Set (1988)

Each card contains 1-3 matching objects, in one of three colors, shapes, and shadings. Twelve cards are laid out, and the first person to spot a set of three collects those cards. The cards are replaced from the deck and play continues.

A set consists of three cards that are either all alike or all different in each attribute: for instance, if all three cards have the same number of objects, but different shapes, shadings, and colors, then they're a set. If two of the cards have a common attribute that is not shared by the third, they are not a set.

Re-implemented as a dice game with Set Cubed.

Components:

• 1 small rule summary sheet
• 81 playing cards
  • each card has 1 of 3 colors (27 green, 27 purple, 27 red)
  • each card has 1 of 3 numbers (27 1-shape, 27 2-shapes, 27 3-shapes)
  • each card has 1 of 3 shadings (27 filled-in, 27 outlined, 27 shaded)
  • each card has 1 of 3 symbols (27 ovals, 27 squiggles, 27 diamonds)

Awards: (from SET Enterprises web site)

• 2007 Creative Child's Preferred Choice Award
• 2007 TDMonthly Classic Toy award
• 2005 "Top 100 Games of 2005" Games Quartely
• 2004 ASTRA Hot Toys
• 2004 Parents' Choice 'Best 25 games of the past 25 years'
• 2002 Bernis's Major Fun award
• 2002 NSSEA - Top New Product
• 2001 Teachers' Choice Learning Award
• 2001 Educational Clearinghouse A+ Award
• 2000 Top Ten Games - Wizards of the Coast
• 1999 Parents' Council award
• 1998 Parents Magazine
• 1997 Parents' Choice Award
• 1996 Dr. Toy's 10 Best Games
• 1996 ASTRA Top Toy Pick
• 1995 Games Magazine 'Games 100' Award
• 1995 Deutscher Spiele Preis
• 1994 Games Magazine 'Games 100' Award
• 1993 Games Magazine 'Games 100' Award
• 1992 The Consumers Association of Quebec
• 1992 The Canadian Toy Testing Council
• 1992 Games Magazine 'Games 100' Award
• 1991 The Detroit News
• 1991 OMNI Magazine
• 1991 MENSA Select Award

1991 Mensa Select

Online Play

• MultiplayerSet: real-time, multiplayer, in-browser with no plugins required
• http://smart-games.org/en/ (Single and Multiplayer without flash, iPad compatible)
• http://logical-games.org/ (Flash version with score records)
• Aso Brain Games (real-time)
• games.wtanaka.com - Set (real-time or turn-based; single or multi-player; monthly time trial challenge)
• http://www.ludagora.net/ (turn-based)
• Game Pixies (Multiplayer game or daily time trial challenge)
• http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm (Daily Puzzle on Set Enterprises Home Page)
• http://www.highergames.com/
• SET solver with source code
• http://setgame.ath.cx (iPhone compatible)
• http://www.nytimes.com/ref/crosswords/setpuzzle.html NY Times Online

Microbadges

I find the braintwisting sets fastest
Set