MUMBAI: Mattel, Inc. has acquired the rights from Out of the Box Publishing, Inc., to manufacture, distribute and market several games properties, including the award-winning Apples to Apples, Snorta and Blink.

“We are thrilled to add these successful games to Mattel’s growing portfolio of games. Out of the Box Publishing has established a great foundation for success, particularly with Apples to Apples. And much like our own UNO brand, the games we have acquired are easy to understand, family-oriented, and most of all, fun to play. Our strengths in areas like international distribution and brand management should allow us to build upon the strong momentum Out of the Box Publishing already established,” said Mattel Brands general manager and senior vice president Tim Kilpin.

“We are pleased that Mattel will be able to utilize their global leadership and resources to take these games to the next level,” said Out of the Box Publishing, Inc president Mark Osterhaus.

Games included as part of the acquisition include:

Apples to Apples: The wild, award-winning card and party game that provides instant fun for four to 10 players. It’s as easy as “comparing apples to apples.” Just open the box, deal the cards, and you’re ready to play. Select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, you win that round. And everyone gets a chance to be the judge. Each round is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons from a wide range of people, places, things, and events.

Snorta: The game where each player chooses the sound of a typical farm animal and the fun begins. As players quickly flip over cards, tongue-tied players stumble and stutter to blurt out the animal sounds of the other players. Before long your “barnyard” fills with bales of laughter.

Blink: The lightning fast game where two players race to be the first to play all of their cards. Using sharp eyes and fast hands, players quickly try to match the shape, count, or color on the cards. The first player out of cards wins!