Passion For Puzzles

For people with love and passion for puzzles

 
 
 

Illuminated Rubik's Cube Speaker Video's

Illuminated CubeA few months ago I already wrote an article about the Illuminated Rubik's Cube Speaker System. Just plug this 110 mm-tall (4 inch) decorative puzzle into your iPod and watch the 27 light patterns sparkle to the beat. Or, if silence is your preferred modality, you can simply watch it glow. The speakers will be released only in Japan. Now I found via TechEBlog a link to two video's on You Tube where you can watch and listen to the Illuminated Rubik Cube Speakers. Demo Video #1 [1m08s] , Demo Video #2 [55s] and Demo Video #3 [1m22].

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On Thursday, November 30, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Disney's 3-in-1 mobile puzzle pack

DisneyDisney has just announced the European launch of their 3-in-1 Puzzle Pack for mobile which consists of these classic puzzlers: Solitaire, Sudoku and Mahjong.

Sunil Gunderia, VP of mobile for the Walt Disney Internet Group, Europe, says, "By presenting mobile versions in a bundled package, we hope to appeal to a broader range of mobile phone users who are looking for a fun and easy way to pass the time anytime, anywhere."

So whether you're stuck in the subway or in a boring meeting where no one's obviously paying attention to the speaker, all you have to do is bring out your nifty cellphones, get caught in the addictive puzzle gameplay, and voila! Instant solution for boredom.

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Roman Sudoku

Roman SudokuAt romansudoku dot com you can find another Sudoku variant by Laura Gibbs. As the name already tells you it uses Roman Numerals in stead of our usual numbers. At the website you can also order Roman Sudoku book. The Roman Sudoku book costs US$ 11.95 and contains 40 Roman Sudoku puzzles: 10 very easy puzzles (perfacile), 10 easy puzzles (facile), 10 difficult puzzles (difficile), and 10 very difficult puzzles (perdifficile), with solutions provided. The book is spiral-bound, making it convenient to handle while you are working a puzzle.
More information on how to solve sudoku's are available at our How To Solve A Sudoku page.

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Lego Bricks Puzzle

Lego PuzzleHands-On Mobile (formally mForma) has announced the North American debut of licensed puzzle game Lego Bricks. In Bricks gamers are tasked with the tried and true puzzle set-up - rotate and match colored Lego bricks in vertical and horizontal rows of three or more to make them disappear.

The game is just one aspect of the company's extensive use of the Lego brand, which also includes Lego World Soccer, released in August of this year and developed by Danish mobile studio Kiloo.

Hands-On also noted that it is supporting the product with a cross-medium marketing push that encompasses print, online, transit and outdoor campaigns. The company is also implementing co-marketing programs with the LEGO Group.

"LEGO is a marketer’s dream, having been named 'Toy of the Century' by Fortune and the British Association of Toy Retailers," Paul Baldwin, Vice President of Marketing, Hands-On Mobile said in a statement. "The LEGO brand resonates powerfully with both male and female mobile users and allows us to cast a wide net with our marketing efforts.". Via Gamasutra

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Impulse - Logic Puzzle for Windows

Impulse Logic PuzzleImpulse is a new logic puzzle game from Taparo and is now out and ready to put PC gamers on the edge of the fun kind of frustration. In Impulse, your goal is to hit a target using a ball. Sounds like been there, played that kind of game? Not really. Here's the twist. You must use the principles of gravity to direct the ball through a course filled with many obstacles of different sizes and nature. The path to scoring ranges rom the simple to the deliciously intricate.

You can also make the ball hit your target via an explosion caused by a bomb which you can place anywhere. The bomb has a special timer which you can set. This comes handy when you come across real brain-twisting situations. Impulse has an entire arsenal of bombs to satisfy any game extremist: explosive bombs, implosive bombs, bounce-bombs, and teleporter (which delivers the ball to a specified place.)

Impulse is a tough nut to crack with its eight complex episodes (16 to 24 levels per episode). Download the free trial version of Impulse and see if full version of Impulse (US$ 19.95) is your kind of addiction.

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On Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Build your own Magnetic Cube

Magnetic CubeAt Flickr you can find a photo set from Gary Flixer about his " Rubik's Magnetic Cube Project".

He got the idea after recently picking up some Rubik's Cubes. He thought it might be be able to create a cube out of simple cubes with embedded magnets. He drew up some plans, figured out polarities, and realized that it could actually work. He set about finding some acrylic cubes from Tap Plastics, and some neodymium disc magnets from K&J Magnetics. While they were in shipment, he mocked up a version in Maya - a 3D design program - and read up on the history of the cube.

He learned that Erno Rubik, the cube's inventor actually thought at first he would have to use magnets, before setting his mind to finding a mechanical solution. He also found that in 1982, a company called Moleculon sued Ideal, US distributors of the cube for infringing on their patent from about a decade prior that spoke of something like the Rubik's Cube, and further specified, and thus protected magnetic versions of the idea.

To add the final bit of insult to injury, though his Google searches turned up nothing, a friend managed to find my exact idea for sale in China for a mere $5 US while he spent more than $80 US :)

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On Monday, November 27, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Will Smith solving Rubik's Cube Video

Rubik's CubeTwo days ago I published an item about Will Smith solving Rubik's Cube. Today at Speedcubing dot com I also found a link to a part of the Oprah Winfrey Show (22 Nov 2006) in which Will Smith is guest to talk about his latest movie The Pursuit of Happyness. At around 8m30s Will Smith starts to solve Rubik's Cube. At You Tube there are more parts online of this Oprah Show. Part 1,2 and 3 are about Will Smith and part 4 and 5 is about Chris Gardner the writer of the book "The Pursuit Of Happyness". Every person should watch this because it's inspirational and the movie is very good.

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On Sunday, November 26, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Draw Play Flash Puzzle

Draw PlayAt Rusty Games dot com you can find several flash puzzles. One of them is called Draw Play and is a simple looking puzzle in which you have to guide a small guy to a flag by drawing a path to the flag with your left mouse button. Then you can move your little guy to the flag with the arrow keys. But be aware there are some sharp objects you have to avoid. Simple but lovely game which will keep you puzzled for a while.
If you really like Draw Play you can also play Draw Play 2 online at BubbleBox dot com.

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On Saturday, November 25, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Will Smith dazzles Oprah with his Rubik's Cube skills

Rubik's CubeTalk show queen Oprah Winfrey was completely bedazzled when her celeb guest Will Smith solved a Rubik's Cube puzzle before her very eyes.
Oprah challenged the MIB (Men In Black) actor over the authenticity of his puzzle-solving skills in new movie "The Pursuit Of Happiness". But instead of getting afraid, an eager Smith willingly offered to turn a muddled Rubik's Cube into one with six same-color sides in just two minutes.
As Winfrey cut to commercials, Smith had solved the colorful puzzle when the show returned after the break, leaving the host speechless, but impressed.
In director Gabriele Muccino's 2006 flick, Smith plays the character of Christopher Gardner - a struggling salesman who takes custody of his son, as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

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On Friday, November 24, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Free Slitherlink puzzles

slitherlinkAt Freeware Files.com you can download a freeware version of Slitherlink, one of my favorite puzzles especially when they are hand made by Nikoli. The publisher calls this puzzle Loopy Puzzle although most of the times it is called Slitherlink (also known as fence puzzle , dotty dilemma and loop-the-loop puzzle). This freeware version of Slitherlink has different levels and even the option to create your own Slitherlink Puzzles. Takes just 5 seconds to learn all three rules of slitherlink but it can often get very difficult to see the simple loop needed to win the game. At Passion for Puzzles we give you also some tips to solve Slitherlink puzzles.
You can download your freeware version of Slitherlink at FreewareFiles.com.

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On Thursday, November 23, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

SuDoku Dragon Gems Christmas Edition

SuDoku Dragon Gems Christmas EditionThe next installment in the SuDoku Dragon Gems series that features even more numeric puzzles of increasing difficulty with an all new look Christmas theme. Can you become a SuDoku Dragon Gems Master?… Only the best will succeed. Try to complete 25 numeric SuDoku puzzles that span Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels that are a match for all levels of SuDoku player. More information at www.Souluna.com

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On Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Puzzle Scape

Passion for PuzzlesPuzzle Scape is an action block busting game for the PSP system where players arrange blocks of different colors into chains that are exploded by 2x2 same colored blocks. Eliminating the blocks creates level-ups and the player can gather a variety of power-ups by creating long chains. Level-ups introduce new elements into visually amazing background landscapes.

Puzzle Scape features several Single and Multiplayer modes. In Architect Mode, the player tries to build objectives as fast as possible, and in Artist Mode, the goal is to play for survival and high score. In Artist Mode, the scenery is built according to how gamers play Puzzle Scape, while the Architect Mode has pre-defined objectives. Both single player-modes can be played in cooperation or in Duel mode over wireless connection. The game also features up to eight-player multiplayer fun in Bomb Run mode, where each player plays the same scene trying to be the first to destroy enough blocks to win the game. In addition, Puzzle Scape enables players to send the demo of the game to a friend. Via www.ing.com

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Solve Rubik's Cube in 5 easy steps

Rubik's CubeAt MetaCafe you can watch a six minutes video explaining how you can solve Rubik's Cube in 5 steps (or as they call it layers). There are no clever tricks. When you break the solution into these five layers, it will help you to solve Rubik's Cube quicker than any other trick.

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Zen Puzzle Garden Game

Zen Puzzle Garden GameZen Puzzle Garden is a puzzle game inspired by the beauty and simplicity of Japanese rock gardens. Help guide a little monk who must rake all of the sand in each garden without raking himself into a corner. There are 64 challenging puzzle gardens that you can play and solve in any order, or design and play your own gardens! With a stunning Japanese atmosphere and stimulating puzzles, Zen Puzzle Garden will have you mesmerized for hours!
You can download a trail version of Zen Puzzle Garden Game at Inril Games.
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On Monday, November 20, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Online Puzzle Shop

Passion for Puzzle - womanFrom now you can find direct your favorite puzzle toy, puzzle book and even your puzzle game or a present for a friend. Via our on line puzzle shop in association with Amazon.com you can choose from a large collection of puzzle items from a well known company. Your order handling will be done completely by Amazon and you will support Passion for puzzles while we get a small percentage which we will use to extend our puzzle collection. Please note that all this will not effect the price your will pay for the products you buy at Amazon. You can find Passion for Puzzles on line puzzle shop here or via the menu on the left side.

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On Sunday, November 19, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Wine Rack Puzzle

Wine PuzzleStoring all your deliciously quaffable wine isn't easy if you haven't got a cellar. And we're talking about a proper wine cellar, not some dank space under the stairs filled with paint cans and old bags of cement. So unless you live in a French chateau the obvious solution is a wine rack, because as well as holding your fermented bottles, a rack is the ideal way to show off your magnificent collection when friends come visiting.

Problem is, pine racks and twisty metal affairs are more boring than cheapo Liebfraumilch. Step forward the amazingly funky Puzzle Wine Rack, a stunningly smart modular storage system that renders old-style racks utterly obsolete.

Injection-molded in tough transparent ABS polymer, the Puzzle's ingenious modular design means that several units can be slotted together in endless configurations, both horizontally and vertically. Each rack holds nine bottles, but link them together and the sky's the limit. If you're a real wine freak you could construct an entire wall of Puzzle racks. And thanks to the nifty interlocking design, multiple Puzzles can be arranged to fit into awkward spaces.

Created by award-winning designer Gideon Dagan, the Puzzle has been causing a kerfuffle at various design shows around the US. And that's hardly surprising as it really is an aesthetically striking bottle-stacker. And because it's modular you won't have to spoil your surfaces with excess bottles - simply purchase a few more Puzzles and get creative linking them together.

Available in two classy colors (Cognac Amber and Noire Smoke), the Puzzle Wine Rack (dimensions 50x50x12cm) is destined to become a design classic and available at FireBox for GBP 35.

Via Random Good Stuff

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On Saturday, November 18, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Rubik's Cube Cartoon from the 80's

Rubik's CubeVia IZ Reloaded Blog I found a link to an intro cartoon for Rubik's Cube from the eighties on You Tube. In this 40 seconds Rubik's Cube cartoon three Latino kids have adventures with a Rubik's Cube.

You can watch the Rubik's Cube Commercial via YouTube.

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Rubik's Cube Clock

rubik's cube clockBy the time the Rubik's Cube had passed critical mass in the early 80s, it had sold a total of 250 million units worldwide. The mania crested nearly two decades ago but the recognizable toy is still being sold and licenses are still being granted for products based on the best-selling puzzle. Banpresto hooks onto the Rubik franchise and plans two wall clocks which feature Rubik's Cube designs. The first clock sports yellow, red, blue, and white colors with the Rubik's Cube logo slightly off-center. The second clock shows a Cube in mid-twist with the logo on the right side of the clock. (via HipHip)

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Rubik's Cube Cushion

rubik's cushionIn 1974, Erno Rubik invented the contraption that would eventually become known as the Rubik's Cube. The toy consisted of twenty-seven miniature cubes which made up the Cube in a 3x3x3 array. Although few players would ever solve the puzzle with its 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible combinations, the Rubik's Cube went on to sell a hundred million units to a worldwide audience in the early 80's.

In the ensuing decades, the Rubik's Cube craze faded although it still sells roughly half a million units per annum. To recapture some of that old time magic, Banpresto releases a Rubik's cushion which measures 30cm square. Purchase three cushions and create a Cube worthy of any Rubik fanatics living room for US$ 25. (via HipHip)

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BSG Sudoku Game for Girls

BSG SudokuSudoku is for all ages, but now Sudoku is also used to help girls aged between 9 and 13. A brand called The Beacon Street Girls (BSG) uses Sudoku and as one of their activities to be committed to the health and well being of girls between nine and thirteen. The mission of the BSG company is to provide the kind of positive role models and empowering messages that help girls believe in themselves whatever their challenges. This is supported by a website where girls can play puzzles like Sudoku. At passion for puzzle we will help them with a few tips to solve Sudoku Puzzles.

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On Friday, November 17, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Cyberbox Flash Puzzle Game

CyberboxAt Lightforce Games you can find a lot of flash puzzles all by Nick Kouvaris. One of them is I puzzle I like very much. CyberBox is a puzzle game of thinking ahead. There are seventeen levels (called rooms) for you to solve. The object of each room is simply to get to the exit. The exit is the passageway located above the very top center tile. Once you reach the exit of a room you immediately enter next room. Each room is simply a 15x10 layout of boxes and blank spaces. There are several different kinds of boxes. Cyberbox looks a little bit like Rush Hour. Luckily with Cyberbox you can move some boxes in 4 directions.

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Text Sudoku Puzzles Game in the UK

SudokuA text Sudoku game has been launched, allowing users to complete puzzles by texting missing numbers to a shortcode number.
The game has been released by The Times newspaper and mobile and wireless services company Divine. Puzzles are printed in the newspaper and players can text in the numbers to solve the puzzle.
It costs £1 to play. The game will run indefinitely and there is a chance to win £1000 everyday.
Mobile Operator O2 Active released a Suduko puzzle service in August this year which allows users to download suduko games to their handset for 50p.

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Mobile Puzzle Game Glyph

glyphSave the dying world of Kuros by reassembling ancient glyphs hidden beneath layers of rock and glistening stones. Clear groups of like-colored gemstones to break through the layers of rock and reveal the glyphs. Several different types of powerup will aid you in your task. Progress through 5 elemental areas and 125 levels to complete Quest mode, or explore the simpler challenge of over 100 levels in Action mode.
Glyph for Palm OS and Windows Mobile is based upon the highly-acclaimed PC game from Sandlot Games. With its beautiful graphics, ethereal soundtrack and atmospheric sound effects, Glyph is the perfect game to enjoy through the Holiday Season and into the New Year.
You can pre-order Glyph at Astraware.

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On Thursday, November 16, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Personalized Rubik's Cube

rubik's cube photoAre you looking for your personalized Rubik's Cube? Then this special frame can display one photo per each side of the cube, making a total of 6 different photos in one product. Each photo is split into nine separate squares that measure 2 cm each so the photo can become a bit irregular, but that is just a small detail right?

The Photo Rubik's Cube comes in black and you must provide six digital photos that will afterwards become part of the cube mania. The personalized Rubik's Cube will cost you US$26 at PersonalizationMall and will only be delivered in the US (via Uber-Review)


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Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan

Kotoba no Puzzle MojipittanNamco's Scrabble clone 'Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan' is already released in the arcades as well as for PS2 and GBA, it was a launch title for the PSP and even had a Xenosaga version, Xenopittan, included in the awesome Xenosaga Freaks variety game. Like Scrabble the game is about using tiles to form words, but with added specific goals like "fill every square" or "make 10 three-letter words in one minute" and a sweet combo system. In addition to being able to use the touch-screen (which should be a huge bonus), Mojipittan DS adds a "picture book" mode into the mix: essentially a touch-screen encyclopedia of miscellaneous information. After completing a level shaped like a cocktail glass, for example, players will receive a picture book of cocktails that, when individually touched, will display relevant information on the top screen. Even Mojipittan is trying to make you smarter these days.

Via Pocketgamer

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On Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Extreme Sudoku for Dummies

Extreme Sudoku for DummiesAfter three editions of Sudoku for Dummies, there is now Extreme Sudoku for Dummies available at Dummies.com. It will teach you to complete a killer puzzle in 85 minutes or less!
You can test your skills against some of the most deviously difficult puzzles ever devised.
Inside the book you'll find 236 of the trickiest, most demanding puzzles ever published, including several unusual variations like the normal 9x9 puzzles, 12x12 puzzles, 16x16 puzzles, Vanquish jigsaw Sudoku, Conquer killer Sudoku and Master circular puzzles.
It also describes different techniques for solve Sudoku puzzles like Naked Pairs, Naked Triplets, Hidden Pairs, Hidden Triplets, Moving On with Intersection Removal, Xs and Ys, X-Wings, Chains, and Rectangles, The X-Wing Family, Swordfish, Linking Up the Chains, Y-Wing, XY Chains and Unique Rectangles. If this is already too much for you please read our basic hints and tips to solve Sudoku Puzzles.
Extreme Sudoku for dummies contains 360 pages and costs $ 9.99

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On Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Hexagram Puzzle

Hexagram PuzzleHexagram is in difficult Java puzzle. It is a tiling puzzle with 19 mathematically derived patterns. You have to place 19 black and white colored hexagram shaped tiles into a grid. After placing a tile you can rotate them to get the match you want. Don't give up to fast, and you will be able to solve this puzzle. Only downside is that it won't work with Firefox.
At the games page of Eric Solomon you can find more lovely on-line Java Puzzle games.

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On Monday, November 13, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Macdoku for Free

MacDokuVia Digg I found Macdoku which is a free and open source sudoku puzzle generator, solver, and assistant. With Macdoku, you can easily manage the possibilities available to each square. The three main possibility constraints are updated live as you type, and other possibilities can be managed in elimination mode. Highlighting of squares with one remaining possibility can be toggled on and off. Pressing TAB will now automatically fill in all such solved squares. It uses qqwing to generate new puzzles with various levels of difficulty, and sudoku-solver-in-c as its solving engine.

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On Sunday, November 12, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Puzzle Scape for PSP

Puzzle ScapeIt looks like another puzzle game will soon be debuting on the PlayStation Portable. Puzzle Scape, being published by O~3 Entertainment and developed by Farmind Ltd, is scheduled for release next month. Here are notes about this new title from the press release.

"Players arrange blocks of different colors into chains that are exploded by 2x2 same colored blocks. Eliminating the blocks creates level-ups and the player can gather a variety of power-ups by creating long chains. Level-ups introduce new elements into visually amazing background landscapes.

Game mode defines the rules of the game. In architect mode, the player tries to build objectives as fast as possible, and in artist mode, the goal is to play for survival and high score. In artist mode, the scenery is built according to how gamers play "Puzzle Scape", while the architect mode has pre-defined objectives.

There are four different themes: cells, flowers, machines and dreams. Both single player-modes can be played in cooperation or in Duel mode over wireless connection. "Puzzle Scape" also features up to eight -player multiplayer fun in Bomb Run mode, where each player plays the same scene trying to be the first to destroy enough blocks to win the game. In addition, "Puzzle Scape" enables players to send the demo of the game to a friend."

Via PSP world

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On Friday, November 10, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Brain Buster Puzzle Pak for Nintendo

Puzzle FlowerAgetec, Inc. announce the upcoming Brain Buster Puzzle Pak for the Nintendo DS, featuring the latest and most challenging Japanese mind games including Sudoku and Kakuro. The release is scheduled for February 2007, the Brain Buster Puzzle Pak will provide abundant challenges for novices and experts alike with a deep selection of added bonus materials.

Brain BusterPuzzle Pak features hundreds of puzzles ranging from the hugely popular Sudoku to the latest craze in Japan, Kakuro. Also included are the uniquely challenging and innovative games Light Up, Nurikabe, and Slitherlink. These puzzles have all been created in conjunction with Nikoli, the leading puzzle creators in Japan.

Along with the straightforward puzzles in Brain Buster Puzzle Pak, there will be added bonuses that can be unlocked as players enjoy solving the mind benders. For example, various monsters and asteroids distract you as you work on puzzle, but by removing them you earn special hints, adding to the fun factor. Wallpapers also become available after completing certain puzzle problems which can then be used to change the background graphic of each game.

Via Go Nintendo

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On Thursday, November 09, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Beta Testers Wanted for New Puzzle Game

GameZeboBe first to beta test a new puzzle game. You can register at GameZebo. They can't tell what it is (yet), but they can say that it's a puzzle game from the developers of Teddy Factory and the Ancient Tripeaks series. By joining the Beta Test Program, you can share your opinion directly with game developers. And as an extra bonus, the developer will pick 10 people to win a full version of the game when it is released!

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150 Free Puzzles

Puzzle womanVia Link Grabber I found a 136 page pdf-file with 150 puzzles and they vary from simple ones to the more difficult ones. They are interesting even for those who are not skilled in maths, including solutions. The puzzles are written by Shakuntala Devi the world famous mathematical genius from India. She is a self taught prodigy who never had any formal education. She is also known as the human computer.
It is a book of puzzles, and the puzzles in this book are interesting and will involve the reader while solving them. The puzzles are short in length but will force you to exercise your brain, and use your logical skills. The puzzles are of a wide range from the modern ones to those from an ancient text.
All together, a good book with which one can pass some time, trying these puzzles. Maybe you need to download WinRAR to unzip the pdf-file.

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On Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Rubik's Cube Quiz

Rubik's CubeVia speedcubing I found a Rubik's Cube Quiz with 10 question. At my first attempt I answered seven questions correct (okay question four is outdated). If you are a real Rubik's Cube lover you probably score better than me. Good Luck !

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Mathematician creates world's hardest sudoku puzzle

SudokuA Finnish mathematician on Monday claimed he had created the world's hardest sudoku puzzle, a brain-teaser that required three months' work and a billion combinations to produce.

"AI Escargot is the most difficult sudoku puzzle known so far," the puzzle's 37-year-old creator and applied mathematician Arto Inkala said.

"I called the puzzle AI Escargot, because it looks like a snail. Solving it is like an intellectual culinary pleasure. AI are my initials," Inkala added. According to a rating published on a sudoku website, AI Escargot claims the top spot for sudoku's most baffling puzzles.

Escargot demands those tackling it to consider eight casual relationships simultaneously while the most complicated variants attempted by the general public only require people to think of one or two combinations at any one time, Inkala said.

AI Escargot has, however, been solved by sudoku experts but its creator has promised to produce more challenging versions, as with Escargot, with the aid of computers.

Via Mail & Guardian Online

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On Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Bronze Metal Cube Puzzle Sculpture

Maxton's Metal PuzzlesIn a previous article I already wrote about Maxton's Metal Puzzles. Now at eBay you can bid at a Bronze Metal Cube Puzzle Sculpture from Maxton (also known as Mini-Conundrum). The Metal Cube consist of 17 elements composed of Brass, Copper, Magnesium, Bronze and Aluminum; only exterior faces have beveled edges and brushed finish. The Mini-Conundrum forms a 2" metal cube weighing approx 2.5 pounds! This is a limited edition; each sculpture is dated and numbered. A certificate of authenticity is included with each sculpture. The sculpture is shipped fully assembled.

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Justin Thyme

Justin ThymeJUSTIN THYME is one in a googolplex! After all, how many books proclaim that their author is yet to be born ... or have a title that reads exactly the same when it’s turned upside-down?

Even the title character is a world away from the clichéd under-dog orphan of standard kid lit; Justin is a self-made billionaire living in a castle overlooking Loch Ness. The day he turns thirteen he sets about converting his vintage motorbike into a time machine, little realising the strange sequence of events this will trigger. (Think "Monarch of the Glen" meets "Back to the Future").

Using a lifetime's experience devising complex picture-puzzle books, author Panama Oxridge has created a baffling whodunit with a cast of quirky suspects, including: a gender-ambiguous cook, a mercurial Scottish laird, an ex-royal butler and a computer-literate gorilla. Cunning clues are concealed amongst shoals of red herrings – and all the evidence is illustrated, allowing the reader to examine it for themselves. It's a novel wrapped in an enigma and disguised as a mystery. Can you solve it ... just in time?

Justin Thyme available at Amazon.co.uk. Hardback ISBN: 0 9553570 0 4 - £12.99 – for ages 9-13.

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PS3 Rubik's Cube Commercial

Rubik's CubeVia Kotuka.com I found the new commercial from PS3. They use an eighties icon (Rubik's Cube) to promote their latest 21st century PS3. You can watch the commercial at YouTube. Nice commercial though.

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On Monday, November 06, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Daily Nummix Puzzle

nummixLast week I also received an email from Dirk about Nummix. This is a digital safe where you have to crack the code. Based on equation you have to try to crack a six digit code. You can ask for hints one by one. Daily there will be a new Nummix puzzle to crack.

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Trigon Puzzles

Trigon PuzzlesDue to problems with Blogger I could not post any new post. Problems are solved right now and probably I will also move to another blog program independent of any host.

Last week I received an e-mail about a Sudoku look-a-like, called Trigon Puzzles. Trigon is a set of triangular domino's is put together in various shapes and sizes. There is a number on each side of the triangle and a central number which is the sum of the side numbers. Where two sides meet, the number is the same. To save writing the number twice a gap is left in the sides. The problem is that you are only presented with the central number and you have to use logic to determine the side numbers. Enjoy !

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Puzzle Land 1.0

Puzzle Land screenshotPuzzle Land is a remake of the Gameboy game Daedalian opus also known as puzzle road in Japan. The game play and levels are the same but the graphics, music sounds have changed. It's a puzzle game with 36 levels, in each level you'll get a number of blocks and with these blocks you'll have to try to create a pre-defined shape. In later levels you'll have more blocks to your disposal and the difficulty will increase. You can easily spend 30 minutes on one puzzle. You can download Puzzle Land 1.0 at FreshFolder.

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On Thursday, November 02, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

Impossibottle - puzzles in a bottle

Puzzle WomanToday I received an email from Merlin Dunlop about a website with a lot of information about impossible puzzles including a lot of pictures of different kind of impossible puzzles. Most impossible puzzle consist of a object within a bottle, the only question is: how did it get in and how will I get it out of the bottle. I will already tell you that Merlin will not uncover the way how to make such a bottle puzzle ;-)

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On Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - Comments : 0
 
 

First Sudoku Guiness record?

SudokuIn Vancouver (Canada) Joe Defries will try to solve puzzles on a game board that's 450 feet long and three feet wide (150 meter x 1 meter). He's going for the Sudoku record for the Guiness people. There is no official record holder for this one yet.
He will work at the puzzle for a minimum of 24 hours this Sunday the 5th of September, raising money for B.C. Children's Hospital at the same time. Joe Defries is already in the Guiness Book of World Records for solo handbells. He rang them for 28 hours and 50 minutes.

Via News1130

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