The Detective, Explorer and Heroes Adventure Cards all play the exact same way; only the illustrations are different. It plays a lot like 'Go Fish' except that players must match randomly determined melds instead of pairs.

Each game has two 24-card decks each with 6 cards of 4 colors each. One deck is separated by color and then used to form six four-card melds containing one card of each color.

The second deck is dealt to each player plus one blind hand dealt face down. Players ask an opponent for a specific card. If the opponent has that card, the player takes it and goes again. Otherwise, the player gets to look at one of the blind cards and ends his turn. A player may also declare the number and color of a hidden card and claim it if he is correct. Once a player matches a meld, he takes it and keeps playing.

As you can see, the artwork has an appealingly simple retro look about it, even though the play would really only appeal to children. If you like the art, get all three decks, otherwise just pick your children's favorite theme and buy one.

The description on the back of the Detective deck sends a mixed message by describing the 'Happy Family Game' involving 'Six Horrific Murders.' Hmm.