Every so often you come across a new game that you just know is likely to change the way people spend their free time.  MindFlex is just that sort of game. 

So what is MindFlex?  It is an interactive game played by using the power of your mind in order to control a small foam ball through a series of obstacles.  Of course, I’m not really suggesting that your mind moves the ball, and neither are the manufacturers.  But what they do claim is that you use your mind — specifically your concentration — to control a small fan, and that fan increases or decreases in speed as you concentrate more or relax more.

The change in fan speed raises or lowers the small foam ball, as a hand control moves the fan (and the ball) around a small table of obstacles.   By increasing the concentration at certain points, the ball will rise.  Move a basketball style hoop under it, and then relax to drop the ball through the hoop. 

All said, there are five game modes in MindFlex:  Freestyle, Mental Marathon, Danger Zone, Chase the Lights and Thoughtshot.  Each provides a different set o

f challenges and goals.

Here’s a review from the folks over at Amazon.com:

MindFlex–featuring a headset that reads your brain waves and a levitating foam ball–is the kind of game that must be seen to be believed. Recommended for players aged eight and older, the game begins when you strap on the headset so you can use your powers of concentration to move the ball around the game console and through a mind-bending obstacle course. A dial-in console lets you to keep the ball lifted on a cushion of air, but raising and lowering the ball must be accomplished by alternating concentrating and relaxing your mind.

Headset Measures your Brain Waves
Tired of games that depend on the roll of a die or lucky draw? With the help of advanced technology, MindFlex introduces a whole new way to play–by using the power of your mind! 

You’ll feel like a character in a science fiction movie as you strap on the headset, connect the clips to your ear lobes, and align the metal forehead sensor just above your left eyebrow. But even this strange accessory won’t prepare you for the sight of a foam ball quivering five inches above the game console!

Move the Ball with the Power of your Mind
Skeptics will be quick to point out that the console’s movable fan nozzle holds the ball aloft on a cushion of air. However, as players learn to alternately focus and relax their minds, the ball will respond by rising and falling. An instruction manual provides various concentration and relaxation techniques to try such as math problems or visualization and practice exercises.

Once you feel like you’ve mastered the art of telekinesis, you can test your mental acuity with five challenging games designed for groups of one to four players. Use the game console to select your game, set the difficulty level, and track your scores.

Design a Mind-Bending Obstacle Course
A variety of hoops, hurdles, funnels, and a teeter-totter can be positioned however you choose on the game console. Players use their minds to move the ball under, over, or through the obstacles. Several games test speed, while another challenges players to lift a ball up and through a funnel, shooting it across the game console to score points.

While MindFlex’s advanced technology is sure to intrigue, mastering the games may prove difficult for some. Because concentration techniques will vary from person to person, the game rewards patience and a willingness to experiment. Fans of mazes and brain teasers will appreciate the mental challenge, and creative types will like designing the obstacle courses.

MindFlex’s game console requires four “C” batteries (not included), and the headset requires three “AAA” batteries (not included). The four foam balls should be handled with care to keep their ability to levitate. Fortunately, the game console features an inner compartment for safe ball storage.

What’s in the Box
Game console, headset, four foam balls, and various obstacles. (Batteries not included.)

—————————————-

I’m not going to lie to you.  This isn’t a cheap game.  And it isn’t for everyone.  It really is a game aimed at ages 8-15.  Younger children have a choking risk due to small parts.  Older kids may not fit comfortably in the headset.

One of the things I like to do before selecting a product to feature here is to see what others have to say about it.  Here is one of the best reviews for it:

Great for My Autistic Son

I pre-ordered this for my autistic son’s 14th birthday and was happy that it arrived before his big day. The biggest praise I can give to this game is that it actually SLOWED MY SON DOWN and kept him in place for more than 5 minutes!!! He was fascinated with it and it instantly had him in tune with his speed, concentration, etc. He says it’s the best gift he’s ever received, and it gave US the gift of time while he actually occupied himself with something for an extended period on his own–thrilling!! He did have a temporary dent in his forehead where the sensor lay, although we checked the headband repeatedly to make sure that it didn’t feel too tight. It would be easy for the components to get lost–we’d suggest putting balls and obstacle pieces into a zip-lock bag and returning everything to its original box each time. I think that a toy that can help special needs kids tap into more awareness of their own space and rhythms is a wonderful thing. 
——————————–

Overall, 40% of reviewers gave MindFlex a 5-star rating, and 67% gave it a 4- or 5-star rating.  That is a great recommendation in my mind!

Order Your MindFlex Today!

FTC Disclosure:  Thing-Finder.com is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and is paid a commission for any sales through this site.  There is no increase in cost to the buyer due to this affiliate sale.  The price is the same as if you bought this product directly from Amazon.

Technorati Tags: clean party fun, family game, Games, kids game, Mattel, mind control, mind game, MindFlex, MindFlex the Game, Toys & Games