Price: free
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 94/100
version reviewed: 1.1
reviewed:
What it is: 2 sets of puzzles with cartoon characters: shapes (6 scenes, about 10 pictures/characters each, 6, 12 o 12+ pieces each) and 'classic' (6 scenes, 6, 12 or 20 pieces each scene).
What you do with it: slide the pieces into place to complete the picture or character (in the shapes mode) or the scene (in the classic mode).
What we liked: bright colorful illustrations, number of puzzles, varied difficulty levels, no distracting elements.
What we didn't like: the puzzles are a bit static. The completed puzzles are not marked as 'done'. A bit annoying background music. The app could be a bit 'snappier'.
Free preview: if you are not sure, please see our 'See before you buy' video (below) or try the free version of the Cartoon Puzzles by Brave Tomatoes.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: free
Overall Score: 93/100
version reviewed: 1.0.3
reviewed:
What it is: a set of 6 beautifully illustrated puzzles.
What you do with it: Just slide the pieces in place!
What we liked: concept, beautiful illustrations, background music, two difficulty levels (with and without rotation), simple operation.
What we didn't like: we missed spoken instructions, a little too expensive for just 6 scenes.
Appysmarts
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 1.99$
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 92/100
version reviewed: 1.1
reviewed:
What it is and what you do with it: 5 sets of puzzles. 5 themes: school, farm, vacation, tales and furry animals (10 scenes for each theme). 3 difficulty levels (12, 20 or 36 pieces).
Extra feature: create your own puzzles from images from the camera or Photo Gallery.
What we liked: number and variety of themes/scenes. The option to create your own puzzles (but see the note below). Ease of use.
What we didn't like: the scenes must be unlocked one by one. Puzzles created with the Puzzle Creator cannot be saved for later use.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: free
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 90/100
version reviewed: 1.4
reviewed:
What it is: A set of 27 puzzles containing various imaginary machines.
What you do with it: combine sets of pulleys, gears, belts, weights (plus some air-puffing and fire-breathing creatures) into working 'inventions' (imaginary machines for launching rockets, cleaning pigs, pulling cars etc.).
What we liked: the concept, variety of puzzles, humor, funny characters, illustrations, sounds and sound effects.
What we didn't like: could have more educational value (e.g. could include explanations how the 'machinery' works). We missed some sort of audio or visual clues (to help complete the more difficult 'inventions' - otherwise we recommend parental assitance).
Bottom line: an excellent brain-teaser with lots of clever puzzles and ... humor. We just wish there were more puzzles!
Appysmarts
Android
Android
Android
Android
Android
Price: 1.99$ (was 2.99$)
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 90/100
version reviewed: 1
reviewed:
What it is: about 40 jigsaw puzzles, 5 levels of difficulty (from 1 to 25 pieces each puzzle). An option to create your own puzzles from photographs/pictures available in the Photo Gallery on the device.
What you do with it: complete the puzzles by sliding the pieces into place. In the 'easy' mode the names of an object will be read out once the object is in place.
What we liked: number of scenes/puzzles. Varied difficulty levels (the 'easy' mode is OK even for the youngest kids). The option to create your own puzzles. The clue button in the most difficult mode. Easy to use. No distracting elements.
What we didn't like: we weren't impressed with the illustrations. The interface could be more consistent. The reward system (balloon popping) will not provide too much incentive.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 2.99$
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 89/100
version reviewed: 1.0
reviewed:
What it is and what you do with it:a storybook (about 22 pages long) with additional features.
Two reading modes (read to yourself and listen to the narration). Tap objects on pages for extra interactions. Special 'puzzle' mode with 20 piece jigsaw puzzles (for every page).
What we liked: the story. Beautiful artwork. Simple interactions complementing the storyline. Sounds and sound backgrounds. Ease of use. Multiple language versions included in the price.
What we didn't like: 'more games' and 'feedback' links easily accessible from the main page. The reading features could be better (no word highlighting, no 'tap to read a word' feature).
Appysmarts
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 2.99$
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 89/100
version reviewed: 1.3
reviewed:
What it is: a set of animated puzzles (4 scenes, 2 pieces each puzzle) for learning color names, a 'colors' sing-along plus a simple mini-game.
What you do with it: match the puzzle pieces by the color (e.g. white chicken+white egg, brown bunny+brown bear, pink socks+pink shoes, red pail+red shovel).
What we liked: the concept. Simple illustrations and animations. Good narration. Ease of use. The extras (the Colors Song and the mini-game).
What we didn't like: we wish there was more content/color pairs. No spoken instructions.
Appysmarts
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 0.99$
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 1.0
reviewed:
What it is: 3 simple activities: memory game (2 levels of difficulty: 8 or 12 cards), 6 jigsaw puzzles (3 levels of difficulty, from 6 to 24 pieces) and spot the difference game (2 levels of difficulty, from 3 to 6 details).
What you do with it: choose the game, then the difficulty level and the picture/scene and complete the activity.
What we liked: nice illustrations. Ease of use (but please see the note below).
What we didn't like: no spoken instructions, no background music (the app is very 'silent'). Navigation could be more intuitive. We wish there were more pictures/scenes. No clues in the Spot The Difference game.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 2.99$
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 1.0
reviewed:
What it is: A set of 37 puzzles containing various imaginary machines.
What you do with it: combine sets of pulleys, gears, belts, weights (plus some air-puffing and fire-breathing creatures) into working 'inventions' (imaginary machines for washing laundry, turning on lights etc.). Other puzzles require connecting wires, building a road, building a clock etc. There are two difficulty modes (in the 'difficult' mode the puzzles will contain extra 'fake' pieces).
What we liked: the concept, variety of puzzles, humor, funny characters, illustrations, sounds and sound effects.
What we didn't like: could have more educational value (e.g. could include explanations how the 'machinery' works). We missed some sort of audio or visual clues (to help complete the more difficult 'inventions', therefore we recommend parental assistance).
Free preview: if you are not sure, please see our 'See before you buy' video (below) or try the free version of the app.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: free
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 1.1
reviewed:
What it is: a set of 7 puzzles with dinosaurs.
What you do with it: Slide pieces in place to complete the puzzles (up to 15 pieces each). After the puzzle is finished listen to the dinosaurs name and the sound it makes and watch it move (a simple animation will be played).
What we liked: beautiful illustrations (the dinosaurs are funny, not scary!), easy navigation.
What we didn't like: the puzzles could be a little easier to assemble, especially for younger kids (now the pieces must be aligned rather precisely and sometimes it is difficult to make out which pieces are not in place). Only 7 puzzles.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
