Brio Labyrinth

Often imitated, never surpassed, Brio Labyrinth is the classic ball balancing brainteaser that’s been rocking and rolling since 1946. Even Cliff Richard can’t lay claim to a record like that! But forget about ancient history because this fist-bitingly tense test of dexterity and patience is here at Firebox, and it’s as excruciatingly addictive as ever.

Just in case you’ve been gawping at video games for your entire life (and that’s entirely possible these days), allow us to explain the basic concept. This multi award-winning game consists of a beautifully made solid birch maze sitting inside a box. All you have to do is to guide a steel ball around the maze by tilting the board using the side knobs.

Sounds easy but the maze is peppered with difficult-to-avoid holes and obstacles. Aargh! The closer you get to the goal, the more points you score. It’s as simple as that. Or not, as the case may be.

If all this sounds a bit quaint and old-fashioned, it is. But that will be the last thing on your mangled mind as you struggle to beat your high score for the umpteenth time. We’ve only managed 36 (out of a maximum 60) and we’re experts. Well, we’re quite good. Okay, we’re a bit rubbish. Look, if you can get to 60 you’ve clearly got too much time on your hands!

Brio Labyrinth can be played alone or by several players. Furthest round the maze wins. Top players have even been known to play against the clock using two balls simultaneously. Cripes!

The makers reckon that this enduring classic is perfect for developing motor skills, concentration, perception and reasoning. It probably is but we’ve been too busy begging for one-more-go to worry about all that.