Addictaball

A handheld game devoid of circuitry, sound effects and flashing lights? Here at Firebox, home of high tech gadgetry? Well yes, because despite its low tech spec, Addictaball is the most unputdownable puzzley thing we’ve ever seen.

The concept is simple verging on downright childish, as players must twist, turn and tilt this funky transparent orb in order to guide a little metal ball through the crazy three-dimensional maze of platforms, holes and spirals suspended within.

Maze 1 - Large:

Starting Position		19cm diameter		Amazing close up!

It sounds simple but you’ll be hopelessly hooked after just one go. In fact Addictaball makes playing with conventional brainteasers seem about as entertaining as trying to find one of Susan Boyle’s eyebrows in a binful of Pete Doherty’s chewed toenail clippings. Oh yes, and if big balls aren’t your thing, fear not – there’s also a smaller travel version featuring an equally annoying but subtly different maze.

Maze 2 - Small:

Looks a bit like Mario Galaxy		13cm diameter		Small but complicated!

If all this sounds like a load of oblique spheroids, it is. But try thinking of a decent game that doesn’t involve at least one ball. Besides, it takes serious hand-eye co-ordination to steer your ball through Addictaball’s handily numbered sections (138 sections for the large, 100 for the small). We guarantee you’ll be cursing this unputdownable sphere’s devious nature and pulling faces worthy of a champion gurner in under a minute.

If its popularity here at Firebox HQ is anything to go by, this innocuous ball of fun is going to be the sleeper smash of the season. Like the song (almost) says, ‘Some balls are held for charity and some for fancy dress, but when they’re held for puzzling they’re the balls that I like best.’ Hear hear!