April 2022 Update Preview

Lock Box is a sequential discovery puzzle box. Its simple appearance hides a very complex mechanical mechanism that requires multiple discoveries to open. No gravity moves, spinning, tapping, banging or force is necessary or allowed.

I think this is one of my best designs to date. Multiple steps and discoveries are required, with knowledge of the mechanism coming in stages until the box finally opens to reveal its prize.

We sourced a very rare plank of Claro Walnut for this edition of Lock Box. Claro walnut trees are a blend of species, created by grafting an English walnut to either black walnut or a California walnut. Claro is a Spanish word meaning clear or bright, and this is used to identify the wood cut from the bole of walnut orchard trees.

This is also our first puzzle that incorporates precision-milled metal components combined with fine woodworking. The shining aluminum key shaft really stands out against the intricate visual texture of the wood.

40 copies are available for this release, each signed and dated. This release will be split between our April and May updates, with the remaining estimated 100 copies to follow in May. This puzzle is shipped assembled.

After months of design, prototyping, and several delays, we have finalized our first coin release puzzle, "Pennytentiary." To solve this sequential discovery puzzle, you must release the penny trapped inside.

Pennytentiary's complexity and depth rival that of our trickiest puzzle boxes. The solution is very challenging, with multiple "aha" moments to be found. Success relies upon the discovery and use of various tools to execute more than dozen confounding moves. No force, tapping, banging, or dexterity is required. Pennytentiary ships in an unsolved configuration.

Thanks to Five Sinatras for an excellent blog post on Pennytentiary!

Frederic Boucher designs some of the most unique puzzles around. His work often surprises and confounds even the most experienced solver. Anti-Gravity Box+ is no exception. This brilliant packing puzzle stands alone in both concept and creativity.

We long-delayed production of AGB+ due to the complexity of prototyping and manufacture. The construction of this seemingly straightforward puzzle was, in fact, quite difficult, requiring many days of prototyping and calibration.

The goal of AGB+ is to pack six bars into the box using only the two cutouts in the front and side of the box. However, there are rules: the box must be kept on a flat surface while solving. You may not move a piece with anything other than another piece. The pieces are complex, containing embedded magnets in various locations, polarities, and strengths. We include two sets of pieces, the first with two solutions and the second (marked with an inlaid circle) featuring a unique solution.

No force, tapping, banging, or dexterity is required. The box features a removable acrylic top to allow trial and error and facilitate quick reset between attempts.

Both FiveSinatras and JL Puzzles have previously reviewed this puzzle.

This is the second half of the split release batch from April.

Three Cubes by Kohno Ichiro is an award-winning design placed in the top 10 2018 IPP Design Competition results. This pocket-sized puzzle is a ton of fun and remains a favorite. With only three identical pieces, this seemingly simple assembly puzzle may keep you busy for longer than you expect. The goal is to combine the pieces to create a stable assembly forming three distinct, equal-sized cubes. Complicating this task is the polarity of the powerful magnets embedded into pieces.

Once solved, the puzzle snaps into shape, resulting in a beautiful and entertaining fidget toy. Three cubes were only the beginning; Mr. Ichiro subsequently designed the Four Cubes and Five Cubes to create a set, with each puzzle escalating in difficulty.

Mr. Puzzle posted a great video review of Three Cubes.

This batch of Three Cubes was constructed from striking planks of Padauk. Approximately 101 copies are available. Three Cubes ships in an unsolved configuration.

Four Cubes is Kohno Ichiro's follow-up to the brilliant Three Cubes puzzle. This sequel puzzle features two pairs of identically shaped pieces embedded with magnets similar to Three Cubes. The goal is to combine the elements to create a stable assembly forming four distinct, equal-sized cubes, each connected to the neighboring cube with no more than a half-face. Despite having two possible solutions, Four Cubes is a step up in difficulty. A secondary challenge is possible: find a solution that creates two bars of equal length.

Once solved, the puzzle snaps into shape, resulting in a beautiful and entertaining fidget toy. Four Cubes belong to a set, including the Three Cubes and Five Cubes puzzles. Each escalates in difficulty.

This batch of Four Cubes was constructed from nicely figured Bubinga lumber. Approximately 60 copies are available. Four Cubes ships in an unsolved configuration.

Five Cubes by Kohno Ichiro is the final and trickiest iteration of his brilliant concept. By careful use of magnetic polarity, the pieces are dissimilar despite their appearance. The goal is again to assemble the pieces into a symmetrical shape of five distinct, equal-sized cubes with none of the cubes overlapping their neighbor by more than one-half cube. All magnets must be engaged for the final shape to be stable.

Once solved, the puzzle snaps into place, resulting in a beautiful and entertaining fidget toy. Five Cubes belongs to a set including the Three Cubes and Four Cubes puzzles. Each escalates in difficulty.

This batch of Five Cubes was constructed from a nicely figured plank of Leopardwood lumber. Approximately 54 copies are available. Five Cubes ships in the unsolved configuration.

House of the Dragon is a new form of intellectual logic game designed to replicate the story and scenarios of EscapeWelt escape rooms. Experience the exploration and tension of an escape room from the comfort of your own home.

Expertly crafted from precision-cut birch wood, House of the Dragon is an environmentally friendly product. Wood is carefully selected, sorted, and treated for production and assembled by hand. Playtime is estimated at 60-90 minutes. Once the box is solved, the internal space measures 2.75" x 2" x 1.7".

House of the Dragon is shipped unsolved, with an informative insert that provides the backstory behind the puzzle and a URL for hints should you need them.

This puzzle is one of four EscapeWelt puzzle boxes we carry. You may also be interested in Space Box, Quest Pyramide, and Fort Knox. We offer a bundle discount on the purchase of any combination of three; enter the following code during checkout to apply to your order: EscapeWelt Bundle

Space Box is a new form of intellectual logic game designed to replicate the story and scenarios of EscapeWelt escape rooms. Experience the exploration and tension of an escape room from the comfort of your own home.

Expertly crafted from precision-cut birch wood, Space Box is an environmentally friendly product. Wood is carefully selected, sorted, and treated for production and assembled by hand. Playtime is estimated at 60-90 minutes. Once the box is solved, the internal space measures 2" x 2" x 2.3".

Space Box is shipped unsolved, with an informative insert that provides the backstory behind the puzzle and a URL for hints should you need them.

This puzzle is one of four EscapeWelt puzzle boxes we carry. You may also be interested in House of the Dragon, Quest Pyramide, and Fort Knox. We offer a bundle discount on the purchase of any combination of three; enter the following code during checkout to apply to your order: EscapeWelt Bundle

Quest Pyramide is a new form of intellectual logic game designed to replicate the story and scenarios of EscapeWelt escape rooms. Experience the exploration and tension of an escape room from the comfort of your own home.

Expertly crafted from precision-cut birch wood, Quest Pyramide is an environmentally friendly product. Wood is carefully selected, sorted, and treated for production and assembled by hand. Playtime is estimated at 60-90 minutes. Once the box is solved, the internal space measures 2" x 2" x 2".

Quest Pyramide is shipped unsolved, with an informative insert that provides the backstory behind the puzzle and a URL for hints should you need them.

This puzzle is one of four EscapeWelt puzzle boxes we carry. You may also be interested in House of the Dragon, Space Box, and Fort Knox. We offer a bundle discount on the purchase of any combination of three; enter the following code during checkout to apply to your order: EscapeWelt Bundle

Fort Knox is a new form of intellectual logic game designed to replicate the story and scenarios of EscapeWelt escape rooms. Experience the exploration and tension of an escape room from the comfort of your own home.

Expertly crafted from precision-cut birch wood, Fort Knox is an environmentally friendly product. Wood is carefully selected, sorted, and treated for production and assembled by hand. Playtime is estimated at 60-90 minutes. Once the box is solved, the internal space measures 3.5" x 3.5" x 1.5".

Fort Knox is shipped unsolved, with an informative insert that provides the backstory behind the puzzle and a URL for hints should you need them.

This puzzle is one of four EscapeWelt puzzle boxes we carry. You may also be interested in House of the Dragon, Space Box, and Quest Pyramide. We offer a bundle discount on the purchase of any combination of three; enter the following code during checkout to apply to your order: EscapeWelt Bundle

Hanayama started in the mid-1930s as a manufacturer and retailer of traditional games, indoor pursuits, and other toys, and from the very beginning has placed a great emphasis on creative ideas and good quality. More than eighty years later, Hanayama continues to make puzzles that are guaranteed to be fun and interesting amusements for people of all ages, whether it's with one of their cast metal puzzles available in six difficulty levels, or a beautiful chess piece with a coin hidden inside.

We are now carrying an assortment of more than 20 different designs and challenge levels from this varied collection of fun, affordable, and attractive metal puzzles.