DROP IT (Kosmos Games)
Without a direct theme established, it’s fun to think of Drop It as a source of inspiration for 1980s graphic designers. Brighter colors! More shapes! Space everything out to give a feeling of energy and excitement! Drop It is as fun a game to look at as it is to play.
On each turn players drop one of their colored wooden shapes into the Connect Four­-like vertical frame, scoring points off of where they ultimately land. Rows zig and zag the outside of the frame, indicating higher points for higher levels, while three sizes of shaded circles score bonus points if a shape can overlap.
Shapes are only allowed to score however if they following the Landing Rules that 1) a shape cannot touch the same shape 2) a color cannot touch the same color 3) a touching shape cannot violate the shape or color restrictions of the frame’s edges and 4) a shape cannot stick out above the game’s frame top. As long as none of these rules are violated – the shape can score.
Making things a little more interesting, the “Jokers” variant rule allows two violations tokens on the Landing Rules where a player can still score or choose to leave them unspent for three points each at the game’s end.

The main decision-making in Drop It comes from selecting which of the four shapes to drop on a turn. Circles are less easy to place precisely but can roll into opportune spots. If other players are playing lots of squares, it may be best to hold on to your’s for later rounds. Landing Rules may make all of your strategy moot, as only a triangle will be able to score for the turn. Leave your options open, you may not be so lucky later in the game.
Without slotted columns, only gravity and the previously dropped pieces alter a shape’s final resting spot. Drop it delicately and hope for an awkward balance, flick it mightily in a desperation move to try and make the best of a worst situation, ultimately few players will hone the skills to minimalize the chance that comes with a drop – but that doesn’t take anything away from the cheers from a lucky land or the groans for a bad finishing slide. (Kosmos Games) by David C. Obenour