Don't Forget to Pack the Games This Weekend

EAST LONGMEADOW, MA--(Marketwire - May 21, 2009) - Warmer months bring the luxuries of summer Fridays, long weekends and school closings. In the coming days and weeks, fun-lovers of all interests and budgets will be traveling on vacations or planning economical "staycations" to make the most of their time off. Whether taking a weeklong family road trip or having a close-to-home beach-day with friends, games are an affordable way to ensure everyone has a great time.

This summer, AAA anticipates that "consumers will continue to make cost-saving decisions when they travel, such as selecting more economical lodging, dining and transportation," said Heather Hunter, PR Manager for AAA. However, "many people have a pent-up desire to travel, which combined with the decreased gas prices over last year may result in more Americans taking a road trip."

While on road trips this year, 44 percent of travelers are planning to bring games, according to a recent survey from Hasbro Games. When camping at the Grand Canyon or the Grand Tetons, games such as ELECTRONIC CATCH PHRASE, CRANIUM and YAHTZEE ELECTRONIC HAND-HELD GAME provide a spirited evening around the campfire. For those who are beach-bound, the new SCRABBLE SLAM or CRAZY OLD FISH WAR card games can easily be played on a beach mat under a sun umbrella. And if rain washes out a day of planned activities on your vacation, take out classic games like MONOPOLY or SCRABBLE to pass the time and create memories.

For those choosing to stay closer to home to save money, summer doesn't have to mean just sitting around watching old reruns on TV. In between trips to local museums or attending free concerts, families can enjoy hours of entertainment playing a new game since most games cost under $20. Games like the new CONNECT 4 -- now featuring two additional games-in-one, "PopOut" and "Pop 10" -- and the newly redesigned BATTLESHIP game, played on one double-sided grid, will provide hours of fun throughout the summer. And enjoy an all-new way to "own it all" with the new MONOPOLY DEAL card game, which has players making on-the-fly negotiations in a new card game format.

"This Summer -- wherever travel plans may take you -- games are a great value, they're fun for everyone in the family, and they can be played throughout the vacation and for years to come," said Belisa Anzalotti, Director of U.S. Marketing for Hasbro Games. "Plus, discovering a new board or card game with friends and family will help create vacation memories that will last a lifetime."

Even after the vacation or staycation is over, continue the fun by setting aside one night a week to play games during Family Game Night. Spice up the competition and introduce a new game every week, such as BOGGLE, CLUE or the find-it-first game PICTUREKA!. Need tips? Go to www.familygamenight.com for a full list of game suggestions and ways to host your own Family Game Night.

BOILERPLATE

Hasbro, Inc. is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

LINKS

Hasbro Family Game Night Website

Hasbro Website

Contact Information: CONTACTS: Kris Ann Brady Hunter Public Relations 212-679-6600 Ext.296 kbrady@hunterpr.com Pat Riso Hasbro Games 413-526-2307 priso@hasbro.com