What is Perplexus?
Good question. It's a three-dimensional maze puzzle, a labyrinthine obstacle challenge, a sort of marble run in a sphere.
You position a metal ball at the start area, then steer it along a numbered track by rotating the globe in any way necessary to keep the ball on course. You will need to flip, spin, twist, and turn through 360 degrees to reach the finish line. If the ball drops out of play, you need to head back and start again.
Spin Master, who has acquired Perplexus, says it is easy to play, hard to master!
Perplexus 3D maze puzzles are a lot of fun but probably more suitable for older kids than the ages recommended. Spin Master suggests an age range of eight years and up, but some eight-year-olds might struggle to finish the game.
There are three games of increasing difficulty, plus a compact travel version, a special Harry Potter sphere, and a motorized disc maze.
How to Play Perplexus 3D Maze Puzzles
Epic is the most complex Perplexus sphere. This is how to play.
Perplexus Rebel
Perplexus Rebel is the entry-level 3D maze ball from Spinmaster. You will need to negotiate hazards such as the Igloo, Terrible Tube, and Scary Stairs as you steer a ball along a prescribed route without drifting off the track.
Ages: 8 years and up.
Perplexus Beast
Perplexus Beast has over seventeen feet of track in the sphere and 100 obstacles for you to overcome. You need to pass along the Tightrope, the Spiral, and Jester's Curve.
Ages: 8 years and up.
Perplexus Epic
Perplexus Epic has twenty two feet of track and 125 obstacles. You must overcome the challenges of the Serpentine, Launch Ramp and Escher's Stairs to reach the end of the maze.
Ages: 8 years and up.
Perplexus Go! Spiral
Perplexus Go! Spiral is a compact version and a great travel toy. It has thirty-five new obstacles to complete.
Ages: 8 years and up.
Perplexus Harry Potter Prophecy
This Harry Potter Prophecy sphere has 70 challenges to tax your mind and make you wish you had a spell to get you through to the end of the maze. It comes with a three-serpent display stand on which to rest the sphere.
Ages: 8+
Perplexus Revolution Runner
Revolution Runner is a maze puzzle in a disc, not a sphere. It is a motorized puzzle toy that continuously moves, making the obstacles change constantly. There are four speeds to master. Switch mode to a higher speed once you have made it to the center of the sphere at the slowest rate.
Requires 3 x AA batteries.
Ages: 8 years and up.
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