GREAT FOR IDLE MINDS. (Brick Game Hp73)

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	Brick Game Hp73
Date:	11/07/06 (210 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good for travel for kids, or for times when kids need entertainment.

Disadvantages: None at all.

To Parents

Have you ever wished you could find that illusive toy that could be sat on, dropped, manhandled, argued over by the kids and survive. Add to this the bonus that the Brick Game costs so little, is easily transported and in fact so cheap that each kid can have their own if you wish, this would seem, in today's fast moving world, to be an ideal solution, when comparing for example with the pricetags on portable gaming machines. At 5.00 Euros (less than three Pounds sterling), this game amazes me.

What it offers.

The Brick Game is small enough to carry easily in the pocket of a car door, even small enough to carry in your handbag. It offers hours of entertainment at an affordable price. 3.5 inches x 7.5 inches, the toy is easily held in the hand and is addictive. The games that it offers are a version of Tetris, in simple layout and in black and white, and a further game for those with more expertise, where the pieces that fall from the top of the screen are more complex. The object of the game is to make complete lines at the bottom of the screen which gain points.

Levels

What I like about the game is the possibility of choosing levels to begin your gaming experience. Here, there are not only 12 different levels of difficulty for each game, but 9 separate speeds !

Buttons

The buttons on the front of the machine are so easy for even the smallest hands. On the right, the thumb fits easily onto the “rotate” button, enabling the player to turn the pieces as they fall. The left thumb works the right and left movement of the pieces, and also the “drop piece” button when the player has put the piece in play into the position required. “Pause” is extremely handy and not at all greedy on battery power, so that I child does not have the excuse that they are in the middle of a game and cannot stop. The on/off button is self explanatory. The most irritating button of the lot is the “Sound” button, and believe me, if you remember the old fashioned Atari games, then the sound on this machine really is similar and retro, and most of the time, I encourage kids to play without sound. The importance of the sound comes into play when trying the Second game option, as you have a piece that is very important, and that can fill in gaps where you have made mistakes. A sound indicates the arrival of this particular feature, although a flashing of the piece in question also gives an indication.

Instructions

The game comes with very easy to follow instructions, though believe me kids will find out how it works in no time at all.

Game itself

The game is quite challenging. You do get a glimpse of the next piece to be played, which is helpful and although I prefer the traditional Game A option with standard “Tetris” style pieces, the Game B option is rather good fun, working the mind into a frenzy as you try to fit difficult shaped pieces into neat rows at the bottom of the screen.

Build

The build of the game is superb. It really has been tested and has come up trumps. The rigid plastic really does stand up to child anger well, and the only part which would stop me letting a very small child use it unaccompanied is the compartment that holds the two AA batteries that it takes to use the game. This is rather easy to open, and I would suggest the use of a strong parcel tape if you are going to let tiny children loose with the game. The youngest kiddy to use mine was 3 years old, and although they could not grasp the concept of the game itself, they were enchanted with the noises that the machine made and could safely bite the edges (which are rounded and not at all sharp).

My experience.

I am getting better. At 54 years old, I love this game. I have taken it in the car when transporting children and it really does keep them amused. Sure, it hasn't got the fancy colours that other games machines have, but it doesn't have a fancy price tag either. Also when visiting people, children get bored with adult conversation, and this little machine has come in so useful. I found, in a beach environment, that storing the machine in a handbag and not leaving the screen exposed to a lot of heat was better, as in excessive heat, the screen does go black, but it's not a thing for parents to worry about since as soon as the machine is back in the shade, it works like new again.

I think its a super game, challenging to child and adult alike, very economic to run and my batteries have lasted me a couple of months and the game is still going strong. I also feel that for parents who are concerned about theft of their child's toys in a holiday environment, the price of this toy means that the worry is far less.

Altogether a total bargain and available at www.Priceminister.com The machine comes with a year's guarantee which at the price offered is a bonus.

Playability : 10/10
Value for money : 10/10

Go for it – both you and the kids will love it.

Rachel

Summary: It's a bargain.