Marbles: The Brain Store

Generally speaking, we’re not a fan of sequels. Really, did the world need The Next Karate Kid or Speed 2? But in the case of Pentago, we’re big fans of the multi-player version. First, Pentago Multi-Player allows for up to four players. Second, it ups the ante from four quadrants to nine moveable sections. Which, according to our staff mathematical geniuses, makes the infinite possibilities of the original Pentago even more infiniter. Yeah, we know that’s not really a word. But it should be. The object of the game remains the same: use your planning and visualization skills to be the first to get five like-colored marbles in a row.

This handsome little devil is one of those rare abstract strategy games that can be played with either two or four players. Kind of like the smarter, better-looking sibling of ticktacktoe, Quixo Classic has 25 wooden cubes that shift up, down, left and right. The object of the game is to line up five of your symbols diagonally, vertically or horizontally. With each turn, a player removes a cube from the board and puts it elsewhere on the periphery, which might bring you closer to, or further from, victory. Win or lose, this Mensa award winner will boost your planning and critical thinking skills.

We know Paddleball is kind of old school. That’s what makes it totally cool. And it turns out that this game of yesteryear cranks up hand-eye coordination, boosts reaction times and generally does the brain good. So it’s no wonder it’s been around for so long. This modern take on the nostalgic game boasts a simple string adjustment and ergonomic handle that enable some crazy cool tricks and prove that this is not your grandfather’s Paddleball. But we’re pretty sure he still might be able to teach you a trick or two, so we highly recommend an inter-generational Paddleball tourney.

Two things make a maze addictive. First, it has to be challenging enough to hold your interest. And second, it has to be possible to solve so you can experience the thrill of victory (and not go completely mad.) Perplexus Epic meets both criteria. This 3-D labyrinth challenges players to carefully flip, shift and twist a transparent sphere as they try to maneuver a small marble around 125 barriers. Perplexus Epic will entertain both children and adults alike as they think in 360 degrees, exercise their fine motor skills and improve hand-eye coordination.