And you thought the Rubik’s Cube was challenging.
Back Spin, a newly updated brain teaser puzzle from ThinkFun, will have kids and adults spinning, switching, and strategizing to sink all the colored balls back into their matching spots.
Designed for challenge-seekers ages 8 and up, Back Spin will put your problem-solving skills to the ultimate test. The spinning saucer features six slots on each side, each with a colored ring around the edge. Each slot fits three balls, with one purple ball missing, so the balls can be pushed through the slots one at a time. Players must spin the saucer and move the balls around in the hopes of getting all of the colored balls back to the slot of the same color. Easier said than done—trust me.
Three of the slots are horizontal, while three are vertical. Players will have to put on their thinking caps and figure out how to position the balls appropriately to achieve the desired outcome.
Though this game of back-and-forth stimulates the brain in the same was as puzzles such as the Rubik’s Cube or triangle peg boards, Back Spin is a new, visually stimulating experience, thanks to vibrant colors, rounded edges, and an addictive quality that won’t even be quenched by solving the puzzle. (When I finally completed it after a week of picking it up and putting it back down, I took about 50 pictures to prove my victory, and then immediately jumbled it up to play again).
The game will keep kids well entertained during the summer travel season, but it’s also a great fidget toy for adults to store at their desks. Games like Back Spin help invigorate creative thinking, especially when you are hitting a wall at work, school, or any other project. This puzzle lets you take a step back and focus on something else for a bit, opening your mind up to more intense levels of thinking. Plus, it provides a great sense of accomplishment once complete, instilling confidence in kids and adults alike.
Back Spin offers lots of repeat play. The entire family can pass it around, and every time the balls are jumbled up again, it creates a new challenge. With no loose parts or pieces to get lost, easy-to-learn play, and hours of fun at hand, Back Spin is a must-have game for any puzzle-lover.
