MB Games, Pounds 11.95 (Argos and leading toy retailers) Age six upwards

Equipment Two plastic frames containing 24 flip-up portraits, plus yellow pegs for counting the number of games won (maximum five). The line-up is of 19 quite hideous men (I think I might have gone out with a couple of them) and five women. The treats on offer include Charles (blond, droopy moustache), Eric (saucy sailor’s hat) and Max (bulbous nose). The only nod towards ethnic minorities is Anne with Afro hair but a touch of the Michael Jacksons.

Who can play Only two people at a time.

When Any time. Not ideal for travelling, as the frames are quite bulky.

What happens Each player chooses a card with a face and name on it. It is then up to their opponent to name the face. This is done by asking questions such as “Is the person wearing glasses?” If your opponent answers no, you can flip down (with a most satisfying series of clicks) all the bespectacled faces on your frame. You carry on eliminating people in this way until you can name the person on your opponent’s card. The first one to do so is the winner. This is much easier if the card is of a women as there are only five and the first question always tends to be “Is it a man?” or “Is it a woman?”

Entertainment factor The faces themselves are entertaining enough. Younger children enjoy the game more than older ones, but the game can be beefed up by asking the questions in whichever foreign language they are learning. It’s a great way to practise basic description, and fun too.

TES star rating ***

**** Must-have

*** Rainy-day stand-by

** Emergencies only

* Go home