Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tower-toppling app is nearly as fun as the board game.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Jenga
What's It About?
Much as with the board game, players must remove blocks from a stack and replace them on top. Although shaky hands aren't an issue here, players still must carefully choose their moves. Select a block by tapping it, and then carefully remove it from the stack by swiping it out -- something that often takes several swipes. The block will automatically hover above the tower and then drop on top when tapped again. Pick the wrong block or pull too forcefully and you'll knock the tower down -- and lose the game.
Is It Any Good?
JENGA doesn't seem to be a natural fit for an app, but NaturalMotion does a terrific job of building an electronic version of this classic -- thanks in large part to its terrific physics engine, which causes the blocks to react as they would in the real world. Is it more fun than the game you play with friends around a table? No. But it's as close as you can come. The pass-and-play mode is the best mode -- since playing Jenga alone isn't a fulfilling experience. And the new arcade mode, with colors and a timer, is a great spin on the single-player game that makes it fun to play when you're alone. It's nice to be able to play with friends who aren't in the immediate room, but there are some safety concerns there. Still, at its core, this is a terrific game.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of strategy. A game such as chess is a great way to practice.
Play the real-world version of Jenga to compare and contrast the experiences.
Build a tower out of household objects to demonstrate the need for a solid base.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Release date : December 9, 2010
- Genre : Board Games
- Publisher : NaturalMotion Games Ltd.
- Version : 1.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 3.2 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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