Featured Games: Wonky, Flip 7, Blank Slate Challenge, Dadada, and Tapple After Dark.
Published By: The OP
Released: 2024
Overview:
At PAX Unplugged, I had the chance to attend a board game media party hosted by The Op, where I got to play—and later take home—five fantastic new party games. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly option, a game for casual players, or something with a bit more of an adult twist, this lineup has something for you. The games I’ll be covering are: Wonky, Flip 7, Blank Slate Challenge, and Tapple After Dark.
Wonky:
Wonky is an updated version of a 2016 game where players take turns playing cards and stacking corresponding blocks onto an ever-growing tower. The twist? The blocks come in different sizes and colors, and three of their sides are rounded, making balancing a serious challenge. If your block causes the tower to fall, you’ll have to draw new cards and start a fresh tower.
Wonky feels like a reverse version of Jenga—rather than removing pieces, you're trying to carefully add them without toppling everything over. It's easy to learn, comes in a compact box (making it super portable), and works well for casual gamers, families, and even coworkers on a lunch break. The game is simple, but if you're looking for something light and fun, it’s a great choice.
Flip 7
Flip 7 was one of my favorite new games from last year, and nearly everyone I’ve played it with has ended up buying their own copy. It’s a push-your-luck party game where the goal is to reach 200 points first. Players earn points by collecting cards and avoiding a bust. Sounds simple? It is! And it’s a blast.
The deck consists of various numbered cards, with each number appearing as many times as its value (e.g., there are four 4s, seven 7s, and twelve 12s). On your turn, you either hit (draw a new card) or pass (lock in your points for the round). If the new card matches a number you already have that round, you bust and score nothing. Special cards add extra strategic twists, helping players dodge busts or sabotage opponents.
Flip 7 scales well across different player counts—I played a massive 12-person game at PAX Unplugged, and it was fantastic! While larger groups take longer, it’s a great all-ages game that works with kids and grandparents alike. If you like light, high-energy games, this one’s a must-try. You can even use a free score-tracking app here: Flip 7 App.
Blank Slate Challenge
As a big fan of the original Blank Slate (you can check out my review of that here), I was excited to try Blank Slate Challenge—a new version designed for 2 or 4 players in a smaller box.
The goal is simple: fill in the blanks on the card with two words that make sense together, trying to match what your teammate wrote. You earn more points for matching your top word, but any shared words score. After 10 rounds, the team with the most points wins. In the two-player mode, you’re working together to reach 100 points.
While it sounds easy, it can actually be quite tricky! Matching two words exactly is a lot harder than just one, and what seems obvious to one player might not be to another. That’s part of the fun—you get a mix of hilariously perfect matches and completely random answers.
I personally prefer games with a win/loss condition over “beat your own score” styles, but I appreciate that Blank Slate Challenge offers a rare party game experience for just two players. If you're a fan of the original or want a word game that works in smaller groups, it’s a solid pick.
Dadada
Dadada is a hilarious party game from some fellow NYC game designers that’s all about making up your own language. Players start by laying out initial sound cards and a set of image cards. Using only these sounds—no real words allowed—the group assigns sounds to each image, creating their own unique language.
Once your new dialect is established, it's time for the clue-giving stage. One player gets a set of cards, one of which is the secret word. Their task? Use the newly invented language to communicate which card is the secret word while the rest of the group tries to guess correctly. The game ends after two incorrect guesses or once everyone has taken a turn as the clue giver.
This game is ridiculous in the best way and an absolute blast. I especially love that it’s a cooperative party game, which is pretty rare in this genre. It’s fascinating to see how different players interpret the same sounds—what one "word" meant to you might be completely different for someone else! Trying to decode their meaning when they’re the clue giver is both a fun challenge and a guaranteed laugh.
Dadada is a fantastic choice for groups looking to get silly together, whether it's friends or families. If you enjoy games that spark creativity and laughter, this one is a must-try!
Tapple After Dark
Tapple is a classic party game that I’ve been playing for years. In fact, outside of Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity, it’s probably the longest-running party game in my collection. The original is a go-to for game nights because, like Flip 7, it works for almost any group.
For those new to Tapple, the goal is to win three cards by coming up with words that fit a category while avoiding letters that have already been used. On your turn, you:
Flip over a category card.
Press the timer button (you have 10 seconds to respond).
Pick an available letter, press it down, and name something in the category that starts with that letter.
Hit the timer and pass to the next player.
Rounds continue until someone can’t name a valid word before time runs out. That player is eliminated, and the game continues until one player remains. That player wins the card.
Tapple After Dark plays just like the original, but with adult-themed categories. Since this blog is family-friendly, I won’t list the spicier ones, but examples include:
"Rad Dad Starter Pack Items"
"At-Home Date Night Ideas"
"Things I Grew Out Of"
If you love party games with a more mature twist, this version is a great addition to your collection. Bonus points for the new color scheme (a vibrant pink, blue, and yellow that matches Wonky) and a much-improved box—my original Tapple box has been through the wringer, so I love that this one is more shelf-friendly.
Final Thoughts
The Op has crushed it with this new lineup of party games. Whether you’re stacking blocks, flipping cards, guessing words, or racing against the clock, there’s something here for every type of party gamer. These all earn a spot alongside Telestrations and Hues and Cues in my list of party games I’ll play anytime.
The cat's meow:
Solo - looks at Wonky being played on the table, all the pieces balanced precariously as Jacqueline tries to stack another block.
"I am 100% going to mess with that" - Solo the Spokescat
10 seconds later, pieces lie on the floor and a very happy cat is batting around a blue block.
Disclosure: Pudgy Cat Games was provided a copy of this game in exchange for a review, however, this review reflects the honest thoughts of the author.
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