Game: Perfection

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whoami — 2008-11-02T14:47:59+00:00

Game

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whoami — 2008-11-02T14:46:53+00:00

Game

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trioker — 2008-06-19T23:52:49+00:00

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trioker — 2008-06-19T23:50:50+00:00

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LankyEngineer — 2008-06-09T11:37:04+00:00

US patent number US3710455

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swuyau — 2008-05-26T10:53:01+00:00

component

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swuyau — 2008-05-26T09:47:37+00:00

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swuyau — 2008-05-26T09:46:50+00:00

cover

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eightbit — 2008-04-22T00:57:21+00:00

solo play

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eightbit — 2008-04-22T00:39:22+00:00

co op play

Thread: One Of My Children's Favortie Solo Games

Wyll — 2008-01-30T21:06:35+00:00

My kids never cease to amaze me.

A few years back, they received Perfection as a gift. Lady X was too young for it at the time, but she pulled it out last year and at the tender age of 5, learned how fun it could be.

I found it even more amusing that Princess S took a shine to the game. At the age of 4, she makes me wind it up and push the STOP button so she can put the pieces in without pressure. Once she is done, she flicks the game into motion and waits for the game to pop the pieces out.

Initial Thoughts

Some will argue if this is a game at all. I call it a timed dexterity challenge as opposed to a game. I do not remember sitting down with my friends and seeing who can do it the fastest (as the rules suggest), but playing the game by myself and trying to beat the timer.

Object Of The Game

The player who matches all 25 shapes the fastest is declared the winner.

Components

Inside the box, the pop-up unit and 25 geometric shapes.

Nothing much to say about the art. The game has remained relatively unchanged since I was first sold in 1973, but I think that is a good thing. Why mess with something that isn’t broken?

Gameplay

A player is chosen to go first (if playing in a group).

The switch on the pop-up unit is set to STOP and the 25 pieces are placed next to the pop-up unit. The timer dial is turned clockwise until it stops at “0”. The tray of the pop-up unit is pushed down and the unit is ready for play.

On a player’s turn, they start by moving the switch to Start. As the timer ticks down, the player must place as many of the shapes as possible into the tray in their proper spaces. If they finish before the timer runs out, they flick the switch to STOP and note what number the timer arrow is pointing to. That is the time that must be beaten. If they do not finish before the timer runs out (and the tray “pops”), they are award a time score of “60 seconds” and their turn is over. Play passes to the player on the left.

When all players have had a turn, the one who matched all 25 shapes in the shortest time win.

Young Children Rule – The rules suggest to let young children to play without the timer, so they get use to matching the shapes. As I noted earlier, this is how Princess S likes to play.

Strategy v.s. Luck Factor

One strategy that comes up is a few discussion getting to know the board well. Over the years I have played this game, I have yet to get really familiar with the board.

I have seen people cheat by casually arranging a few pieces close to the pop-up tray before they begin. Anything to shave off a few seconds… yeesh.

Closing Thoughts

Part of me wants to give this a thumbs-up just for the childhood memory factor, but I wouldn’t pay full retail for it.

I watched my kids play the game and it is not one they play often, but they do enjoy playing it when they pull it out. Sometimes, we’ll play as a team and try to beat the clock together.

In the end, if you have fun memories of the game as a kid and you child likes puzzles, then picking up this game second hand might be an idea.

Recommendation Summary

Wyll's Recommendation:

Fun Factor (5 Point Scale):

Rule Clarity (5 Point Scale):

Bang For Buck Factor (5 Point Scale):

One Line Summary: A timed dexterity challenge that is suitable for ages 4 and up.

Thread: User Review

potterama — 2005-01-27T13:31:34+00:00

Game Review: Perfection

The Quick and Dirty: 'Perfection' may not be necessary. 'Adequate' will do.

Rules/Mechanics: The game takes place on a chunky rectangular 'board,' really a thick electronicdevice consisting of a switch, a timer, and a tray with cut-outs which fit twenty-five different plastic geometric shapes (included). Players take turns. On his or her turn, the player removes all the pieces from the board (the simple expedient of turning the board upside down works just fine), turns the timer to '0', and presses the board down firmly to 'set' it in the lowered position (note: considerable leverage may be necessary, particularly in brand new games with stiff springs...small children may need help). When ready, the switch is moved to the "start" position, and the timer dial will begin counting down (with an audible, and quite intimidating clicking sound). The player must then set the plastic pieces into their apporpriate slots on the gameboard as rapidly as possible. If the player successfully accomplishes this task, he or she moves the switch to the "stop" position, and the time displayed on the dial is noted. If the player fails to complete the task before time runs out, the board will pop upwards, throwing the pieces all over the place. The player with the shortest time wins.

Strategy: There are multiple strategies to consider in the game of Perfection, most notably in the way one approaches the task of sorting the pieces. I strongly suggest brushing a hand lightly over the pieces to separate them *before* starting the timer, though such maneuvers may be at one's opponent's discretion. Certain shapes -- the multi-flanged star, for instance, or the distinctive full-circle, may be easier to identify quickly and should probably be placed first in order to clear the playing field of distractions. I believe there is also a considerable psychological advantage to going first, since one is then merely playing the clock, rather than the clock *and* an opponent's time (although others may suggest the opposite is true, and that it is better to know one's target time up front). As with any dexterity game, practice will assist greatly in completing this puzzle in the shortest time possible.

Components: The pieces are brightly colored hard plastic, and attractive to young eyes. Of note is the game's central 'pop-up' mechanism, which can stand up to considerable punishment and should offer years of reliable service.

Remarks: Perfection is another early dexterity game, and useful in its way for challenging small hands and teaching shape recognition, spatial acuity, and similar skills. However, it does have a lot of small pieces which can be easily misplaced, so smaller players should be supervised. As a child, I found the relentless ticking of the timer quite intimidating, and therefore practiced often with the timer in the "off" position before I would allow myself a timed session. Parents should keep an eye out for possible frustration. However, once one has a grasp of the basic pieces and their relative position on the board, the sixty-second time limit should be more than adequate, and the challenge becomes either beating an opponent's time or beating one's own best time (clearly, the game offers solo play possibilities). Ultimately, expect the child to move on to games with more variety, but for the investment this isn't a bad starter on the road to dexterity-game mastery.

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