Customer Reviews

Merlin Electronic Puzzle Game

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm 35 & had this electronic game (and still do) when I was a kid. I loved this game & it kept me busy for hours. You can play music, tic-tac-toe, Blackjack against the computer or others, and many other games. It doesn't compare to a Game Boy Adv of course, but it's still a fun electronic game!! Simple even for the little ones!!

I got my Merlin when they first came out. I still have it, and it still works almost 30 years later. As a teacher, I believe it does have educational value. It helps children improve their logical thinking, eye hand coordination and memory skills. I am of the original video game generation (Pong, Atari, etc) and still enjoy my Game Cube and Wii. However nothing beats some of the original hand held games, and this is one of my favorites. I am getting them for my niece and nephews so they will leave mine alone. They enjoy my Merlin and yes, they are avid players of Nintendo DS.

My 7 year old daughter has as much fun with the Merlin Electronic Puzzle Game as I did when I was a kid. Everyone loves to play Tic Tac Toe against Merlin, even Pa-Paw enjoys playing Merlin. I love that it helps my daughter with simple addition when playing Blackjack against Merlin. It also teaches her some logic and deduction in the puzzle games. Also, she really has to pay attention and listen to play the game where you repeat the note patterns. I feel alot better paying this amount of money for an educational electronic game than paying a hundred or two or three hundred dollars for an electronic game that will likely be obsolete in 30 years. Merlin is so cool!

I bought mine at a thrift store for five bucks, took it home, and enjoyed the game instantly due to the demo batteries it comes with. It appears that Merlin is one of few toys you could get at any price and you'd still be happy with what you bought. Just a few complaints:

-Blackjack 13 isn't exactly random: whenever I got the 10 and Merlin got a number 1-4, I'd always stand on 10, and Merlin "made sure" the game ended in a tie by accumulating all 4 numbers 1-4.
-Playing Mindbender with any digit quantity higher than 5 is impossible; make maybe 6 digits as the limit.
-For Music Machine, 48 beats is not enough with most songs since you have to include rests in most melodies. If the limit were somewhere between 72 and 96, I'd be much happier.

Everything else, like Merlin's PERFECT A.I. in Tic Tac Toe, is a great addition to an already strong concept; it makes the player feel challenged. I also like how the game is shaped like a cordless telephone: very sleek and clever. Perfect for travel, just muffle the speaker when you need to. So worth $13, if that's what you have to pay.

I used to have one of these as a kid and it was much bigger so when I got this one I was set back a bit. Plus the buttons where different too. Well after playing with it and my entire family I don't think the size or the different style buttons matter. The game is awesome. I always like it and my kids do too.

Bought this as a present for my sister for Christmas. We used to fight over the original game when we were kids. I thought it was a great nostalgic present. It looks the same, same games, and same sounds. Only thing to note: It is much smaller than the original but is comfortable to hold and play. Came with batteries so it can be used immediately. If you know this game from the 80's, other than smaller, exactly the same and still entertaining.

I love this toy! I never actually owned this toy back in the day, but it seem like half of all households in the 80s had one of these units. As stated, this toy has 6 fun games. Yea, the games are relatively simple, but are still as addictive as ever. This new Merlin reminds me of a phone or remote control which is a breath of fresh air because the old Merlin was just too bulky for this day and age. The reddish-orange glow on the buttons is attractive and the voice and sound effects are clear, pleasant, and at the right volume.

Anyways, I think kids of all ages will enjoy this. Heck treat yourself if you're an adult too. You probably will own this longer than your next iPod / iPhone/ iPad. Hopefully, the sequel, Master Merlin, will get updated and re-released one of these days too.

I too had a Merlin as a child and I loved it. I have been looking for a Merlin for years and I finally found it. I recently bought 2 and I am glad I did. My newphews are always playing with them. The memory game helps them out a lot. The older Merlins were bigger, and the buttons on this Merlin are raised, (the older ones weren't), but it's the same Merlin. I recieved my Merlin in the time that I was told. Great product.

MERLIN IS THE BEST !!! BOTH GRANDSON'S 6 & 4 1/2 LOVE TO PLAY WITH IT !! GREAT INVESTMENT FOR LONG TIME PLEASURE .

Merlin keeps resurfacing over hte years and the kids enjoy playing it, as did I when I was younger.