I was trying to think of a way to revive Concentration and make it faster paced, and hopefully, more exciting...
The gameboard has 25 squares like Trebek's version. However, each pair has their OWN 25 square puzzle to solve... which will make sense in a moment...
Two pairs play. One pair starts the first part of the game... A 15 square board is shown, with 7 matching pairs of prizes. The pair has 30 seconds to make as many matches as they can. One calls the first number, and the other calls the next, alternating in the same manner for the full 30 seconds. The prizes they match also correspond to the 25 square gameboard, and those squares where the prizes are hidden are revealed. (So, a maximum 14 of the 25 squares can be revealed.) Any prize they match goes on their side of the board. They try to solve the puzzle, and if they can't, then the other pair plays the next 15 square board in the same manner, then tries to solve THEIR 25 square puzzle. If the pair should solve their puzzle on the first try, then the other pair MUST solve their puzzle on the first try, or the first team gets to play the bonus game.
(Alternatively... this could also be a 2 out of 3 match.)
Another twist: During the course of the 15 square matching round, there's one prize with no match. A button is in front of the pair. If they think they revealed the prize that is a NO MATCH, they hit the button, which grants them an extra 5 seconds in the bonus game. (No extra puzzle piece reveal)
Note: I thought each pair should have their own puzzle, as it would be unfair for the second pair to play off the same puzzle with theoretically most of the board revealed.
Note: With this format, more than 2 puzzles are played per game.
Note: Neither puzzle will be given "freebie" pieces to start, and of course, no wild cards, so this means three pieces will not be revealed.
The bonus game- A gameboard of 50 squares (Double of 25) is shown. This time, dollar figures are hidden and must be matched. The pair has 60 seconds (Plus any bonus time won in the main game), again alternating number calls, to make as many matches as they can. No mini boards... they're playing the 50 square board. If they can solve the bonus puzzle, they win all the cash accumulated.
Thoughts?