How it plays
The 60 round cards show one of ten category symbols on a coloured background on one side and three letters in red, yellow and blue on the other. The top card is placed letter side up next to the pile: the category on the pile applies, together with the letter in its colour, for example animal with L. Only the first word called out counts: a correct word wins the card, while a wrong word or one that has already been said costs a card already won. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins.
What it can help develop
At its core is word retrieval with two constraints: for “animal with L”, a word has to match both the meaning and the initial letter. Before that, players have to match the colour quickly and ignore the other letters, because only the first call counts: processing speed. Impulse control comes in too: whoever hastily calls out something wrong or a word that has already been said gives up a card, so players have to remember what has already come up.
Especially suitable for
- Children from age 8 who love words
- Short games on the go: small box
- Children with colour vision deficiency: the colours have patterns
Less suitable for
- Groups with big differences in speed, such as adults against eight-year-olds
- Players who want variety: there are only six cards per category
Our verdict
Speedy Words is a worthwhile choice for word-loving children from age 8 and for short games on the go, because it needs no pen and paper and fits in a small box. Its strength is the fun across generations. Its limitations are the lack of variety, difficult categories such as famous people and films, and the gap in speed between adults and children.
Getting started
- Before the first round, make clear that the first answer called out decides; wrong calls and words that have already been said cost a card already won.
- In mixed groups, agree that older players show consideration for younger ones so that the pace does not cause frustration.
- Players who find it hard to tell colours apart can go by the patterns of the letters: blue has waves, yellow wood grain, red zigzags.
In detail
Variants and player count
According to Game Factory, the edition “Stadt Land Flip” (item number 646278) is a game for 2 to 6 people from age 8. The ten categories are city, country, object, plant/tree, job, film/TV, first name, animal, food and famous person. According to BoardGameGeek, the game by Treo Game Designers was published in 2014 as “Speedy Words”, by FoxMind and Game Factory among others. The Spielecafé der Generationen points out that the contents of the box of “Stadt Land Flip” are exactly the same as those of “Speedy Words”.
What reviewers say
In Reich der Spiele (2016), Mareike Schöbel calls the Game Factory edition “Speedy Words” a good travel game whose 10 minutes are ideal on the go. She criticises the six cards per category, which are always the same; in groups of children only, it quickly becomes frustrating, and famous people or films are difficult for children. Her overall verdict is only moderate. In the Spielecafé der Generationen (2021), Christiane Köstlinger highlights starting without pen and paper and the fun for adults too; older players should show consideration for younger ones, and with five or more people it gets turbulent. On Lautapeliopas, Mikko Saari reviews the Finnish edition “Sanaseppä”: according to the review, the rules are quickly explained, combinations are often repeated, and the speed game is no fun when one person is clearly better.
How it compares
Just One (from age 8, 3 to 7 people, about 20 minutes) shares with Speedy Words the skill area of language and also calls for word retrieval, plus perspective-taking and cognitive flexibility. In Just One, everyone plays as one team, which suits children who dislike losing; Just One can only be played with three or more people. Bananagrams (from age 7, 1 to 8 people, about 15 minutes) shares with Speedy Words language as well as perception and speed and also calls for word retrieval and processing speed, here with letters and spelling. At about 10 minutes, Speedy Words is the shortest of the three and the only one with impulse control as a skill area.
Sources
- Game Factory: Stadt Land Flip (publisher’s page, in German)
- Game Factory: Stadt Land Flip rules (PDF, in German)
- Game Factory: Stadt Land Flip rules (PDF, in French)
- Game Factory: Stadt Land Flip rules (PDF, in Italian)
- BoardGameGeek: Speedy Words
- Reich der Spiele: review (in German)
- Spielecafé der Generationen: review (in German)
- Lautapeliopas: Sanaseppä, review (in Finnish)
Frequently asked questions
What age is Speedy Words suitable for?
Speedy Words is recommended from age 8. A child who enjoys finding words and can cope with faster players is ready; categories such as famous people or films are considered difficult for children.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 10 minutes. The game is for 2 to 6 people, who play against each other at the same time, and whoever has the most cards at the end wins. According to one review, it gets chaotic with five or more people.
What skills can Speedy Words help develop?
Speedy Words can help develop language, perception and speed as well as impulse control. For animal and L, the word has to fit both the category and the letter in the matching colour, and anyone who hastily calls out something wrong gives up a card they have won.
Is Speedy Words the same game as the German “Stadt Land Flip”?
Yes. Both go back to the same design by Treo Game Designers. According to one review, the box contents of “Stadt Land Flip”, the German edition reviewed here, are exactly those of the earlier Game Factory edition “Speedy Words”.