Review - Buckyballs

Players: N/A
Playing Time: Any
Age: 14+ (they aren't kidding about this)
Suggested Retail: $34.95

Tired of desktoys that only do one thing? Puzzled by puzzles that are hard to figure out? Frustrated by magnets that refuse to pull their own weight? Brace yourself, a whole new breed of adult toy is on the way. Featured in Rolling Stone, People Maxim, Esquire Magazine...the world can't stop talking about Buckyballs.

Each set contains 216 powerful Rare Earth magnets that can be shaped, molded, torn apart and snapped together in UNLIMITED WAYS. Make sculptures, puzzles, patterns, shapes, stick stuff to the fridge, invent a new game—trying to find something more useful is useless.

The Goal:

Make as many shapes as possible, and don't waste your whole day playing with them.


The Play:

With 216 small magnets, the play is endless!  Try getting them back into the cube shape they are in when you open the package....not as easy as you may think!


Review:

I love magnetic toys and Buckyballs are right up there at the top of the list.  Personally, I like the Black set (plated in Black Nickel) the best, but the Gold Plated and Silver Plated ones are very nice.  I've spent a lot of time messing around with these and I have found them to be a time killer...maybe too much! 

The magnetic balls are small, very small.  The plastic box above is about 1.5" x 1.5" x 1.5".  I love that a plastic box is included, especially since it is next to impossible to get the magnets back into the perfect cube (which I have yet to accomplish....close, but not perfect).  The box is bigger that the ball-cube so it is possible to just mash the Buckyballs back into the box.


The magnets are a LOT stronger than I was expecting.  You can grab onto a ball and start pulling and the magnets will stay together and pull into a long string.  In fact, my son and I were able to (gently) swing a "rope" of balls like a jump-rope and they did not come apart.  We also found out that the balls can be shaped into all kinds of necklaces, bracelets, ear rings, nose rings, and bling for braces (who knew braces were magnetic?).



Since these magnets are so strong, the packaging is very careful to warn about letting small children anywhere near the magnets.

In fact, to sell Buckyballs retailers have to sign an agreement to not display them near items intended for small children.  Of course, some adults I know might also have a problem with this...you know who you are!

Buckyballs are a GREAT idea for people who love desk toys or magnets or who need something to play with that can keep them entertained for hours.  Overall, I give them a full a 10 out of 10. 

You can buy Buckyballs in our eBay store (www.howlingfungames.com) or by contacting us directly.