while playing "Terror in Meeple City".  This game has been a favorite of several game night regulars, and if your collection is missing some sort of dexterity game, definitely give it a look.  


Telestrations made an appearance too!  Talk about a game that never disappoints.  I still think Pictomania is my favorite drawing game, but Telestrations has the advantage of being a filler game and perhaps one of the best icebreaker/party games out there.


Finally we closed out the night with another few tries at Escape from the Aliens in Outerspace.  This may turn out to be the most requested game of 2016.  Hidden roles, hidden movements, eating your buddies, waving to your buddies as you blast off in an escape pod...what's not to like?
Next week the store will not be available on Tuesday night so we'll have our first official "Away Games" week.  The location is still being determined but I think this might be a fun thing to do periodically.  In the mean time, happy gaming!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Secret Game Night recap - 6/28

Secret Game Night recap - 6/28
We play board games every Tuesday night at Ashland Fun and Games at 7:30pm. We call it Secret Game Night because it’s outside of the store’s regular hours, but anyone is welcome to come down and play some games with us.
We had 11 people play this week, including Davis and Shiloh who both happened to be in town and Caleb who played with us for the first time.


We started off with a big game of 2016 Spiel Des Jahres nominee, Codenames. This is a really nice game and definitely deserves it’s place as one of the top games of the year, but it fell kind of flat tonight. I personally had fun, we all laughed and joked a lot, and everyone was pretty involved, yet I was ready to move on after playing just three rounds of it. Maybe it was because of the game’s problem with analysis paralysis, or maybe we had too many people playing. Party games like these are best when you can start to think like, and get on the same “wave length” as your friends around the table. If I had to pick, I would probably go with Dixit or the upcoming Hive Mind game to achieve that “get inside someone’ else’s head” kind of fun. I’m still going to recommend this game as one of the best party games on the market, but I think it serves better for a more icebreaker/cerebral party game experience than a social one.


I played a 5-player game of Machi Koro next. After playing Machi Koro a ton when it first came out, this was actually the first time I got it to the table in 2016. It really does it’s job well as a light gateway game that is just satisfying enough to keep someone with a mid-weight preference engaged. This game is great for families with kids 8+, or casual gamers who are looking for their first foray into board game collecting. The most obvious comparison is Settlers of Catan, and I could definitely see someone going with Machi Koro because of the theme and quirky artwork.



We had a little time to wait for the next game to get setup so I took the opportunity to break out Tem-Purr-A again as a filler game. Tem-Purr-A is very cute push your luck/faux trick taking game with a theme of cats eating sushi. This was actually my favorite experience with the game and I think it’s earned a place among the micro games we stock. The theme alone will be a big enough selling point for some people.


I wrapped up the night with a few games of Escape from the Aliens in Outerspace. This game has been a hit lately. It’s certainly not perfect, but when the game works it is excellent. Our first game was a bit of a clunker as we just had an unusual run of white cards being drawn and very little information for the aliens to go off of. Game two we had a hilarious ending where both humans coincidentally entered the same unsafe area and both drew red cards. Both were immediately eaten by the aliens from the same attack. Game three was the best. It was a cat and mouse game before the aliens finally got Jackson, leaving Luke as the only human. Luke turtled around the bottom of the map, waiting to make his move. Jackson, now an alien, made a guess as to where Luke was hiding and found…another alien, eliminating him from the game. Luke had almost gotten away, but was sadly eaten just one space away from his escape pod. There’s a lot to like with this game. Unlike most hidden movement games, everyone gets to have fun secretly moving around the map. Also, games like Fury of Dracula and Letters from Whitechapel take about 2-4 hours to play, you can get several games in of Escape from the Aliens in Outerspace in one hour, depending on player count.


Other players got in a game of Puerto Rico, and closed out the night with a rambunctious game of Happy Salmon. This was probably the game of the night, judging by the laughter and by how many people immediately asked if we had any copies in stock. I think I had almost as much fun watching them play as I would have if I played myself. Almost. Next time I will be the happiest salmon.
Happy gaming!

Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Final Magic Standings

Thanks to everyone who played at any of our sanctioned events in 2011. Please help us build on these numbers in 2012 and continue growing our awesome gaming community!


1.) Greenfield, Levi 448
2.) Croteau, Joseph 388
3.) holzhaeuser, Wilson 323
4.) Rongstad, Dakota 268
5.) Johnson, Jason 258
6.) hengescht, Lee 233
7.) Madsen, Michael 229
8.) hurlburt, David 219
9.) Kegel, Steven 217
10.) Martin, Nick 211
11.) Rongstad, Mike 196
12.) Aimone, Stephanie 189
13.) huite, Skylar 154
14.) Stanny, Chris 123
14.) huite, Shiloh 123
16.) Kolodziejski, Ed 106
17.) hillert, Christopher 94
18.) Katchka, Joshua 88
19.) Kamantauskas, Michael 85
20.) harrelson, Brian 82
21.) Bucheger, Jesse 81
22.) Lein, Stephanie 72
23.) Dowd, Rick 68
24.) Seefeldt, Ian 60
25.) Ridlon, Nolan 55
26.) Salmon, Tore 45
27.) Guski, Robert 39
27.) Gary, Trevor 39
29.) Basile, Anthony 34
30.) Doering, Oakley 33
30.) Truchon, henry 33
32.) Sanderson, Pete 32
33.) Vitek, Nick 27
34.) Faber, Eric 25
34.) Maher, Robert 25
36.) Lowthian, Declan 24
36.) Anderson, Xavias 24
38.) Doering, Eddy 22
39.) Schmidt, James 21
39.) Solem, Phil 21
39.) Skogan, David 21
39.) Terry, Davis 21
43.) Rynda, Ray 18
43.) Carroll, Mitchell 18
43.) Erickson, Andrew 18
46.) Buvala, Josh 15
46.) Baughcum, Mitch 15
46.) Parent, Nathan 15
46.) Skulan, Nick 15
46.) Vaughn, Dan 15
51.) Rhody, hank 12
51.) Reich, Karl 12
51.) George, Tom 12
51.) LcClere, Kenny 12
51.) Liphart, Jake 12
56.) Engel, Adam 10
56.) Sobtzak, Sam 10
58.) Buvala, Jacob 9
58.) Schmidt, Chris 9
58.) Carl, Ron 9
58.) holder, Nathan 9
58.) Seefeldt, Francis 9
58.) Rosburg, Jeff 9
64.) Thomas, Nathan 7
64.) Castor, Stephen 7
64.) Barbeau, Jean Marc 7
64.) Defoe, Courtney 7
64.) Lynn, Jacob 7
69.) hudson, Luke 6
69.) Peterson, Grant 6
69.) Cramer, Drew 6
69.) Daoust, Ashley 6
69.) Dickerson, Sean 6
69.) Bulovsky, Ben 6
69.) Peltekian, Aram 6
76.) Manzer, Reilly 4
76.) Manzer, Ruger 4
78.) Malmquist, James 3
78.) Allen, Cody 3
78.) Koval, Travis 3
78.) Adams, holly 3
78.) Carlson, Chelsey 3
78.) Giagnoni, Tina 3
78.) han, Robert 3
78.) Schue, Leo 3
78.) Lazorik, Michael 3
78.) hanson, Wade 3
78.) Switzer, Tom 3
94.) hewland, hannah 0
94.) Tracyzk, Alan 0
94.) Anderson, Kerry 0
94.) henry, Jacob 0
94.) Lambert, James 0
94.) Sloan, Ryan 0



Thursday, December 22, 2011

We love these games!

We don't just sell games, we sell family bonding time, we sell the ice breaker at your next party, we sell fun.

Let us help you find the perfect game by sharing some of our favorite titles.

Are you looking for a game that both younger children and adults can play together? Try:
Tok Tok Woodman


Tok Tok Woodman is a terrific dexterity game, like Jenga. Where in Jenga you have a tower of blocks, here you have a plastic tree made up of discs. Each player gets two taps with a toy axe to carefully knock off pieces of bark from the discs without sending the whole tree tumbling down.











Are you looking for a game to play with a non-gaming crowd? Try:
Tetris Link
Just about everyone is familiar with how Tetris works so Tetris Link will hook anyone with it's simple rules, quick play, and solid strategy.








or

Trophy Buck
In this part of the country, every single person either deer hunts, or knows someone who deer hunts. Even if they aren't into games, they'll be open to trying Trophy Buck with it's camo/blaze orange package design. After one round everyone will know the rules to this dice game with a fun, push your luck mechanic.




Do your friends and family enjoy playing Apples to Apples? Try any of these games with very similar rules:



















In Bubble Talk, each player gets a hand of silly caption balloon cards and players take turns being the judge. The judge reveals a bizarre picture and then each other player chooses one of the caption balloon cards in their hand that they think would be the funniest fit to the revealed picture. The judge chooses the best one!

Faux-Cabulary is a great fit for families that enjoy word games. Each player has three dice with word fragments on each side. The judge reads a definition of a new word, like "That sticky substance on movie theater floors". Each player attempts to create a word with their dice that sounds like it could fit the description. Again, the judge chooses the best, or funniest one.

In Dixit, each player receives a hand of cards with very strange, abstract artwork on them. Each player takes turns being the story-teller. The story-teller picks a card in their hand and tries to come up with a brief sentence, or phrase, or sound that describes it and places it face down. Then each player picks a card in their hand that might be close to the story-teller's description and places it face down. All the face down cards are shuffled up and players guess which card was the story-tellers!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

2011 Magic Standings Update

We finally got caught up with the 2011 Magic Standings. The standings are compiled points earned at any of our sanctioned events. If you've played in any events in 2011, stop by Ashland Fun & Games to see where you land on the full standings!

Some highlights:

Top 10 Overall (Seasons 1, 2, and 3)
1. Levi Greenfield - 375
2. Joe Croteau - 322
3. Wilson Holzhaeuser - 308
4. Michael Madsen - 229
5. Lee Hengescht - 215
6. Dakota Rongstad - 214
7. Jason Johnson - 209
8. Stephanie Aimone - 171
9. Mike Rongstad - 166
10. Nick Martin - 151

Top Player - January
Levi Greenfield

Top Player - February
Lee Hengescht

Top Player - March
Wilson Holzhaeuser

Top Player - April
Levi Greenfield

Top Player - May
Michael Madsen

Top Player - June
Wilson Holzhaeuser

Top Player - July
Levi Greenfield/Wilson Holzhaeuser

Top Player - August
Jason Johnson

Top Player - September
Joe Croteau

Top Player - October
Steven Kegel

Top Female Player
Stephanie Aimone

Top Player 15 years of age or younger
Michael Rongstad

Top Player 16-18 years of age
Dakota Rongstad

In 2011, Ashland Fun & Games has had 85 different players play in Magic tournaments, as of 11/11/11.


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Innistrad singles available for pre-order!




Complete Common/Uncommon Innistrad Playset
4 copies of each common and uncommon from Innistrad - $40

White
Angelic Overseer x2 - $6 each
Champion of the Parish x2 - $2.5 each
Dearly Departed x2 - $1 each
Divine Reckoning x3 - $2 each
Elite Inquisitor x1 - $3.5
Geist-honored Monk x1 - $2
Mentor of the Meek x2 - $5 each
Mikaeus, the Lunarch x1 - $8
Stony Silence x1 - $2

Blue
Back from the Brink x1 - $1
Cackling Counterpart x2 - $3 each
Laboratory Maniac x1 - $2.50
Ludevic's Test Subject x1 - $1.5
Mindshrieker x2 - $4 each
Mirror-Mad Phantasm x1 - $5
Rooftop Storm x1 - $1
Skaab Ruinator x1 - $22.50
Snapcaster Mage x3 - $30 each
Sturmgeist x3 - $1
Undead Alchemist x2 - $1.25 each

Black
Bloodgift Demon x1 - $3
Bloodgift Demon FOIL x1 - $10
Bloodline Keeper x2 - $4 each
Curse of Death's hold x1 - $1
Endless Ranks of the Dead x1 - $1
Heartless Summoning x1 - $5
Liliana of the Veil x1 - $35
Severe the Bloodline x1 - $1.25
Skirsdag high Priest x3 - $2.50 each
Unbreathing horde x1 - $2

Red
Balefire Dragon x1 - $3
Blasphemous Act x3 - $1 each
Charmbreaker Devils x3 - $1 each
Curse of Stalked Prey x1 - $1.50
Devil's Play x1 - $2.50
Falkenrath Marauders x1 - $1
Instigator Gang x1 - $1.50
Kruin Outlaw x1 - $1.50
Past in Flames x1 - $10
Stromkirk Noble x3 - $3.50 each

Green
Creeping Renaissance x1 - $2
Daybreak Ranger x3 - $2 each
Elder of Laurels x2 - $1 each
Gutter Grime x2 - $1.25 each
Gutter Grime FOIL x1 - $3
Kessig Cagebreakers x1 - $1.50
Mayor of Avabruck x1 - $3
Moldgraf Monstrosity x1 - $1.50
Parallel Lives x1 - $4
Splinterfright x2 - $2 each
Tree of Redemption x1 $4

Multi-Colored
Evil Twin x3 - $2 each
Geist of Saint Traft x1 - $15
Geist of Saint Traft FOIL x1 - $30
Grimgrin, Corpse-Born x1 - $5

Lands/Artifacts
Clifftop Retreat x2 - $6 each
Creepy Doll x2 - $2 each
Gavony Township x2 - $2 each
Hinterland Harbor x2 - $7 each
Isolated Chapel x2 - $7 each
Kessig Wolf Run x2 - $2.50 each
Manor Gargoyle x1 - $1
Moorland Haunt x1 - $3.50
Nephalia Drownyard x2 - $2 each
Runechanter's Pike x1 - $1
Stensia Bloodhall x1 - $1.25
Sulfur Falls x2 - $7 each
Witchbane Orb x1 - $2
Woodland Cemetery x2 - $8 each

Sealed products available only through store. Pre-order a box today for $115.

Please contact via email (ashlandfunandgames@gmail.com) or call to place any orders. Shipping rates may apply up to $1.50 per card, or a reduced rate for multiple purchases. Orders may also be picked up at the store at no cost.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Expanded Holiday Store Hours!

Beginning December 14th, Ashland Fun & Games will be open 7 days a week for the holiday season!

Saturday through Tuesday - 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday through Friday - 12pm to 9pm