Product Description

There's an understated elegance to Rush Hour, one of the most inspired and intriguing sliding block puzzles we've so far encountered here in the lab at gadgetshop HQ. It's designed to challenge players of all ages, teaching logical progression, problem solving and sequential-thinking skills. And that's just to open the box. This multi award-winning puzzle - and its inventor Nob Yoshigahara - have picked-up no fewer than 21 gongs in the past decade; a surefire testament to its longevity, durability and worldwide appeal. The objective sounds easy in theory. Drive your red car out of the playing grid and escape to freedom. But in order to so, you'll first need to set up the traffic on a game grid to match one of 40 playing cards, then shift all the blocking cars and trucks out of your way. This is more easily said than done, as a clear and transparent set of rules then come into play. To proceed, one simply needs to move one vehicle at a time, in a long sequence of moves designed to free the red car from the logjam and out of the parking lot. All of which will have one scratching one's noggin- and driving one to the web for a solution. Brilliantly infuriating - and infuriatingly brilliant.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62 in Toys & Games
• Brand: Ravensburger
• Model: 5000
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 2.50" h x 9.00" w x 8.00" l, 2.20 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
This captivating game could have been made with London's rush hour in mind. In fact Rush Hour was invented by American games company Binary Arts. In the US it went down a storm, winning various prizes including a national award from Mensa.

The objective of Rush Hour is to move the little red car out of the snarled up traffic gridlock that the game begins with. Rush Hour arrives with 40 challenge cards, which depict various gridlock scenarios to set up your traffic jam to. Use the coloured Troublesome Trucks and Aggravating Autos to reflect the chaos on your particular challenge card. Then all you have to do is move the blocking vehicles up or down on the grid in order to free up the escape route for your own red car. And yet this wonderfully simple concept is enthrallingly more difficult to execute. Who knows, maybe the real London rush hour is easier on the nerves than the Binary Arts version.

The challenge cards themselves offer four different levels of complexity and all solutions are printed on the back.

Yet not only is Rush Hour great fun but it can also boast strong educational benefits, teaching problem solving to children of seven years plus. In the US Rush Hour is used in some primary school maths classes. Even a smart four-year-old will find some reward by trying to replicate the traffic set-up scenario of the challenge cards.

Rush Hour can be enjoyed by one player or various players competing.

Suitable for children from 7 years old and all adults who enjoy an ingenious little challenge.--Victoria Mackenzie

(American Mensa)
Winner of American Mensa "Select" Award

Manufacturer's Description
You are the red car and are stuck in traffic surrounded by four big trucks and eleven other cars. Can you manoeuvre your way through the gridlock to escape the jam? 40 challenge cards guide you from the beginner levels through to expert. This highly addictive game has won over 15 international awards including: Best UK Toy of the Year 1999, Mensa Mind Games Select Award 1997, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 1997. Box Size 23 x 20 x 6.5cm. Manufacturer's recommended age 8 years +.

Customer Reviews

Traffic jam
Bought this for my son for christmas. Thought it might be too difficult for him as he wasn't 5 until end Jan. However after only a little while he could easily do the beginners section! He really enjoys the game and concentrates quite hard whilst doing it! Great game would highly recommend!

A simple concept but great fun
Based on previous reviews I purchased this as a Christmas present for my 9 year old neice and have to agree with previous comments - this is an excellent toy. It had my neice, her parents and myself captivated for hours as we worked through the levels. Highly recommended.

Great fun for the whole family
What a great success this Christmas. A simple idea that kept everyone captivated for hours. This is an excellent educational toy for children, working out the strategy of getting the red car out of the grid by moving other cars really gets them thinking. Easy to set up with varying levels of ability suits everyone. My 8 year old can manage the beginner levels, whilst the expert levels keep the adults guessing for hours! Even my 92 year old nan found this enthralling, playing for ages. For the price this is superb value for money. The game itself is superb, buy it - you will not be disappointed.