Boardgames Australia is very proud to announce the winner of Best International Game for 2009.

Best Children's Game for 2009

Viva Topo!

published by Rio Grande Games

designed by Manfred Ludwig

Run mousey run, the cat is coming! In Viva Topo! you have five mice, and with the smell of cheese in their nostrils, your mice must dash for glory as far as they dare before bolting into a mouse house to dodge the cat that is chasing them! Each mouse house holds some cheese, but the largest lumps are in the furthest mouse houses and that nasty cat is more likely to catch the unfortunate mouse. This is a simple but very exciting game, suitable for ages 4 and up but offering some opportunity to make decisions about what risks to take. The beautiful pieces and artwork make this a game that young and old can enjoy playing.

Here's what the judges said:

"This game looks great, and has just enough strategy to make it interesting. Viva Topo! is very appealing to kids and is fun for adults also. It also works just as well with two players as it does with three or four."

"Viva Topo! brings a 'push your luck' mechanic to children's games, and lets children learn to weigh risks and benefits, while providing plenty of excitement. We found it to be a game that was really enjoyed by all members of the family."

"Kids loved Viva Topo!, but the surprise was that of all the games we tested, this was the most popular of all with the adults, especially with the vet who wanted to save all of the mice!"

"Viva Topo! is a children's game with cute little mice that you are trying to save, but there is also the nasty cat and you get the chance to move the cat and try and gobble up the other players' mice!"

Viva Topo! is for 2-4 players, and really is fun with any number. It is readily available from specialist game shops (see our list of retailers).

The full shortlist of Best Children's Games is here, and especially commended are Giro Galoppo and Whirlpool.