MARBLE DROP

Reviewed By: Carole Stewart McDonnell
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: PC, MAC
Produced by: Maxis
Price Range: $25-35
Learning curve time: 30 min.
Age level: 7+
ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults
System Requirements: 486DX, 8MB RAM, 36MB disk space, SVGA, 2X CD-ROM drive, Windows 3.1, Sound Blaster s.c.

Genre: Arcade
Christian Rating: 5 of 5
   (nothing offensive)
Gameplay: 5 of 5
   (excellent)
Violence: 5 of 5
   (none)
Adult Content: 5 of 5
   (none)

Ever played with marbles as a kid? Or billiards? Remember Wile E Coyote and his inventions? Ever seen those Rube Goldberg inventions? “Marble Drop” will bring such memories back. The goal of the game is to drop a marble through a series of labyrinthine loops and through patience, observance, efficiency, timing and judgement, cause the right marble to land in the right place at the right time. The looping path is covered with obstacles that can flip switches, change diverters, trap players in infinite loops, destroy marbles or send them off into oblivion, from whence they may or may never return. The mini-games --each named after a philosopher-- get progressively harder as the player advances and each mini-game can be saved and returned to at a later time.

Of course this is a Maxis game so keeping track of resources is important. You don't want to run out of marbles or money.

There are many perpetual-motion machine games that are primarily about the mechanics of movement, levers and physics. Another game, "The Incredible Machine", more reminiscent of Rube Goldberg inventions, and a bit more complicated, is also on the market. But my favorite of this genre is "Marble Drop". It's fun and non-violent and one gets a daily does of philosophy and physics.

Year of Release—1995

This game is a blast. It is zany, funny and goofy. The gameplay is fun. The graphics are tasteful. The sound is appropriate. There is nothing objectionable to this game. Anyone who loves puzzle games would love this. My Ratings: [5/5]
—Mark Arndt, age 16

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.