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Why we LOVE this product!
We picked Ransom Notes because it's one of the few party games that gets teenagers and adults laughing at the same table. Building a sentence from a random pile of words is genuinely creative, and it rewards quick thinking over vocabulary size, so everyone has a shot.
It's also a sneaky language game: players play with grammar, word order and double meanings without noticing.
Two things to weigh: it's rated 15+, and some prompts aren't family-friendly unless you pull them out, and setup the first time takes about 20 minutes to separate the magnets. For a teen-friendly game night, it's a winner.
Description
SKU:
0860003322154
Ransom Notes is a word magnet party game: players get a handful of random word magnets and race to build the funniest answer to a prompt, like a cut-and-paste ransom note. It's for 3 to 6 players and rated 15 and up.
What's inside
- 840 word magnets
- Metal trays to build your answers on
- Prompt cards
How it plays
Someone reads a prompt, everyone builds a response from their word magnets in about 90 seconds, and the funniest answer wins the round. Rounds take 1 to 2 minutes and a full game runs 30 to 90 minutes. The first time you play, budget about 20 minutes to break the magnets apart.
What players learn
- Vocabulary and wordplay: working with whatever words you're dealt
- Creative thinking: there's no right answer, only funny ones
- Social skills: reading the room and making the group laugh
Good to know before you buy
- Age: rated 15 and up. The maker says some prompts touch on adult themes; removing about 20% of the cards makes it family-friendly, and a separate PG Family-Friendly content pack is sold separately.
- Not the NSFW pack: the base game is the right choice for families; avoid the separate NSFW add-on.
- Value: $39.99 direct from Very Special Games at the time of writing.
Who it's for
Families with teens, game nights with older kids and grown-ups, and anyone who likes word games like Apples to Apples.
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About
Very Special Games
Very Special Games was founded in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2019 by Evan Katz and Josh Roberts, two creative collaborators who shared a love of games and a desire to make something different. Their journey began during lunch breaks at a consulting firm, where they experimented with their first game prototype using sticky notes. A few months later, they launched their first game, Charty Party, on Kickstarter, setting the foundation for their independent game company.
Evan and Josh set out to create games that are quick to learn but offer plenty of opportunities for creativity, clever thinking, and repeat play. Their approach combines distinctive concepts, quality components, and humor that brings people together, whether they're seasoned board game fans or simply looking for something entertaining to play with friends.
The company's growing collection includes inventive word games such as Ransom Notes, pun-making challenges like Puns of Anarchy, and unusual strategy games such as Abducktion. Each reflects the founders' interest in making tabletop games that feel fresh, accessible, and memorable.
As a small creative team, Very Special Games also emphasizes thoughtful customer service and building trust with its players. Its mission is simple: create clever, high-quality games that make it easy for people to laugh, think creatively, and enjoy spending time together.
