How to Buy Sport Table Games

Foosball will always be foosball - and there are lots more choices out there now. From hockey to soccer to tennis, here's how to choose a game for your tabletop athlete.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tables
• Electronic Hot Shot Basketball Games
• Head-to-Head Basketball Game
• Head-to-Head Football Game
• Head-to-Head Soccer Game
• Laser Tennis Games
• Power Soccer Game
• Air Cushion Hockey Game
• Pool Tables
• Sport Table Games
• Table Tennis Playing Tables
• Electronic Official NFL Super Bowl Game
• Top Corner Hockey Game

1. Identify your athlete's favorite sport (this shouldn't be hard!).
2. Find out if your athlete's got a secret yen to try something new - ask around if you need to.
3. Investigate the physical limitations of your athlete's space - most tabletop games are about 3 feet by 1 1/2 to 2 feet, and the players need room to move around the game.
4. Determine if there's a sturdy table in place. If not, you may have to supply that too.
5. Check out the playing field - available options include smart laser tennis, which uses a bright laser to project a "ball" of light on the "court." The game understands a successful volley as a challenge and speeds up.
6. Remind yourself that times have changed - even on the ice. In Top Corner Hockey, a pump-action plunger controller pivots players at the waist, which drives the stick under the puck and blasts it up off the "ice."
7. Remember, if you find yourself overwhelmed ... there's always foosball.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget the old standards - pingpong (or table tennis) and pool - if you've got the room.
• Besides a table, some games require batteries.