Mindprint Toolbox

Search Results

Please wait...

$29.99

PlaSmart Perplexus Twist

Mindprint Rating

Tags

^21st Century Skills All Ages Game

Skills

Flexible Thinking Working Memory Visual Discrimination Visual Motor Speed Spatial Perception

Mindprint Expert Review

Pros

  • This is a non-electronic toy which draws in children, and those who enjoy it play for long periods of time.
  • Although designed as a single player game, children often play by taking turns trying to complete the puzzle.

Considerations

  • Perplexus TWIST should not be dropped because the tracks will be displaced and the toy can be ruined.
  • The game requires paying close attention to small details so children with visual weaknesses may struggle.
  • Students need to make precise, steady moves to realign the track which may be frustrating for a student with weak motor skills.

Mindprint Expert Review

Like Perplexus Original, Perplexus Twist is an engaging 3­D puzzle logic game. In this version, the player tries to to move a steel ball through a 3-­track maze within a plastic sphere avoiding "cliff hangers", “traps” and “dead ends”. When players hit one of these obstacles, they must realign the tracks by twisting the handles on the top and bottom of the sphere. This version has 30 obstacles from start to finish. This toy is highly recommended to improve concentration, reasoning, eye-­hand coordination, and spatial skills; conversely, it can be frustrating for children with weaknesses in those same skills. It is ideal for a child who has already enjoyed and mastered Perplexus Original and wants a new challenge. For those who enjoy a good visual challenge, this toy is an excellent choice.

Academic Benefits

Improves academic skills

  • Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
  • Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
  • Presents educational concepts accurately
  • Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
  • Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
  • Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
  • Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)

Fun

Engaging for the Mindprint recommended age range

  • Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
  • Visually appealing to children in the target age range
  • Adults would enjoy playing with a child
  • For electronic games, gives positive or encouraging feedback
  • Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
  • Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option

Easy to Use

Understandable for children in the Mindprint recommended age range

  • Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
  • Student should be able to use independently after first use
  • Student graduates to the next level or topic only after meeting a benchmark
  • Can effectively understand and monitor student's progress (email report or in product)
  • Does not require excessive set-up time after first time use
  • Can be fun as a single player game
  • Multi-player game which fosters collaboration or cooperation
  • Well-made for the cost
  • For electronic games, can play without sound
  • For electronic games, allows user to save work
  • For electronic games, voice/sounds are appealing and pronounces words properly
  • Provides options to play in languages other than English/Good for ELL
  • Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
  • Overall - Easy to use

Cognitive Concerns

May not be advisable for students with the following cognitive needs

  • Anxiety
  • Attention
    • Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
  • Spatial Perception
    • Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
  • Visual Discrimination
    • Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
  • Visual Motor Speed
    • Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation

Manufacturer Description

Puzzle fans ages six and up will find a fun challenge with the Perplexus Twist, a three-dimensional puzzle game that exercises eye-hand coordination, dexterity, and spatial reasoning. This marble maze, encased in a 7.5-inch transparent sphere, features three perplexing tracks, 30 obstacles, and many ways from start to finish. With a variety of obstacles and ways to play, Perplexus Twist offers a versatile, travel-friendly option for play.

Perplexus Twist
3D marble maze exercises hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and spatial reasoning. View Larger.
Perplexus Twist
Includes 30 challenging obstacles for single- or multiplayer play.
View Larger.

A 3-D Marble Maze with Multiple Paths

Unlike traditional flat mazes composed of a single path, Perplexus Twist adds the challenge of gravity and obstacles to the gameplay. This three-dimensional maze consists of a 7.5-inch transparent sphere housing colored tracks with 30 challenging barriers. It's up to you to turn, twist, and tilt the sphere to maneuver the small marble from one starting point to one end point.

Easy to Learn, Challenging to Master

Getting started with the Perplexus Twist is easy. Simply roll the marble to the start of track one, two, or three. Then grab the handles and flip, twist, and spin the sphere to move the marble along the path, realign ramps, and create new paths when you run into dead ends or obstacles.

With Perplexus Twist, it's up to you to control the alignment of the tracks. When your marble falls off the track, maneuver it back to beginning. And when you make it to "The Perch," you're ready for another challenging track. Though you can start on any track you'd like, it's recommended that beginners start with track one.

Three Perplexing Tracks with Surprising Obstacles

This brain puzzle features three challenging tracks for you to maneuver. As you move your marble along each track, you'll run into surprising traps, cliffs, and dead ends. Carefully twist the handles to create new paths and navigate through the game's 30 challenging obstacles such as the "The Pincher" and "The Snake Tongue."

Single- or Multiplayer Options

Perplexus Twist offers many fun options for gameplay. Play alone or with a friend in a competitive, multiplayer challenge. Race against an opponent, or beat your own best times.

A Portable, Kid-Friendly Puzzle

Not only is Perplexus Twist entertaining, it also offers a fun way for kids to exercise their dexterity and motor skills. Children and adults alike can practice and help improve hand-eye coordination and spatial skills. At 7.5 inches, Perplexus Twist is also small and sturdy enough for travel.

What's in the Box

Perplexus Twist.

Perplexus Logo
Twist

At a Glance:

  • Marble maze offers a fun, challenging 3D puzzle
  • Twist, turn, and shift the sphere to maneuver the marble
  • Three perplexing tracks and 30 obstacles to master
  • Move the marble through cliffs, dead ends, and traps
  • Sturdy construction and portable size for traveling

Age/Weight Requirements:

  • Ages six and up.