May Game Releases: Word Play, Horse, and Cardboard. The mix of 3 fun games you didn’t need to know. But now do.
- LowerShelf Games
- Jun 2, 2025
- 5 min read
With Word Play, Horse, and Cardboard being introduced, we had quite the variety of games joining LowerShelf’s Gamebase in May. Some of the new games are built for smaller groups of families and friends, while others are perfect for a group ready to get the party going.
The first game on the list in May was Word Play.
Some know the game Word Play as “Chain Link”, or even commonly known as the game “Chain Reaction” on the Game Show Network. This version of the well known game just uses players’ creativity, a piece of paper, and a pen.
In the game Word Play, players will be coming up with a short list of 5 words. The 5 words must relate or connect to each other to create a common phrase. For example, “Red” and the next word on the list is “Robin” to create the well known phrase “Red Robin”. And then Robin has to connect to the next word, and so on.
Here’s an example of a full list:
Couch
Potato
Head
Dress
Shoes
Players then will give the player to their left, only the first and last word on their respective list of 5 words. When the round starts, players will rush to figure out what the rest of the 3 words are. The first player to do so successfully, wins the round. And when a player wins 3 rounds, they win the game!
When Should I play Word Play?
We see Word Play as a perfect game for a relaxing night, or for those who are interested in getting their brain working. Word Play is basically a puzzle game using hints to connect the 5 word riddle. You will need a quiet environment where people have the chance to think and come up with creative lists of words.
The key to Word Play is coming up with good lists of 5 words. If people try to make them so hard that players are not able to get a correct list EVER, the game will become obsolete. In addition, if the lists are too simple, the game feels too easy, and people will get bored.
We love this game because of the way it brings in real thought. Sometimes players are looking for more than a mindless UNO game. Word Play does a great job of incorporating short game play, and genuine thought, for an exciting and competitive thinking game.
To learn the full rules and video tutorial check out How to play Word Play.
The 2nd Game released in May was HORSE.
The athletes, the skill based players, and basketball enthusiasts.
Everyone knows the classic basketball game HORSE. Players take shots to try and make their opposition miss, to earn letters to the word “Horse”. And when a player gets to HORSE, they lose.
In this table top game, players will all have their own cup. And players will take turns trying to bounce a pong ball into a cup in the middle of the table. As soon as that happens, all players at the table will reach to grab their cup from the middle. Each player will then play Flip Cup, until 1 player is left. That player earns a letter to HORSE, and the game resets. Play until a player gets to HORSE and loses.
When Should I play HORSE?
We see this game perfect for a party night. When you are with a group of friends that LOVE to get competitive. This fast paced game just needs a table, some cups, a pong ball, and a writing utensil. Tailgates, pregame for a night out, the main feature of a fiesta... basically wherever people want to get involved.
The key to the game is making the bounce shot. If people are missing the shot too often, it makes the gameplay very slow. If you see this happening when you are playing HORSE, it’s an easy fix. Just move the cups closer together, or you can have players reach farther across the table to make the bounce closer.
HORSE brings the nostalgia of playing the classic basketball game to the center of a table at a party. We love HORSE because of the fast gameplay, and the inevitable loss of a single player.
To learn the full rules and video tutorial check out How to play H.O.R.S.E.
Our 3rd Game in May was Cardboard.
This hilarious game was made for the gymnasts, or those with a little flexibility and a lot of laughter to give. The game Cardboard is not for the faint of heart, and if you want to get down and dirty, this game is for you.
In Cardboard, players will be taking turns picking up a piece of cardboard from the floor.
We know. WHAT?!?
Seriously... in this game players will typically use their mouth or their elbows to try and pick up a piece of card from the ground.
No hands allowed.
And no getting on your knees or bottom. So players will be going into splits, bending over, and doing whatever they can to grab the cardboard. Each time it is done successfully, a piece of the cardboard will be ripped off to make it smaller and smaller. When a player fails to pick the cardboard up they are eliminated.
When Should I play Cardboard?
This game is so funny for families or for friends. If you have a family holiday or family picnic, or what have you. Break out a piece of cardboard, I am sure there will be an empty beer box or soda box laying around. It is going to create a ton of laughs for all ages. Friends can do this too. Cardboard is the perfect game for a tailgate. It requires basically no materials, and everyone can learn the rules in seconds.
The key to the game is starting with a full box. You can still play the game with a flat piece of cardboard. But the game lasts longer when players are able to grab onto part of the box that is raised off the ground. Another key is making the rips strategic. Stray away from small or big rips, because if they are too big, the game ends too quickly, and if they are too small, the game would go on way too long.
This game is probably the funniest one we released in May. Cardboard is for all ages, easy to learn, and will promise to make all the players laugh.
To learn the full rules and video tutorial check out How to play Cardboard.
If you want to learn more games make sure to check out our website LowerShelfGames.com!
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Favorite Game Released?
Cardboard
H.O.R.S.E.
Word Play
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