Mashin' Max Game

I received this item free of charge through a review company. The opinions expressed here are solely mine based on my own personal experience with this item and are in no way influenced by the manufacturer or retailer. This games is fairly easy to assemble, the instructions include pictures and written directions. The berries are cardboard push outs. The game is recommended for ages 4 and up. My 4 year old likes to play with this but he doesn't exactly follow the directions he just like moving the critters around and smashing them with max. The directions on how to play were a bit confusing to me. I had to read through them a few times to understand how to play, I think it is a little confusing for smaller children (under 5). A few problems that I encountered with the game is difficulty getting the smashing arm to stay up, you have to move it up several times before it catches. Another issue is that max came off of the base several times. It is all very easily put back together though. It does not need batteries so that is a plus. Also just to note as far as who goes first the instructions state who ever can make the best max face. So you would want to make up some rules for your house on who goes first. This would probably be better for children 6 and up however my 4 year old does like to play with it by himself. It comes with 3 different "critters" each is a set of 3. So the game is for 2 to 3 players. When max's hand mashes the critter it does place the critter inside the hand. Overall this is an average game that is ok for playing.

I thought this game would be fun for my 4 year old boy and he seemed very excited to play. He could not wait to see Max Mash the critters! Max comes in pieces and you have to build Max by assembling his arms and feet and place him on the board as well as adding the 3 tree stumps. You will have to take him apart after each use to put back in the box. Putting Max together was simple and my son helped. To play the game you move a little snail on the side and it spins max around and then he stops and his arm is released and he smashes his fist down. This is done at the start of every turn. Well....Max's arm either didn't come down, or would come down right away knocking all the pieces of the board as he spun. It worked properly only about 1/2 the time. So, I was having to play the game and hold Max while the kids pulled the snail back for their turn. My son was frustrated and did not want to play anymore. When I went to put Max back in the box, he would not come apart. the feet came off and one arm, but not the mashin' arm. We could not get this apart "gently" as instructions indicate. I think this is a great idea and when it works the kids laugh but seemed more frustrating than fun. Bummer!